What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I guess my environment. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and all my friends bought records & CDs. We just took it all in like oxygen. Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
Introduce us to Spud Davenport and your musical history.
I’ve played drums, piano & guitar since I was a small punk and the songwriting came basically after playing in a lot of bands that couldn’t write good songs! And I’ve played in a bunch of bands that went nowhere!! I am a bona fide Rock Satirist and my fourth album, Songs For The Cynical, drops in late January 2023.
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
As well as most indie artists in this day & age, I guess. I was doing this before the Internet so, yea, a lot has changed.
How have your songwriting skills developed over time?
It’s like the old joke; the kid asks a guy on the street “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The guy says “Practice – practice – practice.” I think I’m writing my best stuff at this particular period. I’ve figured out how to “put a happy face on bad times”… ha
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
Videos. Engaging content (art). And a lot of it. I try & think outside the box. I built 4 life-sized puppets for the music video I’m finishing up right now for the first single, “Home For The Headaches”. It should be a monster.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
I am a craft beer snob, I love baseball and I’m a huge Britney Spears fan. Sorry, that was 3 truths 😉
What’s your thought on Spotify monopoly on the music industry?
Not a big fan. But it’s something we all have to deal with (put up with) for the time being.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
I do NOT. I am a fact-based, empathetic person. Quite the opposite of my parents.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
More beer & alcohol than I probably needed, but WTH …hahaha
What was the worst experience on stage?
Acoustic gigs? People talking. Bla bla bla bla bla. Why go to a musical event if you just want to hear yourself talk? There’s plenty of bars w/o someone trying to entertain. Electric gigs? Hhhmmmmm except for the occasional bad soundman, they’re usually a gas!
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I started out as a Prog Rock drummer (and I still LOVE Prog Rock). And I have my own Radio Station promoting new & old bands that are in the “Rock Satire” world. SatireRockCity.com – I do a weekly Show there too!
What makes you stand out as an artist?
I don’t know. I have a full head of hair. I often sing funny songs with a true moral to the story. There are few artists doing what I do.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
Well, this new album, Songs For The Cynical, has taken me years to finish. Granted, I’ve been doing sessions on drums and I released an album in 2015 with my buddy Charlie Recksieck, Won by Leaders In The Clubhouse, so I’ve been distracted 😉 but the record is now IN MY HANDS and the public will soon get a taste.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.
My process is simple. I put myself in the shoes of that knucklehead over there and make something fun & thought-provoking. I subconsciously try to have some “takeaway” or moral to my stories. You’ll need to tell me if it worked…
What was the recording process like?
Oh man, I did the whole thing at my longtime friend Andy Machin’s BigRock Studios in Escondido, CA. This record has a bunch of drums & electric guitars which, really, is what Andy & I like to do. The Leaders record, Charlie & I had a ton of buddies on it. This one, only a select few. Like singer Mary Grasso singing my closer, Let’s Lead Together. That’s a special one.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
For one thing, let them sit around & see if ya like them in a year or two. That worked great! There’s nothing on this album that I would throw away. And I NEVER feel that way 😉
Would you change anything now that it’s finished?
There’s always a guitar that’s too loud or a backing vocal that’s not loud enough… ya know, there’s always gonna be something… but I am very happy with the whole enchilada.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Yeah. There is ONE RACE, folks. It’s the HUMAN RACE. We’re all brothers & sisters on this planet. Wake up & start treating people like you would like to be treated. Rock on, love much, and live well. And please, tip your waitress!! Amen.
Thank you! – Spud
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