Ahead of d4vd’s Coachella set, the singer sat down and shared what fans could expect from his performance, and tying it into his new album, working with Kali Uchis on “Crashing,” and more!
What did you think of d4vd’s performance? Let us know in the comments!
What did you think of d4vd’s performance? Let us know in the comments!
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MusicTranscript
00:00Yo, what's up? It's Tetris with Billboard News, and I'm lucky enough to be hanging with an artist that's performing at Coachella.
00:06David, how you feeling?
00:07Oh, great, man. How you feeling?
00:08I'm feeling good, but I can't imagine what is going through your mind right now.
00:12So tell me, like, how are you, are you prepared? Is the fit ready? What's the aesthetic?
00:17Ooh, yeah, I got, I went to the fitting yesterday. I had a little vibe check, a little vibe check.
00:21I picked out two, two fire outfits, you know.
00:23I'm excited. I'm hyped. I'm thrilled. I got all the adrenaline in my body already preparing me for Friday.
00:30But I'm excited, so.
00:31And you said you got two fits picked out, so are you trying to give something different weekend one versus weekend two?
00:35Yeah, yeah, I got this iconic style that I go for, but there's always, like, so much to play around with with this style.
00:39I don't want to give too much weight right now, but it's just coming, bro.
00:42All right, and then what would you say is your style inspiration overall when you're, like, preparing for, like, performing or doing a photo shoot?
00:48You know what? I like to keep it, like, when I'm on stage, I have this classic kind of business attire to it.
00:54Like, I wear, like, this white shirt with, like, suede pants and, like, all types of different stuff that kind of brings, like, more swag to the show, you know?
01:02But it's, like, is he going to an interview or is he performing at the show? It's, like, it's vibes, it's vibes.
01:06It's your own swag.
01:07Yeah.
01:07So what can you tell me about, like, what you prepare for your performance?
01:11Yeah, so I like to advert expectations with my shows.
01:14Like, people think my music is super somber and melancholic all the time, but I do got some, like, rock songs in there, some alternative music, some, like, hype stuff.
01:20So I kind of want it to be, like, a rock show, like, something like early Nirvana, like, Deftones vibe, you know?
01:25Because I want to be a rock star, you know what I'm saying?
01:27So I'm going to be climbing on stuff.
01:28I'm going to, you know, I can't even get too much away, but I'm going to be climbing on stuff.
01:31Like, there's going to be, like, all types of different stage design elements that I've added that I've never done before in a show,
01:36just to tie into my album, creative and stuff like that, that's coming out.
01:39So it's going to be sick, bro.
01:41I just left the party with a girl that said she doesn't want me.
01:48And then, like, what's the creative process when you're trying to put together not only the set list, but, like, props or whatever you're trying to create?
01:54Like, is that something you really try to keep to yourself or you, like, put a team of people around?
01:57I put a team of people around because I really want it to feel like an experience.
02:00Like, it's a show more than a concert, especially for Coachella, how big this is and how big of a moment it is for, like, this moment in my career as well.
02:05So I kind of want it to feel, like, very immersive and out of this world.
02:09You know what I'm saying?
02:09Out of this world.
02:10Okay, I can't wait to see it, man.
02:11But let's talk about the music.
02:13What are you waiting for?
02:14You just dropped it.
02:15Already hit a million views on you, too.
02:16So congrats on that.
02:18How are you feeling about the Millie and the fan reception?
02:20What are you waiting for?
02:23What are you waiting for?
02:25That was absolutely incredible.
02:27Like, I feel like when I release songs like that and, like, the post-punk indie rock kind of vibe, that's always my fan favorites.
02:32Like, they like the sad stuff.
02:33But it's summertime, you know, Coachella time, you feel me?
02:35So I got to kind of bring this energy to the fans and to the audience.
02:39Kind of just, like, amp it up, amp it up, amp it up.
02:41And just keep it going, man.
02:43And do you feel like you're kind of feeling a void in the industry?
02:45Because I feel like I see a lot of memes on, like, Twitter and stuff about, like, man, where's the good, like, punk rock?
02:51Where's the rock?
02:52Where's those people at?
02:53And, like, I feel like you're kind of coming in that zone a little bit.
02:55Bro, I want to bring it, like, full-sended.
02:57Like, I'm so excited for what the summer has.
02:59I got some heat, bro.
03:00I got some heat.
03:01Well, you also announced that you're going to put an album out.
