Triple Threat Presley Davis Jr
Australian based multi genre artist Presley Davis Jr has done something most musicians will never do…he has released three singles on the same day…again. A sentimental jazz song, a country ode to heartache and a sultry soul gem make up the trifecta single release from singer-songwriter, actor and creative. Heart of My Heart, Showdown and Convincing Me, all serve as another teaser of what’s to come when Presley releases three albums simultaneously, Roadside Magnolia, Torana Americana and Birdlife, which are all due out on the 23rd of July. Before the massive release day we caught up with Presley to chat about the Elececta Trifecta and how this switched on artist is beating Spotify at their own game.
Presley, you have just simultaneously released your three new singles, Heart Of My Heart, Showdown & Convincing Me. Is it difficult to deliver more than one single at the same time?
To be frank it is difficult for the powers that be more so than the artist. As you know, Spotify has demonetized all songs on its platform with less than 1000 plays so it is now more important than ever for artists to get featured on a playlist. Spotify allows you to “pitch” to playlisters once every 28 days, but only one track at a time. Then, once a track goes live on Spotify it can never be “pitched” again. In the old days, you would release a few singles to hype your record, release your record and then release another follow-up single or two. You can’t do that on Spotify, you have to release or “pitch” any single BEFORE you upload your record as a whole. Once that record goes live on their platform each song on it will be ineligible for “playlist pitching”. Oddly they are not concerned if it is released on other platforms, so all my music will drop on my Bandcamp page on the release date. I will then trickle singles onto Spotify 28 days at a time to play by their rules and that will take me well into 2026 on that platform.
The three new tracks come from your forthcoming three new albums, Roadside Magnolia, Torana Americana & Birdlife. Can you tell us about the new albums, does each have their own story? Are they all in the same genre?
Roadside Magnolia is a New Orleans-style jazz record. My father loved the tenor banjo and I grew up playing these songs with him. I even got my first contract to perform playing this music 6 nights a week when I was 17 years old. Despite all of that I had never recorded an album and it was time to correct that mistake and give it the love it deserves.
Torana Americana - When I was only a toddler my parents were in a bluegrass band and I have an older brother who is a terrific fiddle player so country music runs in my blood. Even if I was playing a soul set or a blues set at a pub, chances are that a country or bluegrass number would pop out. I’ve always played a lot of country, but I was never in a country band and it turns out I loved making this record so there will be another country album at some point for sure.
Birdlife - I grew up between Chicago and St. Louis and there were a lot of great blues bands about. Throughout my teens and twenties, I was exposed to a lot of soul music, blues, and funk. I fell in love with those sounds. When I finally moved to Australia I immediately fell into a crowd of musicians who share the same passions so I have a lot of song ideas in these styles and Birdlife is a collection of those.
“It dawned on me that I hadn’t embarked on a lot of the projects I had always intended to. ”
What inspired you to attempt the Elececta Trifecta?
Like a lot of people during the Covid lockdowns, I was doing some heavy reflection. It dawned on me that I hadn’t embarked on a lot of the projects I had always intended to. What if I died of COVID before I could? It was scary stuff to contemplate but there we were so I decided to start writing and recording during that time and it evolved into this project.
What challenges did you face making the 3 bodies of work at the same time?
So many musicians buy recording gear and tell their partners “I need this stuff” but never make anything. I was definitely in that camp. I had the stuff sitting in my house but I found the learning curve overwhelming and would always get frustrated. Well, lockdowns gave me all the time I needed to teach myself how to do everything with no distractions. I watched hundreds of YouTube videos and spent way too much time in forums trying to figure things out. At one point I had Apple Computers USA office on the phone and they took remote control of my computer to fix an issue with Logic (the app I use to record). I just told myself no excuses this time no matter what. Like Vanilla Ice says ‘If there’s a problem, yo I’ll solve it”.
“I’ve been told it’s not just the 3 albums in different styles, but that they sound genuine”
What has been the feedback from the industry on attempting this massive project?
Generally at first people are intrigued because of the scope of the idea. It’s a behemoth so it grabs their attention. The feedback I’ve received from people who’ve listened to it has been really encouraging. I’ve been told it’s not just the 3 albums in different styles, but that they sound genuine. Regardless of what else happens that is the best compliment I could get so I am thrilled.
Do you have a favourite track off each album or ones that stand out for you?
Roadside Magnolia - Who’s Sorry Now is a song my dad would sing in his shows. I have always loved the song and it really came up nicely on this. Cameron Fallaw contributes an absolutely fabulous piano solo.
Torana Americana - Showdown has always been one of my favourite originals regardless of genre. I had always heard it in my head with a pedal steel part and Andy Ellis nailed it! Something about the voicings he chose really takes it to another level.
Birdlife - I think YASWOM is probably my favourite. It stands for ‘You ain’t sh*t without me”. The sound of it is inspired by the band “WAR”. I love that band but would never intentionally try to write a song with that vibe - it just came out that way and I am so happy it did.
“The launch party is on July 28th at the Lomond Hotel in Brunswick from 5-8pm. We’ll perform all 3 records across 3 sets”
Will you be touring for the albums? Will each album have separate shows or will you make the night a combination of all three projects?
The launch party is on July 28th at the Lomond Hotel in Brunswick from 5-8pm. We’ll perform all 3 records across 3 sets. After that if I am playing a pub gig, the same band will play songs from all 3 records. If I am playing a festival I will likely separate them out into different sets. I intend to apply to genre-specific festivals with different records.
Have you learnt anything about yourself during this creative process?
I like producing. I wouldn’t have thought that, but it makes sense now. When I write music I often hear the whole band in my head, so why not take the reins?
“The old joke is “What do you call a musician without a partner?...Homeless.” There is truth in that for sure”
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My wife of 25 years. The old joke is “What do you call a musician without a partner?... Homeless.” There is truth in that for sure. She has been beside me through a lot and always supported me. She is an angel and I wouldn’t be making music without her help. Also, Jason Torrens who I have worked with for years and did the mixing and mastering on Birdlife and Torana Americana. He’s a marvellous guy with a heart of gold.
What's next for Presley Davis Jr? Can we expect a Splenda quinella?
I like that! What a great title. As I mentioned before though, Spotify made this project problematic by making the way you need to release singles so limited. I have also confused the living hell out of their algorithm. It thinks my soul tracks are bluegrass tracks. I kid you not. Check out the “Presley Davis Jr Radio” they put together on my artist page. I broke Spotify.
I will end up releasing a lot of singles I think. At least that’s how I am feeling at the moment for the next year or two. Then I will load up “collections” to Spotify. I want to do a beats-based record, a rock record, a ska record…the list goes on. I’ll work on those ideas, and maybe sell the albums at my shows and on my Bandcamp page. Hopefully, the streaming landscape changes, if it doesn’t I guess I’ll just throw a single on Spotify every 28 days until well after my death.
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2024