Q: Hi David! I love your new song, “IM YOURS” (pretty sure I’ve heard on on Tiktok before!). It has the perfect mix of old-school acoustic with a modern flare. What do you hope listeners take away from listening to this track?
DAVID LEE: Thank you very much! When I create music, my main goal is to make it resonate with people. Writing and producing music for me isn’t just about expressing my emotions; it’s also about creating a connection with the audience. In this case, I want listeners to grasp the bittersweet message within the song. It’s all about providing reassurance to someone even when things are falling apart.
Q: What did you enjoy most about making “IM YOURS”?
DAVID LEE: The most rewarding aspect of crafting music, for me, is the ability to communicate my emotions in a way that feels natural to me. I’ve always been more of an introverted individual, often dedicating my time to making music in my bedroom. It serves as a form of release, knowing that I’ve generated something that precisely captures a feeling.
Q: From the lyrics (and title), “IM YOURS” seems to be a love song to someone special, but there’s also lines about you getting replaced. Did any real-life events occur in your life that inspired the song?
DAVID LEE: Interestingly, when I wrote the song, I wasn’t actually living through the emotions I depicted in the lyrics. When I started playing the chords on the piano, I instantly felt this melancholic or “blue” sensation, which ended up shaping the words I wrote. The song stemmed from the fear of potentially losing the person I was in a relationship with, rather than being a direct reflection of my personal experiences. Nevertheless, it’s true that every relationship encounters its share of challenges and differences, and I’ve undoubtedly faced my own set of those.
Q: The production and writing on “IM YOURS” sound so silky smooth and professional. Walk us through your writing and production process in making the track.
DAVID LEE: I started with the electric piano with the chords and then added the drums. I wanted to go for an older sounding production but with modern elements to keep it modern. I chopped up a sample from a 50s doo whop group and slowed it down so it would give this eerie vibe to the song. I also had guitar including hits on the 2 and 4 in the verses. The drums were also an older sample that I chopped up to fit the groove of the base. Usually I like a song that sounds super produced, but for this song I felt like this was all it needed.
Q: I’m always intrigued by an artist’s journey. Do you remember who first got you into music? Was your family musical growing up?
DAVID LEE: My parents never did music growing up so sometimes I wonder where I got it from too. During my early years, my mom took me to a fair where I witnessed a teenage band performing on stage. Immediately I ran to my mom and told her that I wanted to play on stage. So soon after she got me guitar lessons and the rest is history.
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take three albums, what would they be?
DAVID LEE: Certainly, that’s a tough choice, but if I had to decide, my first pick would be “Bad” by Michael Jackson. While I’m a fan of all his albums, this one holds a special place in my heart. Every track is a banger, but “Man in the Mirror” remains an all-time favorite for me. As for my second choice, it would be “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns N’ Roses. This album is undeniably amazing, and it brings back cherished memories of enjoying it with my Dad during my childhood. Interestingly, I even had the opportunity to open a show for Guns N’ Roses’ bassist, performing at the iconic Whiskey A GO GO. Lastly, my third pick would be my own debut album, “Before It’s Too Late.” I genuinely feel it’s almost perfect, and its creation marked a significant achievement for me. I took charge of writing, producing, singing, and playing all the parts. Every song resonates with me, and I take immense pride in it.
Q: Speaking of Tiktok earlier, I’m curious about your take on social media (specifically tiktok) and its effect on today’s artists. Many have told me it’s hard as they seem to “need” a tiktok or social media even if they don’t want to, but it’s somewhat needed in this age.
DAVID LEE: Tiktok sucks to be honest. No I’m kidding but for me I’m not the biggest fan of putting my personal life on social media. This day and age requires it though. Also from an artist standpoint it’s hard to compete with other big acts on social media. There are a lot of great musicians whose music is not being heard while on the other hand, there’s a lot of influencers (with not so good music) being heard. I see it as part of the journey though. However I wouldn’t be where I am today without my FAMLEE and fans. I love being able to engage with them which is something artists couldn’t do before this modern era.
Q: What is coming up next for you?
DAVID LEE: Currently, I’m part of a boy band called ‘Bout Last Night, a journey that started a little over a year ago. We’re gearing up to release music in the near future. I’m genuinely proud of the songs we’ve created, and I’m eagerly excited for the fans to hear it. Additionally, I have plans to arrange a couple of live shows later this year. These shows will mark a celebration of my debut EP, “THE END.” I’m definitely super excited for these next few months.
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
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