Interview: Vienna, Austria Based Singer-Songwriter Dave McKendry Discusses His Song/Video "Colourblind"
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“The song was born out of my complicated relationship with the complicated town I’m from: Belfast. With the heightened focus on racism in the last couple of years I found myself in a few conversations where I wasn’t really able to relate - racism wasn’t really something I was familiar with growing up - for me it was all about sectarianism. ”
Tell us about how your travels across Europe and your current residence in Vienna have influenced and impacted the music you create?
The funny thing about leaving home is it becomes highlighted in your memory and identity. Wherever you travel people tend to perceive you as being a person from wherever you’re from. At the same time absence (often) makes the heart grow fonder, so I’ve got a lot of love from where I’m from and that’s been highlighted.
I write more about where I’m from than I ever did when I was living there. When you’re landlocked you tend to appreciate the sea a little more, even if I’ve always loved it. That’s content. In terms of craft I created the opportunity for myself to be a full time writer so I’ve studied and practiced my craft a lot more since leaving home, both alone and with other writers, producers and artists.
In terms of the human element in my music, it’s been incredibly inspiring to experience that everywhere I go the overwhelming majority of people are good people. I carry that with me and try to instill it in my music.
Congratulations on the release of your single/video "Colourblind"; tell us about what initially motivated you to write/record the song, and what the reception to it has been like so far.
Thanks very much. The song was born out of my complicated relationship with the complicated town I’m from: Belfast. With the heightened focus on racism in the last couple of years I found myself in a few conversations where I wasn’t really able to relate - racism wasn’t really something I was familiar with growing up - for me it was all about sectarianism.
Where I’m from it came down to tribal colours. Colours you couldn’t see by looking at someone’s skin. So when I was growing up we looked deeper with questions like, “where do you come from?” We were only trying to get to the colours underneath to find out if we were safe or in danger. It was a strange thing to realise my perspective was so different and that something which should be a good thing - looking beyond the skin - had been twisted for us into something ugly.
As for the reception I don’t really know. People have told me they like it and that’s obviously nice but I try not to worry too much about how it’s performing and focus on writing music I love.
Can we expect to hear "Colourblind" on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can tell us about it?
I’m currently in talks with my label about working on an album together. I’m sure “Coloublind” will be on it and I’m excited to release a lot more music in the coming months. For over a year now I’ve been in the studio working to shape my music into something I’m happy with and proud to share. That time is getting closer and closer but that’s about all I can say for now.
When someone listens to "Colourblind" for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the experience?
I don’t expect anyone to pick up on all the lyrics or the meaning of all of them on a first listen. If they’re curious enough to listen a second time, then maybe dig a little deeper, I’d love to think it inspires them to think about the people around them and how they interact and treat one another. There’s a lot of noise in the world. Despite my job being to create noises I’d like to do anything other than contribute to that noise. I’d like to give a little space to people. Maybe help encourage them to take a little more space for themselves. Maybe inspire them to be kinder to themselves and others. I think people want to be good. I’d like to encourage that.
With “Colourblind” now released, what's next for you musically?
Right now I’m working on the next single. I’ve got a drawer full of songs to work through and more coming all the time but they’re all on hold until the next single is ready to go.