|
| "Piano was my first instrument, I started when I was really young. My dad played guitar and my older brother played the saxophone. My dad pretty much made his own rhythm section-we'd just sit around and jam," says singer/songwriter David Lichens, recalling his earliest musical memories.
"For my ninth birthday, my parents bought me an electric guitar," continues Lichens. "My dad taught me guitar licks-he taught me 'No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn' by the Beastie Boys," he says with a smile. "He was excited to teach me as long as I wanted to learn. I also learned Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, and old soul like Marvin Gaye."
Performing bluesy rock with upbeat melodies, "soulful" is one constant that floats throughout David Lichens music. Putting out his first collection of songs as a singer/songwriter, "Hurt So Much" is a good example of Lichens' music. The song blends soulful rock with sliding guitar riffs, topped off with a psychedelic rock chorus that would fit perfectly with the Beatles' late 60s-era sound. On the flip side, Lichens also includes ballads such as "When You Come Down," revealing honest emotions and melodies that cut straight to the heart.
Born within the tree-lined surroundings of Portland, Oregon, Lichens spent his early years immersed in music. Born the son of a notable jazz guitarist, music was about as natural as breathing for him, a language taught and lovingly passed down from his father.
As he continued to perfect his musicianship and songwriting, Lichens started listening to bands such as U2, The Verve and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, gravitating to rock tunes that were both soulful, yet simple, in the best possible way. "There's beauty in the simplicity of [their music]. Like Tom Petty, he has so many hits from beginning to end. Anybody could sing those songs, but it wouldn't really sound the same." And what makes it uniquely his own? Lichens adds, "It's his soul."
Later moving to Nashville, Lichens wrote more songs and also played guitar for rock band, Petra. Described by Lichens as "the Aerosmith of Christian rock," he gained valuable, worldwide touring experience, with success in the form of Petra's gold and platinum records.
Yet Lichens' true desire was to play his own music. After moving to Los Angeles, and a short stint fronting rock band Revolver, he put out a demo that caught the attention of EMI Publishing's Matt Messer (Blink-182, Slipknot and Lit). Messer encouraged him to go out on his own-to write, sing and play his music in a style that best reflected his personality. Lichens felt that acoustic rock was the right fit, keeping the music raw and pure.
"I'll sit around and write all my songs on my acoustic guitar on my couch," explains Lichens. "Then I'd go and play acoustically for people in their offices. I love playing that way; that's the main thing. But I think when I sat down and played them by myself, people got the songs right away."
Keeping the songs simple and good is the key, and Lichens agrees. "Marvin Gaye's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is the most simple blue progression," he says. "But it's the way he sings it-what he puts into it that makes his music good. It's that 'thing' that everybody strives for."
And if you'd hear exactly what that 'thing' sounds like, take a listen to David Lichens.
Biography by Mari Fong |
Matt Messer
