Who did 'World In My Eyes' better?

"Robert Smith - The Cure, Martin Gore - Depeche Mode"

Violator. Even if you are one of those people who hates Depeche Mode there is probably a song or two on there that you like, or at least secretly dance to when no one is around. This is my personal favorite Depeche Mode album and 'World In My Eyes' is, if not #1 on my list of Depeche Mode songs then #2. It stands to reason then that eventually someone great in the music universe would want to cover such an amazing song and we would hope - do it justice.
And that did happen. Enter 1998, Enter Robert Smith, Enter 'For The Masses' the Martin Gore tribute album. When Robert and The Cure were asked to be on 'For The Masses' he said:

"The Cure doing Depeche Mode as The Cure just didn't seem quite right. We tried 'Walking In My Shoes' at first but it didn't really work, so I went off and did 'World In My Eyes' one night in Outside Studios near Reading."

So here is the crossroads. Both versions are amazing. Depeche Mode's version has that dark, mechanical, synth splashed, polished in smut feel to it while Robert Smith's version has a distant, angsty, raw, guitar laden, smothered in grit feel to it.


Being that 'World In My Eyes' is about dirty, dirty sex and infatuation it only makes sense that the song should make you feel a bit - uneasy, and both versions deliver. The only real question on the table is which version is the best. As I am a much bigger Cure fan then Depeche Mode my opinion is biased and obviously leaning towards Robert's version. So in that case, I must take this battle to the masses! (Pun intended)


So, who will win this battle between two anti-cool hero's? Will it be the Bleached blond, leather clad, trench coat wearing, synth master Martin Gore? Or will it be the draped in black, high-top wearing, guitar wielding, scarlet smeared lips of Robert Smith?


You be the judge.


"Depeche Mode - World In My Eyes."



"The Cure - World In My Eyes"

DING!!!

Do Do Do Do Do DO DO DO!!!!!!

That's the way love goes...

My latest inspiration...

...

"..."

MARATHON SESSION!

So I spent the last three days holed up in the studio working on some material for Davidoth, TFH, and &Hearts. During this marathon session I was able to record a track for Davidoth that I feel is quite possibly, the best track I have recorded to date. I want the new Davidoth album "Something You Could Never Understand" to be a masterpiece. We are not going to repeat the same mistakes we did with "Oath". Anyways, this new track... Well next week I am heading back into the studio and I am going to try and get a preliminary master done on it, then I might give you all a sneak peak. Maybe.

Bones

This show definitely kicks ass! Me and my wife just discovered it and we can't get enough of it. Could this be something new to tickle my muse...?

Possibly Maybe...

...Nothing.

"We cast everything to the wind, hoping one day it would come back, but knowing it never would.

We gave up all we had for love, we lost all we were for this.

My heart is no longer whole, just ashes blowing in the breeze.

What you thought you could fix this?

I have dreamt a million years in one night, I have seen a million places in one gaze.

I have walked a million miles in your touch and I’m still lost.

How could you hope to find me when I can't find myself?"

Horizons...

-Dave

Inspirational women of music: Black and White.

"Amy Winehouse"

Growing up music was the driving inspiration in my life. Really, it still is.

Over the years so many artists have added something to my life in one way or another. Today I wanted to do something to showcase some of the most influential and inspirational women in music, at least to me.

All of these ladies added something to both my art, and my person. Black and White just seemed to be a fitting medium for this project.

These ladies are sexy, and strong. Smart and Talented. Inspiring and Amazing.

Thanks for everything.

"Madonna"

"Poe"

"Amy Winehouse"

"TLC"

"Stevie Nicks"

"Shirley Manson"

"Kylie Minogue"

"Diana Ross"

"Bjork"

"Aaliyah"

"Koda Kumi"

"Atom Sounds" New Blog !

Hey everyone!

So I just wanted to let everyone know about the new Atom Sounds blog that just went live.

The blog can be found here.

For those of you who don't know who Atom Sounds are, they are a UK based International indie label. They have some great talent on there roster. Such as, Remergence, Northcape, and Project Overseer Productions Just to name a few.

You can also get more info about Atom Sounds at http://www.atom-sounds.com/

-Enjoy!

Some "Oath" Info.

So work on finishing up Oath continues and I have made a few major decisions with this album that I want to share with everyone.

First, As we all know a major disaster stuck the country of Haiti this month. Many people have reached out and given what they can with monetary donations and some have even traveled down to the epicenter to give aid. In tough economic times it's always great to see that people still care and are willing to help when others need it.
I have been watching the events unfold since the quake happened as I do with most world events. (Those who know me know I'm a CNN junkie.) And the entire situation has made me realize just how good I have it. How lucky I have been thus far in life, and I have been counting my blessings.

