THE SOUL OF CHICAGO AND THE GRIT OF HOLLYWOOD HAVE FINALLY COME TOGETHER
A world-class live performer, Cavalier became an instant draw in the local Hollywood music scene as a solo artist after moving west from Chicago in 2010 at the age of 23. He dedicated his talents for over two years as guitarist for the electro pop rock duo, STAMPS, touring nationally & frequently being featured on popular websites & blogs, such as PerezHilton.com. In 2014, his passion for singing, writing, and arranging brought him to the famed EastWest Studios, formerly Cello Studios, to record his debut solo E.P., “HOWL,” with producer & Grammy nominee, Hal Winer. Released independently in early 2015 on his own label, AudioFrame Entertainment, “HOWL” seamlessly blends the raw energy of his wildly impassioned & emotive live sets with the articulate hand of a skilled songwriter. Since the Ep release, Cavalier has performed with Don Henley, Aloe Blacc, Kendrick Lamar, Manchester Orchestra, Local H, Brand New & many more at festivals across the country. His playing style has been compared to modern day bluesman, Gary Clark Jr, and even guitar icon, Jimi Hendrix, creating an emotionally raw and visceral live atmosphere for audiences with an undercurrent that is seductive & stylish. Deemed “LA Blues” for its frequent lyrical references to the unique tribulations of life in Hollywood, Cavalier has created a niche in a landscape of disposable music & entertainment that is decidedly individual.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Dave Cavalier: Well, I’m originally from Chicago, IL. When I was a kid, my mom loved the blues, so she always had on some BB King or Nat King Cole record while she’d sing along in the kitchen. My dad was a guitar player. He introduced me to The Beatles & Dylan and owned a music store so I more or less grew up surrounded by walls of guitars. I fell in love with the blues early but I also grew up stealing my older brother’s Nirvana & Pearl Jam records. By the time the performance bug bit me in 6th grade, I was already hooked.
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Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
DC: I think the industry is still in flux but streaming is more than likely the way of the future for a while. I think online music sharing has been an incredible way for unsigned, independent musicians to gain exposure like cassette mixtapes did for an entire generation before this one, but it’s a real struggle for those same musicians to make enough money to become self-sufficient professionals. Since the value of recorded music has declined, we’ve all needed to stay flexible. I’ve given away my music for free but I hope I won’t have to forever. In the meantime, you try to monetize elsewhere, keep writing great songs and just keep building your fanbase.
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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?
DC: Write great songs. I know it sounds cliché, but that’s because it’s true. Yes, you need to figure out how to meet people who are smarter than you, make “good†mistakes so you can learn & gain experience and understand how to digest criticism, but in the end, it all comes down to the songs. So, write everyday for at least 10min & work on growing as a human being. Enjoy the journey & let your stories fuel your songs. Everything beyond that is just sharing it with the world, trial & error and hanging around long enough to get your break.
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Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
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DC: Haha, I’ve made PLENTY. I think the best thing I learned from the jazz community was that, “There are no wrong notes.†When you’re in the moment, there’s no time to focus on what you did or didn’t play right, you just focus on what you’re going to play next & how it all makes you & the crowd feel. Sometimes you play the “mistake†twice or three times in a row & all the sudden, to the audience, it becomes intentional. I’ve tripped on pedals and fallen backward on stage mid guitar solo, but you pop up, smile and keep rocking cuz that’s all you can do. Those humanizing moments can really connect you to an audience, I think, too. End of the day, as soon as you take the stage it isn’t about you anymore, it’s all about the audience, so focusing on your mistakes doesn’t help as much as trying to make the crowd move with whatever notes you have left.
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Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
DC: I do tour & it’s one of the most fulfilling things about playing music, in my opinion. There’ve been plenty of stories over the years, some of which I’ll keep in the vault for now (laughs) but my favorite ones truly are about meeting fans. I get messages on social media from people I’ve met all across the country telling me they decided to sing in their talent show or started writing music & it breathes life into what I do. You want to go up there and give something to someone they can take with them when the show is over & knowing you have? It’s really amazing.
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Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
DC: I think you always have to draw from real life experience. Most of the time, you draw from a personal memory that you stretch and exaggerate into something impactful lyrically. I write the best music when I’m happy and the best lyrics when I’m sad. If the music is there first, I try to listen and dissect how the melodies & changes make me feel and somewhere in that space I can usually begin brain dumping words & phrases to get the train rolling. I rewrite constantly.
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Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
DC: Yeah, my website is www.davecavalier.com . As far as online platforms, my recent release, The “HOWL†EP, is available across all digital outlets, like iTunes & Spotify. You can follow me on Facebook (/davecavalier), Instagram (@davecavalier), Twitter (@dcavaliermusic), Snapchat (@davecavalier) & watch videos on YouTube (/davecavalierofficial).
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Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
DC: (Laughs) Probably my old demos from high school. Ooof. Some of those are rough.
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Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
DC: Travel. I’d country hop like a frog on a lily pad. Beyond music, I love nothing more than having an adventure.
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Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
DC: Social media is a necessary constant and every month I try to send an update to my email list. Blogs, weekly magazines & anywhere else we can get some traction locally & regionally is always a huge plus.
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Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
DC: My dream gig has always been to perform with my acoustic guitar at Millennium Park in Chicago backed up by the Chicago Philharmonic. I always thought that place had some kind of magic and being from Chicago, it obviously holds a special place in my heart. Naturally, John Lennon is more than welcome to join me, haha.
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Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
DC: Dave Cavalier Trio is constantly performing all around Los Angeles and will be back on the road this Spring. I’ll be releasing some new material around Christmas time, as well. In January 2017, I’ll be launching a new side project, Dave Cavalier & The Elemeno Pea, so you’ll want to keep an eye out on social media for more updates & music.
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Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
DC: My mom’s work with nonprofits has offered me some really incredible experiences internationally doing humanitarian work. If I couldn’t play music, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d spend some time volunteering out of the country.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
DC: Man, my first one?? I can’t even remember what that was, haha. I do remember one time when I was younger and I went to purchase Bone Thugs & Harmony’s “E. 1999 Eternal†at a record store in the mall. It felt like a big deal because I was definitely not of age for “explicit material.†I got home and was so excited to listen to “Crossroads†and realized I had bought the wrong Bone Thugs CD. So disappointing…turned out to be a great record though, ha.
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Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
DC: It’s a challenge, I won’t lie. I think, like anything, you make time for the things and people that mean the most to you & then just work your ass off in between. What’s important is having a clear plan so while you’re working toward your ultimate goals, you can still enjoy the journey & the process. Trying to become a professional musician is a long & difficult road but if you make the decision to pursue your passions, a little bit of discipline will help make it all happen.
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Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
DC: New, louder recordings, more festival appearances, more musical collaborations & more chances to connect with each other. I know I’m looking forward to meeting new people and hearing their stories and traveling as far as the roads will take me. It’s gonna be fun, I’m excited.
