David Gergen

Singer/Songwriter David Gergen sings and performs passionately from the heart and soul. His lyrics are wonderfully crafted and one hears the magic of true music when listening to Gergen’s amazing sound. In this spotlight with our Webzine, the talented artist expounds on Indie music and where does he fit in this equation. Enjoy!

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

David: Having control of my career and being able to follow my inspiration into whatever areas I wish....also, if I were on a big label I would always be wondering if I was really seeing all the money that was due to me. Things are under better control as a DIY artist.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have build up over the years about you in the process?

David: Maybe, it depends on the label and who my contact at the label was. I wouldn't be willing to give up much artistically but I would be willing to explore it as an option because labels still do have some influence on media outlets and can make things happen quickly to get a career moving.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

David: The main thing is that I do everything myself on my recordings. It's a sole vision. I have a never say die attitude and my guts and drive has taken me farther than other talented people that don't have the vision to persevere. Also I think I have a real sincerity in my music.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to David Gergen?

David: They should listen if they want to take a trip down melancholy lane! Really though it's got a unique original sound that I don't think sounds like anything out there. I put a lot of thought into the lyrics so they would ideally enjoy the art of word play and also like a good amount of guitars, that's my main instrument. The songs cover a wide gamet of moods and textures.

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

David: Going way back I played trombone in elementary school. I wasn't drawn to that instrument so I put it down but the hunger for music lingered in me until I picked up a guitar at a friends house when I was 16. He loaned it to me and I was obsessed. I played all the time, bought a 4 track recorder and started laying down song ideas early on. My passion continued to grow and really I still have that same feeling years later when I play and record, I just get a sense of escape and that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing in this life.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?



David: John Lennon because of the way he wrote songs, and he had such a great voice. Hendrix on guitar because of his absolute abandon when he played....the music just moved through his body. Bob Dylan for his words, he is so beyond any other lyricist in rock history in my opinion. People tell me that when I mention these superstar musicians I am inviting criticism because it's so much to live up to but shouldn't everyone reach for the ultimate goal of greatness?

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

David: In some respects, people view it as more uncorrupt and pure I think. Hopefully, it stays that way. It's less about image and using auto tune devices in the studio to get a glossy radio sound that record companies can use to wear you to the bone on a never ending media tour that has no regard for the artist. Was that a rant?

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

David: That it would be less about image and more about the quality of the music itself. That will never happen though because humans are visual by nature and need the audio and visual to go hand in hand to paint the picture they want to see.

Isaac: Do you think in the near future that DIY artists/bands will be the norm and big record companies will be very limited?

David: Maybe, hard to say where this will all end up....I always have hope that David will beat Goliath and the small villages will reign supreme but when money and power come into play things can end up in a scary place. What the world needs is another Bill Graham! A truly special concert promoter.

Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

David: Good overall, everyone has different tastes but I like the feedback I receive and it makes me realize I have probably taken the right path and that all my hard work has brought me to a good place. I have been getting some reviews and coverage and it seems that my musical intentions are being understood if that makes sense.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music?

David: Absolutely, if a person is doing music to reach fame and fortune I doubt that the music will be very earth shattering. Music is too pure of art form and the way the cosmic world works I think the more work and dedication you put into it the more the reward. Like any art form, if the money comes great, but you have to do it for the love of it or it could make a person crazy.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

David: I ignore it; I let it pass through my brain for about 5 seconds....just long enough to turn it into waste. It's irrelevant to me and to think everyone is gonna "get" what I do is not reasonable. A lot of people are on different wavelengths, have had bad days or whatever so you have to take it all with a grain of salt.

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuant of a music career?

David: Not much, I have family and friends that support me obviously but it's kinda my thing and nobody really alters my vision either negatively or positively. I have a course I am on and it's all inside me to determine the outcome.

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

David: CDbaby.com to purchase CD's, Sonicbids.com has a lot of bio and press info and my MySpace page. 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gergen2  

http://www.sonicbids.com/davidgergen  

http://www.myspace.com/davidgergen