That being said, I feel it's necessary for me to do some more to help, however I can...

So I have decided that I am going to donate 100% of the sales from Oath (after the distributor's fee of coarse) to the American Red Cross - International Relief Fund. This is probably not going to be allot but, I think that the whole ideology that Oath is based on would make this decision a good one. Oath is about Honor, Duty, Service and a yearning for peace within ones self. And I feel we need to do more and give more where we can.

My mom called me up yesterday morning as I was leaving work and told me another 6.1 aftershock had hit the city. My mom is a nurse so she knows some people who are down there giving aid and she was worried about everyone. The people of the city, the doctors, Soldiers, search and rescue, everyone. And I couldn't believe that they had gotten hit again, thank God no one else died from that aftershock.

Then when I read this in a CNN article it sealed the deal for me:

"We have run out of IVs and IV needles and IV fluids," said Dr. Mark Hyman of the medical relief organization Partners in Health. "We've run out of surgical supplies. We have to wash with vodka, and we have to operate with hacksaws because we don't have enough operating tools."

Wow...

On to the specifics of the release. The Album/EP will be released on 02/02/2010. I have decided to try a new distribution system for this album. I am going to be going with ReverbNation as a distributor for this release. Doing so will allow us to give a much better package with a 4 page booklet (vs 2), Disc print, and insert print both in and out. This release will only be available from our ReverbNation store upon release. I am still working out the specifics on this piece so I will fill in details as I get them.

Thank you all for everything.

-Dave.

"Oath" News.

"Oath final cover art"

Wow, I never thought recording "Oath" would end up being so much fun!

Recording and working on it has been a blast. Right when I thought it was finished it began to take on a world of its own and we are off running again! With less than a month before the release date Me, Chaitan and Ed are busting balls to finish songs I didn't even conceive two months ago. It's starting to look like Oath might end up being a full length album instead of just an EP... We shall see where this takes us and we will work right up to the wire on this if we have to. Be prepared for some crazy shit, it's coming!

For now I really can't release a final track listing because I just don't know how many more songs we will finish before we are forced to call it quits. What I can tell you is that we have gone in and revamped a few of the original cuts and started making some killer new tracks. One of which is a track titled "Na'Vi". We were so inspired by James Cameron's epic 'Avatar' that we feel compelled to pay homage to it in song.

I have also been working on some exclusive tracks for my friends over at Alpha Swagger... More info on those soon!

What I can release now is the cover art! =)

This is gonna be good.

-Enjoy!!!

'Avatar' Smashes into my Top 3 films of all time.

There was allot of things about 2009 people couldn't wait to see go. We are all optimistically looking at 2010 as a time to reflect and refresh, to rebuild some of the things we fucked up in 2009. However, There was also allot of things that were great about 2009. In Particular, Films.

I started out the year strong. Living next door to the movie theater for 2 and a half years presented a great opportunity to see all the new releases, usually on opening night. I became sort of an amateur film critic and a reveled in the fact that if it was good, or bad I knew about it. Usually first before my friends or co-workers.

2009 had two great movies that stuck with me all year. Like "IronMan" and to a lesser extent "Hulk" in 2008 I was graced with the presence of "Star Trek" and "Terminator: Salvation". Both of these movies entered high in my new Top 25 movies of all time list, hell they are both in my top 10. And, for the majority of '09 I battled with friends over which was better. My personal take, on the Film making and acting aspect "Star Trek", it was Epic and Amazing. But In the character and story aspect "Terminator: Salvation" held a special place in my heart.

But this gridlock has come to an abrupt halt, there is a new Champion, "Avatar".

I just went to see James Camron's epic "Avatar" today at IMAX and I can't get it out of my head. The film was so amazing that it is almost borderline depressing to know that it was in fact, just a film. It had that deep almost spiritual quality to it that made you feel one with that universe, and to get up and walk out of the theater you knew all you had to look forward to was disappointment.
Everything about the film was epic. From how it was shot, to the story and characters, to the world it takes place in, to the music and sound. Everything is amazing. Some people have criticized the movie based upon the fact that when something is truly and genuinely a masterpiece, there needs to be shots taken at it. Some professional film geek, who hates movies like "Transformers" (Also good) because there is giant robots, explosions and Megan Fox, would take shots at the film and try to find cracks in its veneer just because the film is great unto itself. The general populace doesn't need this film geek to tell us that the movie is great and amazing, it shows us itself.

