American singer/songwriter David Greyson takes you on a journey through the climatic end of the summer of his life on his 2017 mixtape “Summer’s Over”. With a diverse list of influences like Drake and Lana Del Rey, Greyson tells an epic story while not letting genre restrict him.
“Summer’s Over” serves as a declaration of self love and acceptance of the person that Greyson has become after an eventful past few years, whilst acknowledging the darkness and pain that he felt was necessary to write about as it was his motivation to get to where he is today.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Well, I was born in Boca Raton, Florida and lived there until I was 7. My mother and father were struggling with addiction and financially, so we moved to a small town in Tennessee to be closer to be my father’s family. I probably would have been better off having a music career in Boca, but I found my love for making music in some dark times in Tennessee. Things were rough – my mother and father had divorced, my mother got custody of me and my 3 siblings and was still heavily struggling with addiction. I was 13 when it broke me. There were of course other aspects that came into play – bullying, insecurities, sexuality – but I had decided to take my life. I was writing my suicide note when a song came on that inspired me. It was like a fire came alive I guess. I realized the power of revival in music and wanted to give that to others. I’ve been doing it every day ever since that day.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
I think all aspiring artists need to realize the reality of the music industry: there are ten million other people just like you trying to get noticed. If you’re wanting gigs, or airplay, or any type of exposure you need to make your content something that YOU would genuinely be interested in. I listen to my own music all the time – for fun and because I’m constantly critiquing myself! I strive to grow and learn from my mistakes, and create something bigger and better with each project. Everything has to be unique to myself as an artist and genuine to myself as a person. Don’t try to be better than anyone but who you were yesterday and what you put out.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour?
I actually have not been on tour yet! With the release of my mixtape “Summer’s Over”, I have been working on my follow up project. It’s bigger and better than anything I’ve done. Definitely expect a tour for that.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
People outside of this industry may think you’re uber-modern taking selfies all the time and posing to social media, but today’s media is ran online. The best way to promote your music is to promote yourself and do it online. I am just getting back into social media after a hiatus, but I can’t stress how important it is the have an online presence as an artist. It doesn’t matter whether it’s big or small, get your name out their whenever, where ever you can.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
If I could perform with any artist anywhere, I think I would have to say Angel Haze. She has been so inspirational to me as an artist and as a person, so it would be amazing to even meet her. And where? Where she is! I’ll perform anywhere with her.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
It’s been a crazy year. Very eventful. There have been lows and highs. I wrote about it all on “Summer’s Over”. And, well, that’s over. Anyone would assume “Winter Is Coming”, but, as the story unfolds on the mixtape, you’ll realize that for me winter means something different. I am working up a follow up to “Summer’s Over” – a project to take mainstream. On it you can expect me to explore winter a bit. The next chapter for David Greyson is embracing the cold.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t making music… Let’s not think about that! I don’t know what I would do. I’ll keep doing it until the day I die even if there’s no one listening. I feel as if it’s my purpose, so I don’t really consider there to be any other option.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
I am always growing as a person an as an artist. There is a unique ability that I admire in a few people that allows them to recreate themselves. For me, I am in a constant state of rebirth, but I feel like I’m finally blooming. I think my fans can look forward to listening and watching that happen. I worked hard 2017 and I did some great stuff, but I can already say 2018 is going to be epic