03:04So what are you kind of planning when you're putting in the whole project?
03:07So basically with this project, like, the through line is very much, like, dealing with my own vulnerability with this project.
03:12With my last two EPs, I was kind of, like, testing the waters.
03:15But this is really who David is with this album.
03:17And it's very, like, super introspective, like, grief, loss, confusion, love.
03:22But then there's a second half to it that's coming right after that that kind of brings you this whole different rollercoaster ride of possibilities.
03:31But I want the first half of the project to be very, very concise and very intentional and feed the fans what they want.
03:37Do you feel vulnerable having to do that, like, be so honest with your feelings and your emotions on your tracks like that?
03:42Yeah, it's, like, a weird feeling, too, because it's, like, the music is a therapist.
03:45Like, I'm really talking about my life right now.
03:47But it's got melody to it and it's catchy.
03:48It's, like, you know, it's sad.
03:50But it's catchy, though.
03:51You can dance to it.
03:52You can hit a little mood to it.
03:52But I'm very just super grateful to have these experiences and be able to share them with the world, like, so often.
03:58It's crazy.
03:59Yeah, that's awesome.
03:59And let's talk about some of your collaborations.
04:01I love that you work with Kaliuchi.
04:02So what was that like?
04:03So good, man.
04:04She's amazing.
04:05Like, she works as fast as I do.
04:06I remember I wrote the song, Crashing in Houston.
04:09And I was like, it's missing something in the second verse.
04:11I don't know who could add this flavor.
04:12And I thought of Kaliuchi, so I sent it to her.
04:14And she was like, oh, my God, I love it.
04:15And she sent me back the verse the next day.
04:16Like, she sent me back the next day.
04:18Fast.
04:18She's crazy, bro.
04:19And I was like, can we make a music video, please, please, please?
04:21She was like, you know what?
04:22Let's do a music video.
04:23And it was out, like, maybe two weeks after that.
04:25So, yeah, I'm super grateful for her.
04:26Kaliuchi's are amazing.
04:27Shout out to you.
04:28Super, super for her.
04:29And then have you talked to her recently?
04:30Because, you know, she played at Coachella.
04:31So maybe she has some advice for you.
04:33Yes.
04:33I've honestly just been watching her sets and just, like, figuring out.
04:36Because we have the same aesthetic, like, with the flowers and the roses and things like that.
04:40So I'm like, okay, she did this with this.
04:41And she had a background there.
04:42So I'm like, nah, nah, nah, nah, you know?
04:44Just, like, taking notes and being very inspired by her and how great her work is, for sure.
04:47And, of course, last time you came through Billboard, you were actually just coming off of working with SZA, obviously.
04:51Yeah.
04:52We're so excited for that.
04:53How is it working for SZA?
04:54And then tell me, have you seen the movie?
04:56I have.
04:56One of them days is that.
04:58Oh, that's the one, bro.
04:59It's so good, bro.
05:00The one, dude.
05:01Like, I watched it.
05:02I was in theaters, bro.
05:03The whole theater was cracking up.
05:03I love theater experiences where the theater is full because everybody laughs at the same time.
05:07Everybody's like, oh, at the same time.
05:09It's, like, almost like a Nickelodeon laugh track, bro.
05:11It's so far like a sitcom.
05:12But, yeah, SZA's amazing.
05:14She gave me great advice at that show.
05:15She always told me to be myself and, you know, don't let the outward influences kind of influence my music and my art and my passion and my vision.
05:22Don't let nobody taint your vision.
05:23Your vision is your vision.
05:24And she's, like, the most evident product of that.
05:27She's, over the years of her career, just kind of shown her vision and shown how intricate it is and how complex everything is,
05:33but how simple it is to execute.
05:34And it's so perfect and masterful.
05:36So, thank you, SZA, for that advice and thank you for keeping me going.
05:39Yeah, man.
05:39That's coming from an icon.
05:40And then, I mean, you're going to be one yourself.
05:42You know, you also going to Coachella, playing the stage.
05:45I am.
05:45So, it's your time now.
05:47Do you mind playing a few Coachella games with me before I get you out of here?
05:49Oh, let's do it.
05:49Absolutely.
05:50I want you to kind of put together, like, what is the dream David Coachella lineup?
05:55Like, headliner Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night.
05:57Okay.
05:57Who do you need to be playing?
05:59Top three.
05:59You know, Friday, oof.
