French producer and songwriter Dr. Dawsound is from Marseille, France. In his home studio, he works alone to compose, record, and perform. His unique quality is that he composes each song by hand, a la a classical musician, devoid of any loops or samples. He is a songwriter, topliner, and “classic” beatmaker. A Pop Dance with some vintage-inspired music is the end product. He works with other worldwide artists to provide voices because he is neither a singer nor a live performer. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
DR DAWSOUND: I am a songwriter and a producer from Marseille, France. I write since many years songs for local artits in many different style : Pop, Rock, R&B, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Reggae, Bossa, Samba, Disco, Funk, Tango or waltz… i was bassist then keyboard in a local group that don’t exist now. This is why I choose to write songs for me in a Pop Dance with Vintage touch style because i can used only keyboards and make songs from zero to complete demo with topline and lyrics alone.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
DR DAWSOUND: I am self-taught when it comes to technique, songwriting, recording and production. I took private classical piano lessons.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘DR DAWSOUND?
DR DAWSOUND: I have a lot of influences but for this Pop Dance style my major influences are : The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Rihanna, Ava Max, Tiesto, Kygo, Avicii, Davis Guetta, Karol G, Shakira, Rosalia, Calvin harris, Bebe Rexha, Alan Walker… The Name Dr dawsound was choose because I work on a Digital Audio Workstation (Dawsound : The sound of Digital Audio Worstation) and Dr because I try to take care of the sound as much as possible.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
DR DAWSOUND: My sound is a commercial dance sound with hooks and positive energy and lyrics in which everyone can recognize themselves according to their own sensitivity
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?
DR DAWSOUND: It is totally true for myself! I draw inspiration from the music of other international artists. I moved from creating multi styles to creating Pop Dance because as a keyboard player, this style is more simple to play since it requires virtually no other instruments and it suits my musical tastes. originality is built over the long term and its own style emerges by itself.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
DR DAWSOUND: Music has a strong power to transmit messages because it exacerbates our emotions. My messages are sometimes political (Blue) something spiritual or social (U – Universal Love) or Cultural (Little Girl) or simply for dancefloor.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
DR DAWSOUND: Music is a passion. When I work on music, I don’t work in my head. It’s just magical. My only wish is to be also financially independent in order to further improve my work.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
DR DAWSOUND: Usually, I start with a rhythm piece (beat), bass or chords. I can also start with piano singing for more classical compositions. Then I make the arrangements, I create the topline and the lyrics. I hardly use samples or loops except for sophisticated rhythms (Perfect Time). I create the final demo ready to sing. Not being a singer, I work with international artists on Soundbetter for the final vocals. For the mixing, Daniela Rivera, a top sound engineer from Atlanta (US), manages the final part of creation. She mixed as assistant engineer with Rihanna, Justin Bieber, mariah Carey, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Rita ora, Wiz Khalifa, Selena Gomez…
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
DR DAWSOUND: In my life, it was my liver transplant last year. In my career, the fact of being almost invisible lost in the middle of the 80,000 titles that come out every day!!! This is the case for most independent artists today!
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
DR DAWSOUND: Collaborations with international artists. My collaboration with the sound engineer Daniela Rivera , The fact that one of my songs was classified among the finalists at the Audi Talents Awards in 2009. The group for whom I wrote songs classified among the regional finalists of the Emergenza festival in 2019 in Marseille.Girl In a Hurry top 2 pop songs on palco Mp3 Brazil last year.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
DR DAWSOUND: I already had in the same day an opinion telling me that I am really not talented and that I would be better off stopping music and another opinion which said that I had genius and that I really stood out from the crowd! You can’t please everyone, everyone has their own sensibility and you shouldn’t really take these opinions into account and continue to do what you love.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
DR DAWSOUND: I’m not a singer and i am not a live performer. So, only one option for me : Studio or Home. This is a passion.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
DR DAWSOUND: My songs are written so that everyone can interpret their meaning in their own way. It’s the best way to dream! Understanding the real story is a plus!
KEEP IN TOUCH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
