2008 Woodie Awards
Spotlight on...Thompson Davis
Melissa Marshall
Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: Arts
TC: I understand that in addition to being a DJ you are also a member of two bands. What sorts of projects are you currently working on?
TD: Currently I'm in this band called Black Beach with a friend from back home. We were actually here this summer recording, and one of the singles got a little exposure on a blog - nothing big, but we're developing a sound. In terms of what I'm doing here, I'm working on a solo release as well as playing with a band. The band is called Pluto, which has a lot of kitschy appeal, because Pluto isn't a planet anymore - how ironic. Because, you know, Pluto is the god of death and now, the whole concept of Pluto as a planet is dead. Wow, mind blowing. Our album Pluto Is Not a Planet is scheduled to drop on December 13th and it's basically inspired by desperation and profound hopelessness.
TC: What inspired you to launch a solo project as well as perform in Black Beach and Pluto?
TD: Well, my solo outlet is in interests that just wouldn't fit in the band's repertoire and aesthetic, which for all extents and purposes is "indie-rock." I just love music production in general, and I wanted to explore hip-hop, R & B, electronic and house as well. My solo album, Young, Invincible and Poor will also hopefully be released on December 13th. It's all Thompson, all the time. I can play with some facility guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, but I'm still forming my sound and I need feedback on it. I'm too ambitious and I just need to scale down my ambitions and focus on a sound. There are a lot of failed attempts, but it's fun.
TC: Do you believe that a job in the music industry is a definite career path for you?
TD: All the avenues are open. I know it's very difficult to get into the industry and the chances are quite slim, but I can't imagine doing anything else, and I can't do anything else well. I am really interested in music production. I'm actually the head of the recording studio here at Middlebury and I produce all my own endeavors. I also spent a semester away at Tisch in NYU studying music production with Jim Anderson, who has won nine Grammy Awards. It was a great program: I got to work behind a real console with very well-qualified and passionate faculty. I had every intention of staying at Tisch and not coming back to Middlebury College, but strangely enough, I wasn't happy in the city. I enjoy production as much as performing and writing songs - it's just another aspect of what I do.
TD: Currently I'm in this band called Black Beach with a friend from back home. We were actually here this summer recording, and one of the singles got a little exposure on a blog - nothing big, but we're developing a sound. In terms of what I'm doing here, I'm working on a solo release as well as playing with a band. The band is called Pluto, which has a lot of kitschy appeal, because Pluto isn't a planet anymore - how ironic. Because, you know, Pluto is the god of death and now, the whole concept of Pluto as a planet is dead. Wow, mind blowing. Our album Pluto Is Not a Planet is scheduled to drop on December 13th and it's basically inspired by desperation and profound hopelessness.
TC: What inspired you to launch a solo project as well as perform in Black Beach and Pluto?
TD: Well, my solo outlet is in interests that just wouldn't fit in the band's repertoire and aesthetic, which for all extents and purposes is "indie-rock." I just love music production in general, and I wanted to explore hip-hop, R & B, electronic and house as well. My solo album, Young, Invincible and Poor will also hopefully be released on December 13th. It's all Thompson, all the time. I can play with some facility guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, but I'm still forming my sound and I need feedback on it. I'm too ambitious and I just need to scale down my ambitions and focus on a sound. There are a lot of failed attempts, but it's fun.
TC: Do you believe that a job in the music industry is a definite career path for you?
TD: All the avenues are open. I know it's very difficult to get into the industry and the chances are quite slim, but I can't imagine doing anything else, and I can't do anything else well. I am really interested in music production. I'm actually the head of the recording studio here at Middlebury and I produce all my own endeavors. I also spent a semester away at Tisch in NYU studying music production with Jim Anderson, who has won nine Grammy Awards. It was a great program: I got to work behind a real console with very well-qualified and passionate faculty. I had every intention of staying at Tisch and not coming back to Middlebury College, but strangely enough, I wasn't happy in the city. I enjoy production as much as performing and writing songs - it's just another aspect of what I do.
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