David Shaw Talks Powerful New Solo Album

David Shaw of The Revivalists has released his debut self-titled solo album, offering a deeper look into the songwriter’s true self. Shaw released the 12-track LP via his own imprint Yokoko Records in partnership with C3Records,  and features the previously released singles “Got Me Feeling Good,” “Heavy Soul,” “Shivers,” “Shaken” and “Promised Land.”

David Shaw says he placed a renewed focus on self-care and personal growth, resulting in the new album. Shaw sat down with Beyond the Stage to give more insight into his new venture.

Beyond The Stage: How has making solo music impacted you personally as an artist? What have you learned from the process?

David Shaw: I’ve grown in a lot of ways over the past year. Some that I expected and some that kinda came out of nowhere.

Overall it’s been truly gratifying to see the project take shape and give it some wings. Eventually it won’t be mine anymore and that’s the beauty of it.

One thing I can say that I’ve learned about myself through this process is that I have to trust my gut even when it gives me a stomach ache.

BTS: How is your creative process different when making solo material?

DS: My creative process doesn’t differ a ton from the solo work to the band work honestly. It usually starts with a piece of music or an interesting phrase or melody and then I get in there and do the work that needs to be done in order to craft the song.

There’s a saying that I’ve heard and it always resonated although I don’t think it was meant to just be about songwriting but it works nonetheless.

Songwriting is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. That’s pretty much how it’s always been for me. You have to put in the work and you always have to have your line in the water.

BTS: Can you talk about the inspiration behind “Got Me Feeling Good?”

DS: I was spending a lot of time out in California at the time and I think I was just really getting into the lifestyle, plus I was listening to a lot of Beck, Bowie and Sublime.

The intersection of these artists mixed with where I was geographically but maybe more importantly emotionally made me want to make a song that incorporated all of these things in a way that was unique to me, who I am, what I’m going through and where I’m going.

This song is like medicine to me and my hope is that it resonates in that way for you too.

BTS: Do you have a favorite track on the album? If so, why?

DS: That’s a really tough one for me but I think my favorite song on the album is a song called “The Place.”

There’s a little bit of a backstory on this one. When my father was a teenager he built a little shed out on some land that was in our family.

Him and all his friends would meet up there and they’d do all the things that teenagers do. They called it “The Place.” He’s always said that he has a lot of very fond memories from that time in his life.

I wanted to make a song that was the personification of that feeling. It’s simple, it’s pure and its sole purpose is to create Joy and take the listener on a journey to their own special “place.”

BTS: We have to imagine that creating solo music sort of puts you in a more vulnerable place, especially with how heartfelt and honest these songs are. Is there ever a time when that feels a little scary? If so, how do you overcome that and what keeps you pushing forward? 

DS: I really appreciate this question because it’s so true.  But honestly, I’ve always been an open book when it comes to my art and my heart on display.

I’m getting better each day at opening up more and more and this project was just another way for me to crack that code.

Sometimes it can be a lot but it’s also very comforting to see that it’s resonating with the people because at the end of the day I believe we’re all going through varying degrees of the same stuff and we all need people to level with a relate to.

I want my fans to know that I will always be that artist for them. It’s my passion. It’s my way. I am them and they are me.

BTS: If there could be one message fans received from the new album, what would you want that takeaway to be?

DS: I really just want people to feel GOOD when they listen to this album. That’s what the making of it was all about for me and that’s what I want people to feel when they put it on and drop that needle down for the first time.

BTS: Can fans expect more solo music in the future?

DS: This is just the beginning as far as solo projects go, so to answer your question…yes! I’m very excited for what the future holds.

Stream the new album on Spotify at the link below!