A Conversation With Kevin Davy White
A Conversation With Kevin Davy White
A Frenchman with an English-sounding name, Kevin Davy White’s story is as remarkable as his 1000-watt charisma. Growing up in Paris, he realised that his fusion of rock, blues and soul would be a better cultural fit on the other side of the English Channel.
After forming a rock band with the potential to go somewhere, Kevin took the band to London – but while he was willing to make sacrifices, the rest of the band soon drifted back home. Soon enough, Kevin was homeless in an unfamiliar country and things soon got worse when his suitcase was stolen during his first night on the streets.
In the middle of a nightmare, Kevin kept on dreaming. He earned a basic living by busking and dedicated his free time to constant songwriting. Step-by-step, his raw, raucous, rollickingly real talent started to be recognised. He appeared on the French edition of ‘The Voice’; made a big impact on The X Factor in the UK with stunning takes on songs by artists as varied as Rihanna, George Michael and Led Zeppelin; released two EPs; and toured his maximum rock ’n ’soul show all round the world, from Europe to New Zealand via Asia. Kevin Davy White’s touring continues this summer, with the following UK shows already confirmed.
NSGs Billy Vitch had the opportunity to catch up with Keven ahead of his summer shows to talk about his music journey and much more…
BV: Good morning Kevin and how are you, what have you been doing today and how’s that going?
KDW: Hello, I’m doing great thank you! I hope you’re doing well as well. It’s been a long weekend of recording at the studio because I’m working on my debut album, which is almost finished!
NSG: So I read recently that you grew up in Paris? I adore Paris! What area in Paris did you grow up and what was your childhood like?
KDW: Oh Lala, I’m glad to hear you “adore” Paris. To be fair, I grew up all over the place. I used to live in the northeast of Paris when I was a teenager. I have two sisters, so I grew up very much surrounded by strong women. We’re really close to each other. They taught me so much. I’d love to hear about your experience over there.
NSG: For a Parisian, you have a remarkably British-sounding name, what’s the story there?
KDW: I get this a lot haha. And, while the answer may be dull, my parents adore the names, Kevin and Davy. So it was simply fate that I would adopt this name.
NSG: You have just released your new single “Thousand Stars” which was entirely written, played, recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by yourself. That’s a hell of a skill set! How did you learn to do all this and why do you prefer to do it all yourself as opposed to hiring others to do it for you?
KDW: This is an excellent question. I am an inquisitive person. I’m fascinated by how things work. I started with the guitar,’ still’ trying to learn how to play it properly, and then I wanted to record myself, so I had to learn drums, bass, and piano. Then I learned that a song must be mixed and mastered. So, I learned by observing producers and sound engineers. It’s just so interesting, and I enjoy doing it all because I don’t have to wait to see the results.
NSG: At one point you came to England and settled in London and ended up homeless? Can you tell me how all that came about and how did this experience impact you as a person and a musician?
KDW: This gets right to the point. I began my England adventure in 2013. My rock band and I relocated there. It hadn’t worked out. But I felt something special here, so I was the only one who didn’t give up and just did some unprepared back and forth. It was only three days homeless. I didn’t want to ask anyone for anything, so I took my life into my hands and grew up from there, earning money from busking and then sofa surfing saving money to rent my own place. I’ve learned so much as a person and as an artist. How to get people to gather in the street. It was the best schooling ever.
(Kevin Davy White)
NSG: How would you describe your sound and who would you say has influenced you along the way?
KDW: My sounds represent everything I enjoy about music. Some rock, blues, funk, soul, and African rhythms. It is always difficult to describe by using genres. It’s just everything I’m feeling on the inside. My influences ranged from Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, and Lenny Kravitz to music from around the world.
NSG: You have appeared on the French edition of The Voice (The Voice: La plus belle voix) and The (X Factor) here in the UK and coming 3rd! Was it a good experience and what have been the pros and cons of appearing on such shows for you as an artist?
KDW: I did those shows and had a great time. I had no idea I’d come in third place. It just goes to show how powerful music is and how it knows no boundaries. I’d say music has its advantages and disadvantages and going on those doesn’t change much, you have to work even harder and build your own real fanbase and not just a television following, haha.
NSG: How did your music journey begin, was music something you’d always been interested in?
KDW: Every Sunday in my childhood, music was played in the house! My father enjoys listening to music from all over the world. So he trained my ears to listen to music without regard for genres. Then, when I was 19, he turned on the television and played Woodstock. And Jimi Hendrix completely blew me away. That sound just called out to me. By the way, he was performing, I saw an extension of himself. The best way to express yourself and share it with others. I just got it right away.
NSG: If you could sit down with three people from history, past or present, who would they be and why?
KDW: Oh la la, I love this question! I would sit with Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles and Neil Degrasse Tyson, we would talk about life experiences and mind-bending topics about the world and our universe.
NSG: You’re playing some UK festivals this summer. Where can we get to see you and what are you looking forward to the most about festival season?
KDW: Yes, I’m really looking forward to these summer shows! I will have the honour of being Lionel Richie‘s special guest at the Chepstow and Lytham Festival! I’ll also be performing at WeyFest, as well as playing at another festival in Hungary. I can’t wait to go on tour with my musicians! I have some more shows and festivals yet to announce!! So make sure you tune in to my social media pages for upcoming info! I have a very calm and polite character, but when I step on stage, I am truly in my element and I come alive! It’s the best feeling in the (my) world.
NSG: We’re a Liverpool-based publication as you know, so I have to ask, do you have any plans on playing with here anytime soon?
KDW: I have visited Liverpool a few times and the musical history of Liverpool is well-known around the world. I have always been interested in the history of artists and their backgrounds; I love The Beatles. I have no confirmed shows in the diary for Liverpool (yet!) but I will play wherever I am invited so if anyone reading this wants me to play then please send me an invitation, I’m ready! I will be playing some of my own intimate shows around the UK later in the year so keep an eye on my social media for more updates.
NSG: Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
KDW: I just wanted to thank you once more for your time. It was a pleasure to speak with you and to have the opportunity to share my experiences with others. I hope someone can relate and get a sense of who I am.
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