Joshua Davis Takes Five
Joshua Davis is a Michigan-based performing songwriter, educator, husband, and father. His work is rooted in American folk traditions and history, but modern and expansive enough to have landed a finalist spot on season 8 of NBC’s “The Voice.” This guy is busy. As such, we’re super excited to be hosting him at atac for an intimate performance on Friday February 24. We caught up with Davis and asked him to answer five questions before jumping back on the road.
Before we get started…
We’d like to take a second to mention some of Davis’ awesome community work. While not touring, Davis helps bring Michigan musicians to Michigan students (K-12) with his nonprofit On Stage 4 Kids. He’s given a TEDx talk following the release of A Miracle Of Birds, focusing on his experience as a Jewish-American in the Palestinian West Bank. His singular work resulting in the recording of A Miracle Of Birds was with the non-profit On the Ground for the Run Across Palestine (5-day, 129 ultra-marathon) helping to raise funds in support of fairtrade olive farming communities in the West Bank. We told you, he’s busy!
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atac: What’s your earliest memory of a “wow” moment with live music?
Joshua Davis: I was raised mostly in Detroit, but spent a lot of time in Michigan's Upper Peninsula as well. My parents took me to music festivals when I was a kid. I remember seeing Dave Van Ronk play when I was small and it blew my mind. I think that's when my relationship with music really began.
atac: The Mayor! Good pick. How about recordings? Got a handful you could playback forever?
JD: Joni Mitchell’s Blue. My wife turned me on to this album. I knew about Joni, but really began digging into it. I don't think there's a better intimate songwriter album.
Mississippi John Hurt’s Today! started me on a guitar path.
Brown Album from The Band—such a mix of real deal American music … from a bunch of Canadians and a guy from Arkansas.
Lastly, Laurel Premo’s Golden Loam. One of my current faves from a Michigan luminary.
atac: That Golden Loam LP is no joke — wow! New to us, thanks! How about shows you saw more as a grown up, or growing up?
JD: Levon Helm at Meijer Gardens. This was a year before he passed away. The best band.
I saw Nirvana at Michigan State Fairgrounds for the In Utero tour. This was my first rock show with friends in high school. Shortly followed by hundreds of other concerts.
Atac: We noted some of your nonprofit work up top—what else are you up to?
JD: I teach songwriting at Interlochen Arts Academy. I've been on the faculty for two years. It's my first full time job! I also cook and have a BIG family.
atac: As a veteran of the road, got any advice for aspiring performers?
JD: Be grateful. You will only be a small piece of the jigsaw that is the concert. There are many hands at work, and many people that pay hard earned money to come see you. Gratitude. Endless gratitude for being able to share your craft.
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Joshua Davis performs live at atac on Friday February 24. Grab tickets here.