06:01Friday, I put Kendrick.
06:03Okay.
06:03Okay.
06:04Oh, kicking the weekend off.
06:05Yeah, kick it off crazy.
06:06Kick it off.
06:06You know, Mustard's playing.
06:08We're hoping he might, you know, slide through.
06:10We need that.
06:11We need that.
06:11We need that for L.A., man.
06:12We need that.
06:13Let's see.
06:14With Saturday, I'll go Billie Eilish.
06:17Oh, okay.
06:18You know what I'm saying, bring a little.
06:19You need to work for Golden Voice, apparently.
06:21I do.
06:22Hit me up.
06:23I'm at the end of you.
06:24And then Sunday, I'll do Rihanna.
06:28Ooh, Rihanna.
06:30Rihanna at Coachella, though.
06:32It'll be sold out in, like, five seconds.
06:33Insane.
06:34That's a great lineup.
06:35You just need to whisper that in Golden Voice's ear, and we'll see if we can make it happen.
06:39Thanks, you know what I'm saying?
06:40Have you been to the festival before?
06:42I went for the first time last year.
06:44Okay.
06:44What was the vibe like for you?
06:45What do you enjoy about it overall?
06:46It was so, like, it was almost overwhelming for me because the festival was so huge, bro.
06:51And I was like, dude, I've only been to two festivals before that, Lollapalooza, and We Love Green in Paris.
06:58Oh, wow.
06:59Bro, Coachella is Coachella.
07:01It's a beast.
07:02It earned his name.
07:02That's Coachella right there.
07:03But, yeah, it was, like, super, super inspiring just to see all the artists backstage and how everybody's preparing and seeing artists get into the zone, too, like, before a performance, like, it was so good.
07:13Yeah, well, that brings me to my next game because I'm telling you, dude, I get so stressed out every year about set times.
07:19It's like, oh, this person's playing at this time or on that stage or on this stage.
07:23They're at the same time.
07:23What am I going to do?
07:24Who am I going to pick?
07:25So I just want to, I'm throwing out some random names, but I want to see if these two artists were playing at the same time.
07:31Whose set are you running to?
07:32All right.
07:33Beyonce or Taylor Swift?
07:35That's so hard.
07:36Can you imagine?
07:36Okay, I saw Beyonce at the Renaissance Tour, but I have never seen Taylor.
07:42So for the fact that I haven't seen Taylor yet, I'll go see Taylor.
07:45All right.
07:45Bad Bunny or Carol G?
07:47Baby, did I last four, those that were all right, though?
07:50I'll go see Bad Bunny.
07:51Oh, heck yeah, man.
07:51I wish he was playing this year, man.
07:53For real, for real.
07:53Doji or Doja Cat?
07:55Brother.
07:57Right.
07:59Doja.
08:02Doja Cat, because I've never seen Doja Cat show.
08:04Okay.
08:04I did see Doji at Flagnar.
08:05Okay.
08:06So you just got to check off who you ain't seen yet.
08:08I'm kind of honored to see her.
08:09Kendrick Lamar or Tyler, the Creator?
08:11I feel like I know your answer here, but.
08:12I'll do Kendrick.
08:13But I've also seen both of them in concert, but.
08:23Kendrick.
08:23I'll do Kendrick.
08:24Okay.
08:24Kendrick, Kendrick.
08:25And then J-Hope or Aespa?
08:27Man, this is tough, man.
08:28I'll do J-Hope.
08:29Yeah.
08:30I'll do J-Hope.
08:30Just saw him last weekend, man.
08:31Was it fired?
08:32Phenomenal.
08:32I can imagine.
08:33He's fired.
08:33If you get a chance to go on YouTube, check some videos out.
08:35And I'll do the same thing.
08:36That's a great king performer.
08:36For sure.
08:37For sure.
08:37For sure.
08:37But yeah.
08:38So thanks for hanging out with us, man.
08:39I'm super excited for your set.
08:41I can't wait to see you out in the desert.
08:42Amazing.
08:42Let's do it.
08:43My guy.
08:43We'll see you out in the world.
08:50We'll see you in the Earth.
08:51We'll see you in the correspond.
08:52Bye.
08:52Bye.
08:53Bye.
08:53Bye.
08:54Bye.
08:55Bye.
08:55Bye.
09:04Bye.
09:04Bye.
09:05Bye.
09:06Bye.
09:06Bye.
09:11Bye.
09:11Bye.