INTERVIEW: Davina and the Vagabonds

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Hi Davina, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

I’m doing great! Buzzing around like a busy bee for sure. Lots of amazing things happening and about to happen.

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Little Miss Sunshine”?

It’s Little Miss Moonshine not sunshine… ♥️ it’s about how important it is to be yourself and no one else while sharing music.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

Absolutely. I see dishonesty in music all around me. It’s more personal than that for me and very much regarding a personal situation. The music and lyrics speak for themselves.

How was the filming process and experience behind the video?

There is no video, but if there was… it would kick ass.

The single comes off your new album Sugar Drops – what’s the story behind the title?

The album started with writing the ‘ Sugar Drops’  song. I spent a lot of time with loss and processing massive change… dealing with letting things go and fighting through deep level of sadness in changes and loss. To me each song is drop of growth, a drop of hope, drops of sass, depression, some anger, some patience. I’m learning to sit with myself and except all that my heart holds. To me that’s sweet like sugar. The outcome is honest heart and knowledge. Can’t beat that.

How was the recording and writing process?

It’s always emotional and overwhelming for me. It takes some strength to share your vulnerability and sitting with that while writing can be a bit much. I can tell you I made a therapy session recently because I had to process  a lot of my past to get some of these songs.

The recording process is so final. It was a relief to have these songs and chapters of my life set in stone.

What was it like to work with Garry West and how did that relationship develop?

It was my first time working with a producer and I’m happy Garry was the first. He introduced me to some fine musicians. He threw me to the wolves with this new way of recording I never did before and I believe there is magic on this album due to that.

How much did he get to influence the album?

He introduced me to the song ‘Holy Cow,’ I fell in love the song, especially Allen Toussaint’s version, due to being a huge fan of his songwriting, arranging, and piano playing.  He also strongly influenced having guitar textures throughout the album, which has never happened in any other album of mine. (Six total prior to this album.)

What role did Nashville play in the music and writing on this record?

The Nashville players on the album were amazing, heavy hitters with amazing musicality and deep knowledge of music. Zack (my ride or die, husband, trumpet player, horn and string arranger) and I wanted to get out of town to record. We wanted to do something that we never did before, in terms of a new album/experience. I don’t believe there was a better place than Nashville to achieve what we wanted. Our amazing Record label, Red House Records moved to Nashville from MPLS (where we are from) and with it went an amazing woman Angie Carlson – our main squeeze with PR – we wanted to be part of that move with RHR.

What were some of the emotions you get to explore on this record?

Love lost, new love, hope, jealousy, vulnerability, tenacity, anger, hopelessness… I gotta tell you – I feel a lot always and I take no prisoners. I’ve always been that way, even as a child. (My poor Mom.. )

Where else did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?

Everything, everyone.

Any plans to hit the road?

Always. I’ve been on the road for the past decade. We have tours already lined up in the US (both coasts) and around the world. I’ll be traveling to amazing places this year for the first time — Australia,  Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Brazil — and we’re also making sure we visit our amazing fans in cities we love and frequent.

Schedule at davinaandthevagabonds.com/shows

What else is happening next in Davina and The Vagabonds’ world?

Writing, loving, experiencing… we will be going on a few tours with Hot Club of Cowtown in 2020, one of my favorite Western Swing bands. I just want to continue to spread smiles, hope, and heart to anyone that will have me.

PRE-ORDER: https://lnk.to/sugardropsEM

JUN 27                              Edmonton, AB – Edmonton International Jazz Festival

JUN 28                              Vancouver, BC  – Vancouver International Jazz Festival

JUN 29                              Victoria, BC  – Victoria International JazzFest

JUL12 – JUL 18                Edinburgh, Scotland – Edinburgh Jazz Festival

JUL 20                               Brooklyn, NY – On Stage at Kingsborough

JUL 24                               New York, NY – The Iridium

JUL 25                               Southbury, CT – Riverview Cinema and Playhouse

JUL 26                               Old Lyme CT – The Side Door

JUL 27                               Hiram, ME – Ossipee Valley Music Festival

JUL 28                               Shirley MA – The Bull Run

AUG 5                               Minneapolis, MN – Guthrie Thtr. ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

AUG 8                               Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Bandstand

AUG10                              Colorado Springs, CO – Music on The Mesa

AUG16 – 17                      Gainesville, GA – The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center

SEP 7                                Jerusalem, Israel – Ganei Tikva Cultural Center

SEP 9                                Herzliya, Israel – Jerusalem Theater

SEP 10                              Modiin, Israel – Zappa Club

SEP 11                              Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel – Azrieli Mall

SEP 12                              Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel  – Tel Aviv Museum of Art

SEP 13                              Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel  – Tel Aviv Museum of Art

SEP 16                              Budapest, Hungary – MomKult

SEP 18 – 19                       Paris, France – Duc des Lombards

SEP 20                              Czech Republic – Jazz Dock

SEP 21                              Vienna, Austria – Porgy & Bess

OCT 12                             Red Wing, MN  – Sheldon Theatre

NOV 9                               Porto Alegre – Barra Shopping Sul

NOV 12                             São Paulo, Brazil – Teatro Opus