Every Step of The Way
🔀 Shuffle Sundays #80 • An interview with David Ward, and more!
This week I’m bringing something different and super special for you. Instead of just recommending David Ward’s new album “LoZ”, I decided to reach out to him and ask a few questions about the process of writing this new material. I really hope you like it, as this is not the usual weekly format that you’d find here, but it’s something I’d love to hopefully do more in the future. Enjoy the read!
🗣 » LoZ, by David Ward
an interview with David Ward on his new album, making music, his biggest influences, and the best ways to support an independent artist right now
When working on a new album, do you have a concept in mind, or do you work on each song separately and see where they take you? How is your process?
I’ve done both. With LoZ I had a few guiding statements I wrote early on that I would reference whenever I was feeling lost or discouraged. Some of them had to do with how I wanted myself, and the listener to feel, ie. “Does this give me goosebumps?” or “Does this make me want to dance?” Others had to do with arrangement and storytelling, ie. “Is every part here necessary?” or "Is this vocal telling the whole story?”
I really enjoyed that each single had its own cover art following the same identity. Do you feel that this is something more and more important these days in the singles/playlists age?
I’m so glad you enjoy the art. Visuals are really important to me and I’m lucky to work with a great team. I’ve had the same graphic designer for over 15 years! We always aim to keep things cohesive and we just happened to end up with a treasure trove of fantastic photographs from photographer Alex Townsend that helped make this easy for the singles. While I wasn’t consciously addressing the “playlist age” I think it’s interesting that you brought it up. I like the idea of making a map for potential fans.
When I first listened to LoZ, I automatically thought about Michael Jackson. Is he an inspiration to your music? Are we still even allowed to talk about him?
Of course he’s an inspiration but I’m not sure how conscious it is. He’s just always been around for me like he has for millions of others. When I was much younger and starting to explore creating my own choreography for a dance group I led at the time, I would study our beloved family Moonwalker VHS. As I get a little older, I notice there are artists that I tend to listen to once or twice a year, sometimes in concentrated little periods. These are artists that have contributed deeply to my foundation and growth as a creative, including MJ, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, Prince (although the last 5 years have been pretty Prince-heavy), Wilco, Joni, Miles… the list goes on.
I also thought about names like Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, and bands like Jamiroquai and The Reign of Kindo. Could you talk a little bit about less-obvious artists and how they influence you when working on new music?
I try to keep my listening habits broad. It’s almost a neurosis of mine. To try not to get stuck, or too narrow, or uninteresting in my tastes or choices as a creator. I don’t think I’m always aware of how it is all influencing me but hopefully, that soupy, swirling mess of influences comes out as something fresh.
In terms of “less-obvious artists”, there are often singers whose vocal inflections or ways of storytelling will get me to reconsider my own. My sister recently showed me Molly Drake and I’ve been inspired by the simplicity and depth of her voice and storytelling. On the last two albums, we did a lot of orchestral work, and because I don’t have the same fluidity of language in this sphere, I would reference artists like Bartok, or composers from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
What about non-music influences? Do you also find inspiration outside of music when you're writing?
Everything, everywhere, all the time. Certainly books, films, and magazines but really anything I am present enough to experience end up being mixed up and swirled around in my brain, where it may one day find itself on the page. The click of a turn signal could spur inspiration for a snare tone, or a conversation I’ve had could morph and find its way into a lyric.
Can you tell us about the album title LoZ? What does that mean?
LoZ is a nickname for Lauren. My wife’s name is Lauren. When she went traveling in Australia—where that nickname happens to be very popular—people she met started calling her that and she loved it. The nickname made her feel free of a certain version of herself. It allowed her the space to explore different sides of herself, particularly the fun-loving and carefree sides. Almost like a new identity. As the album took shape, more and more of the songs I was writing were based on this idea of freedom—the freedom to reclaim the parts of ourselves we often bury for fear of how we might appear to others. Those are often the best parts! As the great American author George Saunders said—who I was lucky enough to have voiced the opening track—this record is about finding that “luminous part of you.”
Knowing that artists make close to no money from streaming services, what is the best way for fans to support independent/new artists these days?
Thanks for asking that, Leo. Moving the economic needle for me would come from becoming a paid subscriber on my Substack at Adjusting the Dial, or becoming a Season ticket holder to my online/live music variety hour, David Ward’s Station 234 (tickets go on sale in November), or coming out to a show. Also, signing up for my newsletter is incredibly helpful because I get to speak directly with you. Of course, listening/streaming is always good. Bandcamp seems to be where people still buy music, and that helps.
Where can people find you online and listen to your beautiful music?
🔗 Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Website / Substack / Instagram
Thanks for taking the time to ask about my music, Leo. I appreciate all the love you’re spreading in sharing the music of others through your passion and writing.
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🧩 » Random Bits
📸 • some photos I took from a mind-blowing concert Black Midi played in Central Park last week;
🥁 • what if Blink-182 Wrote No Scrubs? Alex Melton strikes again!
👹 • Twenty One Pilots wrote Heathens originally for the Suicide Squad soundtrack, but they recently started playing the song live mixing it with sounds and images from Stranger Things, and it took the song to a whole different level.
⚡️ Visual Inspiration
Linda Valere is an artist and illustrator from Latvia whose surreal children's illustrations are both playful and beautifully touching at the same time. Check out her Instagram for more. Here are some favorites:
🎶 » New Music
this week’s new albums I'm curious to check out
Also, new singles from Perdido, Rosalía, Alex G, and many more. If you’re curious to hear some of these songs and more, make sure to follow my 2022 playlist on Spotify, updated weekly with new releases:
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Great interview and amazing photos from the Black MIDI show, Leo!
Love this format! Great interview and great music!