One song was enough, Daylightto make us understand that David Kushner would not be a shooting star. And that an album would arrive soon. No sooner said than done: from the incredible numbers of this song, gold and platinum in sixteen countries, which allowed the young American artist to make himself known also thanks to social media, about a year has passed. Now, however, the long-awaited moment has arrived: here is The Dichotomy, his first work. An album in which David, who considers himself very lucky to have found his way in music, has told the contrasts that exist in the life of each of us.
The beginnings with “Daylight”, a song “that changed my life”
A project that started right with Daylightwritten in the studio: “It was my first session with the producer and we were working on another song. After a short break I sat down at his piano and started playing some random but interesting chords. So much so that he told me to continue. A few minutes later I started singing what is now the main melody of the chorus, which everyone knows” he says in an interview. A song that has grown more and more, also thanks to social media: “Initially I didn’t realize that the song was going so strong… until I came to Europe, to open for my friend Dean Lewis. There the incredible happened: Daylight it hadn’t come out yet, but I was singing it anyway…And everyone already knew it! I said to myself: what’s happening? I was in disbelief and very happy at the same time. And yes: this song changed my life”.
The Creation of “The Dichotomy”
Daylight was the first song David Kushner wrote in Los Angeles, where he moved in January 2023, but where he no longer lives. “I recently bought a house outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and my life is very relaxed and normal, at least more so than when I was in LA. Maybe in a few years I’ll go back to California, also because Nashville is cold in the winter” says Kushner. In Southern California, however, his first album was born, which also draws inspiration from the texts of the Bible, in which there are metaphors and languages that he himself defines as very interesting and useful for the writing process of his songs. An album, The Dichotomyfor everyone, regardless of one’s religious faith: “This record is for everyone. It draws on human existence and our desires. I just want people to question how they live their lives, based on their desires” adds David.
Passion for music, and for Eminem and Phoenix
Born in Chicago to parents with an insurance agency, David never really liked school, so much so that at the end of high school he immediately started dedicating himself to music: he found a vocal coach, and in the meantime he also worked with his parents. Then he moved to Los Angeles, where his real story began. “At home they are all my fans, they support me a lot. I didn’t want to go to university, and singing was a salvation. Or rather: a blessing, because I really like what I do” says David. Who, among others, is a super fan of Eminem: “I remember rapping his lyrics on YouTube. We had these computers that my parents had bought. They were old PCs. I would go on YouTube late at night and put the music on really loud to sing Eminem’s songs!” he adds. Not just the rapper from Detroit, though. Among the artists who inspire David Kushner there is also Bon Iver: “I like Bon Iver, yes, but also Jon Bellion. Mumford & Sons. The Lumineers. Adele. Lana Del Rey. Sia. Dominic Fike. Tom Odell. I love Hozier. And what about Phoenix? What a band!” adds the artist.
An album that defines the artistic evolution of David Kushner
He also took inspiration from them for his debut album, which was the result of an evolution, as David tells us: “It’s not an album that was born quickly. It evolved in a way. Some of the songs, though, were born very recently, but at the same time I put a lot of ideas that I already had. I just knew that I needed to write some new records for the album… to really find the message that I was trying to convey”. A message full of those contrasts that each of us has to face in life, and that David can’t wait to bring live: “I’ll be on tour in America in September and November, then I hope to come to Europe!” he tells us. We’re waiting for you, David!