Dr Dawsound is a French producer and songwriter hailing from Marseille, France. Having recently unleashed his debut album, a spectacular and wide-ranging twelve-track offering called ‘Universal Love’, we were intrigued to know more about the musical talent.
Stoked that he agreed to an interview, Dr Dawsound takes us through the creation of his debut record, how he came to work with award-winning audio engineer Daniela Rivera, what “being successful” in the industry would look like to him, and what he has in store going forward. So…Without further ado, please give a big welcome to our new friend Dr Dawsound!
Welcome aboard Dr Dawsound! I’m really stoked to be able to introduce you to our audience today! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, could you tell us a little bit about your musical journey? What has led you to where you are today?
Not having had music enthusiasts around me, my musical journey began late at 18 with my purchases of vinyl records and a basic organ. I was immediately passionate about composition. I always looked at record covers to see who was doing what and I also bought based on composers or authors. It took a few years before my compositions took hold. I then joined a local music group as a bassist and then keyboardist. I also composed for local singers or groups but all that no longer exists today. That’s why I decided to make the music I love in a style that’s easier to implement on my own: Pop Dance. To do this, playing the keyboard is enough to do a complete demo.
You recently unleashed your debut album titled ‘Universal Love’ and it’s a deeply eclectic and wide-ranging sonic offering. How did you approach the creation of the record considering its diverse sonic spectrum?
I started with a basic style: Pop Dance with a vintage touch and then I mixed in other styles: R&B, Latino Pop, House etc to have different pieces following a common thread.
Tunes like ‘In My House (Good Vibes), ‘Girl In a Hurry’, and ‘Blue’ have received some serious attention on Spotify. How does it feel to know that so many people are listening to and resonating with your music?
A feeling of pride and pure happiness. ‘Girl In A Hurry’ reached the Top 2 Pop songs on Palco Mp3 in Brazil. Unfortunately, my songs are no longer there because they focus on Brazilian artists now.
All the tracks from ‘Universal Love’ were mixed by Daniela Rivera, an award-winning audio engineer who has worked with literally all of the heavyweights in the music industry. Could you share any memorable moments or insights gained while working with such an expert?
First a little clarification: Daniela mixed my album entirely working by correspondence on Soundbetter. I’m lucky to have met her and that she agreed to work with an independent artist like me. She is someone very open, very speedy and an outstanding engineer. This improves the titles without distorting the way it was designed and that is very appreciated!
Who would you put down as some of your biggest musical influences and who would you ultimately credit for helping shape and mould your overall sound?
Many artists have left their mark on my music. To name some of the most memorable for me: The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Tiesto, Kygo, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Rihanna, Ava Max, Bebe Rexha, Karol G, Shakira, Rosalia etc…
Success is such a broad term with different meanings for everyone. What would “being successful” in the music industry look like to you?
To bring even just 3 minutes of happiness into this world that is so sad for people. And also to be able to live off my music in order to amplify that.
What aspects of being a musician do you cherish most? And on the flip side of that, what would you say have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered?
What I love most is creating. Bringing a song to life and watching it grow and build until it becomes a complete song. A real challenge and sometimes a final surprise. Placing the right elements in the right places and finally collaborating with a voice artist who will bring it all to life is both magical and a real challenge!
Thanks a lot for chatting with us Dr Dawsound! It’s been great having you here! Before we let you go, what comes next for you musically?
I have started working on my second album which will include a track called B.A.M (Brazil Atlanta Marseille). Brazil because the singer will be Brazilian, Atlanta because it will be mixed by Daniela and Marseille because it is my city of birth and where the song will be produced. It’s a samba in the Bellini or Shakira style. An international collaboration as I like.
