Seven Davis Jr – Influences

Movies and films inspire me. This movie is where my deep interest in Prince was born. Specifically the way he blended his sounds, visuals, fashion and story. It played a big part in teaching me how musical inspiration can be pulled from any and every moment of life. Plus so many other things are happening in the movie around the music, is he gay, is he straight, is he a genius, is he a dick, is he misunderstood, is he a romantic or a playboy? So many levels that still speak to moments in my own life.

The most influential album MJ made for me was “Off The Wall”. However, Captain EO combined his sound, visuals, a story but it also included technology and science fiction. Captian EO used to be a 3D ride at Disney World. To see the film you had to get into a spaceship shaped theater first, then the movie played on the spaceship front window screen. The stars, lazers, that little fury flying thing would all zip right past you. Til this day I haven’t seen a better 3D presentation. Plus the film was directed by George Lucas (Star Wars). I consider my music to be very futuristic and seeing this film as a child really inspired me early on to stay with the futuristic force.

Along with combining music, film and science fiction David Bowie added an element of theatre into this art. Something I also enjoy. Although Purple Rain and Captain EO both displayed the artists as characters, they were still very much Prince and Michael Jackson. Ziggy Stardust seemed to make it very clear that he wasn’t just David Bowie in costume. The music even took on a different character itself. Something I like to experiment with regularly when I’m creating.

While Basquait’s art definitely was inspiring, I find his life in general to be a bit more inspiring. How he lived, his somewhat innocent disposition. Also how his life and art career played out. As well as the lessons I learned just hearing details of his adventures in the art world. Listening to him share his opinions about fame, politics, money, the industry etc. He definitely inspires me when it comes to being the type of artist you know you are without letting material things or scenes corrupt.

While I’m a fan of Stevie Wonders various years, something about Stevie in the 70’s really stands out to me. I wasn’t on Earth in the 70’s so I wasn’t there but thanks to the internet I’ve been album to catch up on all his previous years. Of all his moments in music, again what he was doing in the 70’s is my favourite. As a live performer in general the songs really come alive when Stevie sings them and then you go back to his recordings with a new respect. An inspiring quality.

While “Hey Ya!” isn’t my favourite track from the album, the video is. When I first heard this album I was going through one of the darker experimental times in my journey and a really good friend (who I miss) walked into my garage one night where I was recording and basically told me I needed to hear it right away. From then on I was like, this Andre 3000 get’s it. I felt like Andre 3000 got us. Like he understood all the left fielders, the new creative minds on the under, the odd artists on the rise, the changes in music to come. I feel like Andre 3000 is the Hendrix of our time and I thought that way before he played Hendrix on the movie screen.

So I think the first time I heard his name was in those Austin Powers movies. I remember looking up his music expecting to find something silly (because of Austin Powers) but then found myself completely enchanted. After that I immediately started listening to all his productions. He worked with so many amazing artists. He created so many beautiful arrangements. People laugh when I tell them this but I think Burt Bacharach is one of the greatest producers in History.

Aretha is another artist who’s live performances I tend to listen to more than recordings. Although obviously I enjoy her recordings, something about her live is really magical. Maybe it’s her gospel background that I relate to. It’s for sure the soul and strength of her voice. This performance in Amsterdam is one of my favourites from her. She has definitely inspired me over the years.

Dilla inspired me as a producer and occasionally as a vocalist. As a producer he inspired me to not be afraid to blend styles. He taught me (for example) I could take my love for hip hop drums and blend it with house music keys. He taught me it’s okay to make a song that had a brazillian bass line with an alternative rock styled melody. He taught me it’s okay to make a crazy abstract beat and then sing classical styled jazz vocals over it. He just inspired me to be unafraid to experiment. He also inspired me as a lyricist. While Dilla wasn’t a vocalist and I’m not a rapper, the way he used his lyrics in sync with the beat at times was really inspiring to me as a writer and vocalist. Dilla taught me that you can like all types of music and put the different genres together however you desire. He also taught me that if your music is coming from a honest place and a few people don’t like it, fuck them, keep loving what you do and doing what you love.

A lot of people think my name is a rip off of Sammy Davis Jr. My first name was actually Samuel before becoming Sev. My sir name is actually Davis. Anyways, before Prince, before Stevie Wonder, before Michael Jackson, the first artists that influenced me were Sammy Davis Jr & The Rat Pack. Specifically Sammy Davis Jr & Frank Sinatra. The way they delivered their songs, the emotion, the passion, the charm, the class. They were true gentlemen on stage, they seriously connected with their audience. There was a certain respect they gave the music while on stage that words really can’t explain. Legends.