A reflective, intimate, and jangly breath of fresh air, Con Davison’s “Talk” finds the Bad Bad Hats drummer asserting his solo work with confidence, passion, and charisma.
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“Talk” is my response, years removed, to anyone who assumed that my wandering was aimless
To pursue a music career is, to put it sweetly, to go against the grain in every traditional sense. The music-makers I’ve met never chose to make music; it was a part of them to begin with, a calling waiting to be heard, exercised, and executed. Some of us answer the call earlier in life, whilst others sit on it awhile – yet sooner or later, just as all birds must leave their nest, all music-makers must respond to their inner artistries and let the songs flow.
Music is a passion – but man, if it isn’t a risk; you have to love it, and you have to believe in it. Reflective, intimate, and jangly, Con Davison’s “Talk” is an invigorating breath of fresh air asserting self-confidence and dismissing doubt, hesitation, and external influence.
I don’t know why
But I feel like dyin’
When I’m talking to you
My head it spins
And I can’t begin
When I’m talking to you
Listen: “Talk” – Con Davison
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/481541448?secret_token=s-1gO7B” params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=true&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “Talk,” the lead single off Con Davison’s upcoming debut solo EP, Far Off Distant Plans (out October 19, 2018). Probably best known for his involvement drumming with Bad Bad Hats and Dreamspook, Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Con Davison is an entity unto himself. With his warm voice, honest lyricism, and clear penchant for vibrant, emotive melodies, Davison sets himself apart on “Talk” – a song which fits neither the pop, rock, or psych mold, yet which somehow incorporates elements of all three musical styles.
Reflective and assertive, “Talk” is the perfect introduction to Davison’s long-in-the-waiting solo project. A defiant rebuke to those who didn’t support him that feels more self-confident than it does angry or in search of retribution, “Talk” finds the metaphorical caterpillar blossoming into a majestic butterfly – or to put it in simpler terms, the “drummer with the side project” taking full ownership of his work, finding his voice and exercising it at will.
You say I’m having too much fun
I say I’m figuring it out
You’re focused on the things I’ve won
But in your wisdom I have doubt
You ain’t ever seen anybody living like they’re free
“‘Talk’ is a song written for a younger version of myself,” Davison tells Atwood Magazine. “I think it’s safe to say that I’ve wandered a lot in my life, and as a result I’ve caught flack from people who claim to know better about my plans (or lack thereof) than I do. Even so, I’m guilty as anyone of catering to those critics, bending my life in a way to simply shut them up. In the same way that we dream up all the best things to say in an argument long after it’s over, “Talk” is my response, years removed, to anyone who assumed that my wandering was aimless.”
I don’t know why
But I feel like dyin’
When I’m talking to you
My head it spins
And I can’t begin
When I’m talking to you
You somehow made it in my head
I end up doing what you want
This all is nothing when we’re dead
Can’t make it matter, no we won’t
With its inspired psych-pop tones and looser, raw rock feel, “Talk” inspires artistic freedom in its listeners, as well as its creator. Davison’s revelatory moment of ownership extends well beyond himself; as he sings, “You ain’t ever seen anybody living like they’re free,” we come to see our own chains – the things we do because that’s what expected of us.
As far as beginnings are concerned, “Talk” is equally exciting in its portrayal of Davison’s songwriting style and approach – both of which feel progressive, spirited, and nuanced. Davison weaves his music through various phases, subverting the customary verse/chorus organization and instead figuring out his own structure as he mosies along. This, in itself, would be something his peers might even push back on; yet as the song suggests, Davison is done with folks thinking he’s “having too much fun” or “figuring it out.”
This is his music, and dammit if he’ll do it his way.
Con Davison is fully himself in “Talk,” and we’re eating up what he has to say. Stream the lead single off Davison’s debut EP Far Off Distant Plans, out October 19, 2018!
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? © Rob Hull
