By anyone’s definition, Dave Des is a songwriting late bloomer, but his debut album, Catharsis Caught, proves that inspiration can strike when the timing is right. After decades of urban living, a recent move to a quiet island with a thriving creative community awakened something deep in his soul, triggering a flood of expression through his songs.
It may have taken longer for his stories and emotions to find their way into song, but Dave Des believes it’s never too late. Through his music, he hopes to inspire others to reflect, reconnect, and rediscover the depth of their own experiences. After all, we all hold the power to give meaning to life and to remember, to feel, and to share again.
With his debut album, Catharsis Caught, out now, we took some time to hear from Dave Des. Read below to learn more about Dave Des, the story behind Catharsis Caught, and what’s to come.
Hi Dave Des! Let’s start with how did you choose your artist name?
Des is short for my French Canadian last name Desormeaux, which is quite a mouthful for most!
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I can safely say that, after almost 40 years in British Columbia, I’m a certified West Coaster! My childhood was in urban Montreal and my formidable years as a teen and young adult were lived in Quebec’s rural Easter Townships.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I’ve been playing guitar and singing cover songs that moved me since my mid-teens. As a young adult, I played cover tunes regularly in pubs and events, but it was only for fun and for a little extra cash while I was in college and university.
How would you describe your sound?
I’m still grappling with the genre question. Pop? indie-rock? Alt folk? All I can say for sure is that my songs ask you to reflect, challenge and check-in with your feelings, your preconceived notions, what is important in life and how to not only survive but embrace our short time on this fragile earth.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
When I’m not writing songs I love making my own music videos. Spending quality time with my immediate family is more important than anything else though (even music!) because you never know when your time comes to cross over and the last thing you want at the end is deep regrets.
Which is your favorite music video that you have made so far?
I get a real creative charge out of blending video out of context with their original intent with other unrelated video to create something new. I heavily modify them and layer them over each other to complement the song’s lyrical storyline. Ironically, the most simple video that does none of that is “Poison Envy,” which has gone viral on YouTube. I’d like to think that it’s the story and it’s the eclectic personalities and familiar locations I showcase on this beautiful island that draw people to it.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Radiohead is my favourite band of all-time, but I’d like to think that all the Motown greats like Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Bill Withers have informed my songwriting in some way too.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
This is my debut album, so that’s an easy question. This past April 24th when I held my album release event for my closest family, friends and fans. It was a moment I had never envisioned until it all began taking form less than two years ago. Seeing it on vinyl and hearing how beautifully it all flowed from beginning to end was so special.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
That learning is an ongoing process from birth to death. If you think you know it all, then it’s time to shut up and listen, because life’s greatest lessons imho are about humility, respect, love, and peace.
Now onto your release, Catharsis Caught. What inspired this album?
The creative community was so supportive on this beautiful island I had just moved to, and it was such a needed change from the fast and noisy pace of my decades of city living. The title track encourages following your heart and tuning out the noise that gets in the way of fulfilling your dreams. While that song is loosely based on a person I met, it does touch on me opening my mind to telling stories through song and silencing the discouraging voices in my head that said it’s too late in life to start writing and recording your own songs and wearing your heart out on your sleeve for everyone to hear.
What is the overall theme of Catharsis Caught?
My producer and I carefully chose songs that stood on their own and didn’t sound similar to each other musically or topic wise. At the time that I began songwriting, I was reading Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being. Regarding what to write songs about he said, “Zoom in and obsess. Zoom out and observe. We get to choose.” I feel that I focused on specific situations in some songs and got all big picture philosophical in others. I’d like to think that a common thread is self-awareness and that we are unique, just like everyone else!
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for Catharsis Caught?
The cover artwork is actually lifted from my single release cover photo “Poison Envy.” The song examines a side we can have that is jealous of others, that pretends to be supportive but sometimes deep down wants others to fail so that we can feel better about our own shortcomings. My lyrics unveil how we can be two-faced with one side being green with envy and the more self-aware red side is saying “somebody save me from me, from this poison envy.” Being aware that not all manifestations of our personality are positive is half the battle and that they can coexist with the “good” side governing our actions.
What was the creative process like when making Catharsis Caught?
Less than two years ago, I wrote a song, which didn’t end up on the album, but it triggered something deep inside me, a kind of newfound confidence that I can tell a compelling story that not only satisfied my creative musing, but might actually be something worth sharing with others. Suddenly, the creative floodgates opened and songs were coming out of me every few weeks right up until the album was still being recorded. I was playing my new songs with a band live with amazingly talented local musicians and, by the time it came to going into the studio, they had created parts that brought my words and music to life.
How long did it take to complete Catharsis Caught?
About two months. There was a break before the anticipated release date, and I wrote two more songs that fit in with the vibe of the others, so we went back into the studio and recorded them live off the floor.
Is there a specific song on Catharsis Caught that speaks to you the most? If so, why?
“More Than Blue” taps into the deepest, most empathetic, sensitive and feeling part of my soul. I still have trouble performing it sometimes without my voice breaking up crying. It’s a song about love and hope in the darkest of dark times.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from Catharsis Caught and your music in general?
Life is short, love yourself first so that you can properly love others, and it’s never too late to switch things up and try something new!
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
While they’ve slowed somewhat, the songs and musical stories are still coming out of me, and I’m letting them take shape and performing them locally. I’m seeing how much traction I get with this album before considering touring nationally or internationally. I’ll definitely make another music video or two in support of this album.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Artist website: https://davedesmusic.com/home
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davedesmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560470606494
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davedesmusic
Streaming platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/davedes/catharsis-caught
Bandcamp: https://davedes.bandcamp.com/album/catharsis-caught
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
