Q: Hey, for those who aren’t familiar with your music, could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Dave Cowen and I’m a London-based songwriter. I previously studied at the Leeds College of music and gigged around Yorkshire with a few bands. This was in the MySpace era and social media was in its infancy. The idea of releasing my own music online and collaborating via the Internet wasn’t really a done thing (or I was a bit clueless at the time 🙂
I spent 11 years making music for computer games (Nitrome/Miniclip) and after working on over 180 games I felt creatively a bit washed out. The need to earn money kicked in and I got a regular job.
Inspired by an early midlife crisis and a Jarvis Cocker podcast something clicked in 2022 and I decided I want to make my own music again. ‘Brew’ is me on a plate.
Q: You recently released your new single ” Editor of all things ” can you tell us what the song is about?
It’s quite a playful song about the process of songwriting, having complete control over everything as the editor (melody/lyrics, etc). Once the song is written it’s then about dealing with all the failure, and self-doubt that I often feel after the creative process. I also snook in a final chorus dedication to my other half who had badgered me for years to be included in a song!
Q: What inspirations do you take when writing your music?
I largely write on the piano so I need an idea to trigger an emotion and interest me before I commit to developing it further. Once the music takes shape the lyrics seem to come from thin air.
After making short loop-based music for games for many years the goal was always to create the feeling of movement and change so that whilst the loop keeps repeating as a listener you don’t get bored. Tetris music is the perfect example of this. For me, the challenge when writing my own music is channeling my emotion into a song and telling a story that has meaning whilst keeping me interested.
Q: Who are your current favorite new artists?
Alt J, Fink, and Michael Kiwanuka are my favorites of mine. Douglas Dare and Deza are worth checking out.
Q: Who would your dream collaboration be with, and why?
Stevie Wonder. To be able to work with such a musical genius would be extra special for me.
Q: What does the rest of the year have in store for you?
My New Year’s resolution was to try and release a new song every month. I have 4 pretty much written so only 8 to go!
I’d love to play some of my songs out live also so I’m also on the lookout for a London-based singer.
Finally, I want to collaborate with other artists/writers. My long-term goal isn’t to be an artist in my own right but to exist in the shadows and write for other people.
