By: Staff
Dave McKendry drops a bomb with "Just Let Go," opening the emotional war chest full of looking back with regrets and inner wranglings; this song hits hard. Sharing some experiences that made Dave McKendry wiser, the bomb of a song becomes a literal f-bomb, too! "Just let fucking go" is the war cry to let things go that we can't control. The parts that stood out were the rumbling guitars and hard-hitting drums, but then the icing on this exciting and mind-titillating song is the super powerful, broad, and comprehensive vocals. The cadence delivery and supporting harmonies made us want to throw our fists up in the air. It's an incredible anthem of the century for those who really want to emerge with a brand new leaf. The mix and production with killer synths sold this hot off-the-press hit. If you have any baggage that you need to "Just let fucking go," then Dave McKendry and this latest release is the song of y(our) century! Stream and playlist, and share this gem today!
We had a chance to get Dave McKendry in The Cage with us and learn more about them and we wanted to share it with you!
Here’s what we learned:
When did you start making music? Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you that you feel is important to understanding why you create music?
I’ve been singing before I can remember and writing for as long as I can. At sixteen I picked up a guitar and didn’t look back. I don’t think there’s anything important, but there’s thing in my bones, or deeper than that, which won’t be quiet until you let it out. And when it comes out it sounds like music, but it feels like bliss.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?
It’s always different. It can come out of nowhere or through turning up to do the work. It can start with a melody, lyric, beat, guitar lick or a chord. It can be something somebody said, it can be the way the rain hits the window or refuses to leave the clouds behind. I couldn’t walk you through it if I tried - it’s a mystery to me. All I know is once the mystery hits I have to get to work to honour it as best I can and that’s where practicing your craft comes in. I’f you want to write, you have to write.
Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?
Creation happens everywhere: at home, studios, the bus, plane, train, often while I’m walking - singing or humming into my phone - and the shower’s always a good spot too. We usually flesh out and always finish everything in the studio, normally with producer Martin Kromar of Echopilot, sometimes with band members Ursi Reicher & Phil Maier. Martin mixes everything and it’s off to the lovely folks at MSM in Munich for mastering and Immersive (Atoms / 3D / Spatial) finalisation.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
Facing my demons in the studio. If the recording is too far from the writing it’s not creative anymore. Once you get beyond creativity you’re into performance. Performing live is a creative exercise for me. Performing to a microphone in an empty studio is hell for me. It’s got nothing to do with connection and if I don’t immediately tap into something bigger, outside of myself, I’ll turn inside and it’s a downward spiral of self doubt and criticism: certain death for creativity.
What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?
I don’t know what it’s called. It’s just this thing that lives inside of me and every now and then it knocks on the inside of my skull or against my ribs, or fills my lungs like they might burst and I know I have to get to work. There are other times I sit down out of discipline, but this force, when it comes, is undeniable.
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d burn it to the ground.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
I have no idea. That’s the beauty of the thing. The joyous mystery.
What instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?
Depending upon who you ask I don’t play any, but on a good day I play guitar and I love to pick up and play with anything - you just won’t see me performing a concert on it.
Tell us about the last time you performed. Where was the show, and what was your experience like?
The last time I performed was an open air show at Clim@ Festival, Graz, Austria. It was my first show back after a 2 month break in Ireland. My voice was rusty as hell and there was a real rawness to the whole thing as I stepped back into my own songs, but I was ecstatic to be back on stage, singing with people and created that connection that’s better than any drug I know.
Have you ever been on tour and can you tell us a little about the experience?
I tour all the time. It’s the most enriching, exhausting, exhilarating, inspiring, humbling, motivating, exhausting, fun, frustrating, challenging, stupid, wonderful, uplifting, invigorating… did I say exhausting? ...thing you’ll ever do.
Was there ever a time when you emotionally felt, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
I’d say that’s a bi-weekly occurrence. If you haven’t felt that as an artist I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’d guess your heart and soul aren’t in it. It’s not strength, it’s that undeniable force I mentioned earlier. If no one ever listens to a song I write, ever again, I’ll still be writing.
What advice would you give your younger self and why?
Stop trying to figure it out. There is no answer. No one knows what they’re doing. Same as you. They never do and they never will. Same as you. Enjoy it.
How do you feel about social media?
Much like the music industry.
When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other already well known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?
Fleetwood Mac. But I don’t think they’d get back together, even for me.
When you are earning a successful wage from music, what act of selflessness would you like to commit?
What is successful? And, more importantly, why do you need to wait to do something selfless? I spent years making a living as a street musician, surviving on the kindness and giving of complete strangers. Maybe I felt this way before that time, but if I didn’t they certainly inspired me enough that I’ve never felt the need to wait for “success” to give back. As a street musician I used to stop in the middle of my set, with an audience in front of me, and tell them I’d, “just be a second,” lift some money out of my case, run to the guy 10m away and buy the charity magazine he was selling, then come back, tell them, “This is Santos. If you’re buying a magazine today, he’s the best seller in town!” and keep playing. I included everyone in this process so they could see how easy and joyful it was for me to pass their kindness on. I’m not telling you this to make me look good. I’m telling you this because giving is the easiest thing in the world and you don’t need to wait for “success” or anything else to do it.
Check out his latest release and listen to more of DAVE MCKENDRY on Spotify & YouTube.
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