Simply put "Avatar" is great, and I can't wait to go see it again. I could write an essay on the movie but I won't. I will just tell you go see it for yourself, try to see it in IMAX for the best experience and prepare to be amazed. People who know me will tell you, for a film to enter the top 3, right behind "The Crow" is an amazing feat!

The new Top 3

New Davidoth EP, TFH Goodies.

Hey everyone,
So coming off some shitty news earlier, I have some awesome news concerning Davidoth, and The Focusing Halo! First, The Focusing Halo has launched it's new blog. The blog can be found here and will be updated regularly with news and info about The Focusing Halo, and there upcoming projects.
Secondly, The next Davidoth EP will be titled 'Oath', and is scheduled for a target release date of 02/02/2010. I don't have the finalized track list done yet, but the album will contain the following tracks; Oath, Ambivalence, Prismatic Star, I like Confessions, and Oceans.

I will update more info as soon as it's available! Until then... PROMO POSTER!




-Enjoy!

Business...

There it is, There it was. Some things were just not meant to turn out like you have planed. I am no longer in the band Silicone Feelings, which I suppose comes with mixed blessings. They have there way of doing things, and there ideas and I have mine. Best of luck to them and there new endeavors... Whatever those might be.

Onwards...

-Dave

What's Going On?

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to bring you up to speed on a few projects currently on going with Davidoth right now. First, We are still working on "Something You Could Never Understand" The next full length Davidoth album. Second, I recently started working on a collaboration with Remergence, when it's finished you will all know. Also, I have been working on some side work for an EP, remember that 'Dreamlake' thing I was blabbing about before... Yeah, like that just a little different. Again more details soon. Until then, go check out our ReverbNation page and enjoy some music! Later.

-Dave.

Inside The Artist - "Remergence"

"Remergence"

Ok, so as many of you know I have been super excited about this band Remergence as of late. I think they are great and one of the most refreshing bands out there right now. Last week I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Karen, Remergence's front woman, on her blog Blazing Minds for the segment - "Who's The Band?". It was an awesome experience and I was lucky enough to be able to return the favor! So I sat down with Karen and got some insight into the Inside of Remergence, who they are, how they work and how they feel about some of the issues we face as artists in the new millennium. Here it goes!

• So how did you come upon the name of your band? Is it the first name you chose?I've always been a big fan of Pink Floyd and when I was originally for an artists name, I was listening to Atom Heart Mother and there is was, screaming at me saying "use me!"
• Introduce each member and instrument played or role in the band? Well first of all there is myself Karen Woodham, founding member, most of the work we do is electronic so I would have to say I play computers, keyboards and samples! Jake Jones, JJ, has mainly been the production side of the duo, but on the last album "Lux Lucis Quod Vis Somnium" he came along and did a few tracks.
• So what genre of music would you say you are in and who are your major influences? It has to be the electronica genre as our music is electronic based, I personally have always been influenced by Orbital, Sven Vath and Tangerine Dream. JJ has always had a more classical side.
• How long have you known each other? Where did you first meet up? It's been a fair few years now, I started out as a solo artist and after several albums, I met JJ one day, in a pub of all places, and we got talking about music, so then we became a duo, but decided to keep the name Remergence as it was now a registered band name and it was already firmly rooted in fans minds.
• How long has you band been performing/producing music? What inspired to produce your style of music?I started playing around with music very early on, drums and keyboards were always my forte, but the first album was released in 1997. JJ plays keyboards, bass, guitar and flute! The inspiration for the style of music came from early on when mucking about with samples on computers could produce some interesting sounds!
• Are you signed to a record label (Indie or major)? I have my own label Atom Sounds which I started to promote myself and other bands that I have got friendly with over the years, but have recently been signed to the label EML Recordings..
• Where can people find your music? Do you have an official website?Now this is a big one, you can find our music almost everywhere these days such as iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Rhapsody, CDBaby, Shockhound to name but a few, you can also download tracks from ReverbNation (www.reverbnation.com/remergence), just do a search for Remergence and stacks of sites will pop up. You can find our official website at www.rembeatz.co.uk .
• Have your ever performed live? If so where and to how many?No! But you just never know, we may do one day...
• Who writes/produces the music and/or lyrics to your tracks? Both myself and JJ produce the music, we have used sample of vocals in the past, but we have also worked with EV from the group Corrientes on our last album on the track I Need You. We are looking to the new album been more "vocal" and our guest vocalists write the lyrics themselves.
• How would you describe your music-making process? It's a creative nightmare, only kidding, it's usually a case of just getting a the love for a certain sound or beat and then creating something from it, sometimes it can be a slow process, but we would like to think it's worth it in the end.. What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?I would have to say that the biggest challenge was getting started! That first attempt trying to get people to hear our music that had never heard of us before and then the struggle to try and build some online presence, so that more people would find and listen to our music, but, we did it in the end and now we have a comfortable following from around the world!
• What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune? To have fun! We've never looked at getting rich, though it would be nice, but we just love producing music and as long as we are enjoying do it and people are asking for new material then we'll keep doing it! What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands? Get yourself a website, not on free hosting, but your own domain name with your bands name, join forums, twitter, social networks and websites that allow you to promote your music for free such as ReverbNation, this will help build your fanbase. Don't rush your first album out, take your time with it and make it special.
• How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD? You can listen to a few tracks at ReverbNation (www.reverbnation.com/remergence) where we also have some fan exclusive tracks, you can also stream a good collection of albums on iTunes (www.itunes.com/remergence).
• Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support? My family have been very supportive as well as all my friends that I have met over the net in that last few years, that have given me advice, listened to our music and specially those that have given us financial support by purchasing our tracks, albums and merchandise across the net..
• Any last words? Thanks for the opportunity for the interview ;)

