DAVY BOI’S DIRTY MIND
Davy Boi has a Dirty Mind and he’s not afraid to use it!
Yours to enjoy!
DNA: We’re obsessed with your Dirty Mind. Where did that track come from? Davy: Thank you so much. Dirty Mind came out of a songwriting session with my producer Johan last year. It started with a bassline and instantly I started humming my chorus melody idea. I’d just had this super-promising date with a rather attractive guy. I’d been badly wanting a relationship, but it turned out he just wanted a couple of hook-ups and was rebounding from a break-up so I was bummed. Then the lyrics just kind of wrote themselves.
Prince had a song called Dirty Mind. How does his dirty mind compare to yours? Prince is a musical deity, so I’m just giddy we have the same song title. Why the name Davy Boi?
My godsister, Sarah, always called me Davy Boi. When I was deciding on an artist name, I said to myself, Sarah says it in a cute and corny way, but it’s hip when you just say it plainly. Sexy even.
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been a vocalist since I was very young, and I’d written a couple of songs back then, but started with showtunes. Flash forward ten years and I began to seriously write and record
music in my college years. Now I’ve been in Los Angeles pursuing it seriously for three years. You’re influenced by Troye Sivan and Frank Ocean. Have you met them?
Gosh, no, I wish I’d met and knew them both personally. The goal would be to have them both in my contacts. Frank and I could bond over drinking Mezcal and watching cable news. Troye and I would probably be good shopping mates! [Laughs]
Have you had any music celebrity encounters we need to know about?
Billie Eilish is a nice one I had recently. Last year I also worked with Jared Leto on a music video and that was great.
Do you plan to win Grammys and turn to movies a la Gaga?
Sure. I’d be totally lying if I said anything else. Lady Gaga is a huge inspiration for me. I cried all the way through A Star Is Born, mainly because I was so proud of her. I went to acting school and it’s a huge passion of mine. I was going to either pursue music as a songwriter/ artist or go back to school and study to be an entertainment lawyer. But an Oscar winner, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, heard my music at a songwriting workshop and loved it, and said, “Keep songwriting!” So I did.
Is it true that Aretha Franklin made a big impression on you?
Aretha is an icon. Mostly it’s her stage presence and soul. I first realised I wanted to be a singer and entertainer watching an Aretha performance. It’s one thing to just sing a song beautifully, but it’s something completely brilliant to bring a song to life and make it an experience.
You’re an openly queer artist in 2019. Is that a challenge, a statement or just another aspect of you?
In terms of reaching fans and being able to be your most authentic-self, this past 18 months or so, being openly queer, has been a total blessing. It’s not a massive statement, rather, I’d call being openly queer a positive affirmation of one of my identities. People want to connect with the real artist. On the other hand, the challenge is that on the music charts there is still a lack of queer representation, and for queer artists of colour even more so. That may be due to queer artists being marketed as a niche or sub-genre. I’m a pop music artist making music influenced by my identity, but it’s pop music first. That can also have a queerpop subgenre.
When you were growing up who were your musical heroes?
Mika was a huge hero of mine, also Sam Sparro, then Jake Shears. At the time I could recognise in them what I was realising in myself – they were flamboyantly expressing themselves through their music, even if not through their public statements. Later, Frank Ocean as an influence and hero, not solely because of his music, but really because until July 2012 I didn’t know culture would support a queer person of colour having a music career. Tell us about your background and where you grew up.
I grew up in the south of the USA in Louisiana. When I was a teenager I moved to San Francisco and studied art. Going to a performing arts school is really wild and you’re always staying creative, so that helped me
Frank Ocean as a hero, not solely because of his music, but because I didn’t know culture would support a queer person of colour having a music career.
become well rounded as an artist.
What was your coming out like?
I never really came out; my family just knew I was queer, so it was probably easier than most. I have a religious family but they are also very liberal and support me fully. One day my mom asked me when I was going to “bring a nice boy home” for her to meet. I was caught off-guard and said, “When I find one that likes me!” Because I was always in the arts community, my being gay was never really an issue. I was more teased about being overweight when I was growing up.
What does your family do that keeps you close?
We have annual baking competitions around the holiday season and there’s a pie contest and a cookie contest. I love to bake.
Are you romantically attached?
Not currently. I’m single but really hoping for a boyfriend soon.
What would he be like?
Someone kind, creative, smart, charming, sometimes submissive but sassy and cute, who enjoys live shows, is physically active and has a nice butt. That would be good!
What are the big issues in the world that concern you?
The lack of compassion for immigrants by certain people; a lack of understanding and acceptance for people of different gender identities; populism and nationalist movements that are challenging my belief that we are all global citizens. Lastly, a lack of connection, even while we are super interconnected via our smartphones.
What does your 2019 look like?
My 2019 is about introducing myself to new fans and connecting those people who are finding my music. The ultimate goal is to play shows with an act that’s a good fit like Lizzo, Cub Sport or DaniLeigh or Mabel.
When can we expect more music from you? I’ll have an EP or two out by the end of 2019 and hope for a full album in 2020. I’m in this for the long haul so get ready to watch me grow.