There you have it! Thanks so much for the interview Karen! Keep making amazing music!

Interview!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to fill you in on a few quick things. First, I was interviewed by my good friend Karen over at Blazing Minds Blog for her new segment "Who's The Band?" The interview was great and It was a huge honor to have Davidoth be the first band interviewed, I am so psyched about that! Looks like some great new fans were exposed to our music from that interview as well, so I am very grateful for Blazing Minds having me! Second, I will be posting an Interview with Karen from Remergence here friday, as well as a new "Artist of the Week" so stay tuned for that! And Lastly, there may be some upcoming info on the two in-progress Davidoth projects, and the TFH album posted soon, so stay tuned!

Another Night Without You - Single

"Another Night Without You" Digi Single




Davidoth is proud to announce that you can now purchase the new Davidoth album "28 Discs Later" EP, and the new Digital single "Another Night Without You" from there Snocap store below!

"Another Night Without You" was the ultra rare single release from 2006's EP "Into The Blue". It has since been remastered and made available as a digital single, exclusively from the Davidoth store on Snocap! Check it out!

Good night tonight.

Tonight was pretty sweet. I spent the evening with my cousin Denver, who I taught the ropes of Engineering and the basics of production. We ended up taking a few runs on a track I was working on before he came over. Then we layed down 2 new tracks that came out pretty sweet! Also earlier today I started penning yet another piano piece, and recorded an early demo of it.
All in all, a sweet night.

Artist of the Week - Remergence : This is Electronica

Artist of the Week: Remergence

If you haven't heard of the English Electronica group Remergence, your missing out! I discovered them a while back on Twitter and have been following the mastermind behind them Karen Woodham since I joined Twitter.

I remember I found them on a #MusicMonday search and Karen had posted there homepage there http://www.rembeatz.co.uk/ , when I got onto the site the embedded music player started running and that was it, I was hooked!

What separates Remergence from other Electronica acts, in my opinion, is the tonal diversity they use in there music. Remergence isn't relying on a single genre of Electronic music that is radio, or rave friendly and getting into a safe spot with it. They are branching out. Sometimes a hard house beat blasting at you, sometimes a trance vibe scoops you up and fly's you into space, and sometimes they use minimalistic expressionism to make you forget there is anything going on around you.. except the music.

I also like that Karen doesn't over dominate, or under dominate her music with vocals. She has a great voice that naturally fits an electronica vibe, but she uses it right. Some songs she will sing all through, other songs she uses her voice as a tool in there arsenal of melodies and delivers outstanding results consistently. No corny, disco boggy fever bull shit. No over synthed techo vocoders. Just a consistently solid vocal range delivered where and when it's needed.

The production quality is spot on. Jake Jones takes the helm on the mixer and does an incredible job of mixing a blend of euphoria and soundscapes, or a sonic wall of power when the song calls for it. Jake also lays down Keys and Drums alongside Karen, and fulfills the mixing, sequencing and engineering duties. Together the duo creates amazing music!

Remergence also takes good care of their fans. Not only does there website stream a near endless amount of material for your listening pleasure, but they offer free tracks, and fan exclusives on a regular basis. Keep your fans happy, and they will keep you happy.

Electronica is a broad, amazing genre of music. People often associate it with raves and clubs, they don't realise that it's in there films, and on there TVs in soundtracks. Remergence is a group that stays true to the roots of Electronica and also paves the future of the genre with there constant innovation and by putting out quality music constantly. I highly recommend them, and if you like good music, especially electronica you need to visit there site and have a listen! You will not be sorry!

Visit : Remergence @ http://www.rembeatz.co.uk/

-Enjoy!