Drew Davis, an Ohio native and junior at UGA, has been writing her own music since the age of 6. “My first instrument was the harmonica,” she says. “The first song I ever wrote was called ‘Drew’s Blues.’ I’m pretty sure the lyrics were something along the lines of, ‘I am on the highway and I don’t know where to go.’ Classic childhood embarrassment, but it was a real hit at all the elementary school assemblies.” But her early days as an elementary school entertainer led Drew to continue songwriting, perform for ever-growing audiences and make it onto iTunes with her debut album, Traffic (buy it–it’s great!).
Moving on from the harmonica, Drew picked up piano but kept a bit of the blues-y vibe from her initial foray into writing music, along with a mix of funk and soul inspirations. Artists who influence her work include Ryan Adams, Damien Rice, Patty Griffin and Van Morrison. “Anyone who is a genius with words. My favorite artists are those that I can take the music away from the songs they write and still appreciate what they have to say.” Having listened to Drew’s album over and over and memorized the lyrics to more than a few of the songs, I can vouch for her claim to intricate lyricism. Every song she writes tells a story, and though I haven’t tried taking away the music and focusing solely on the lyrics, I’m sure Drew’s music fits into the category of songs that maintain meaning when stripped of instrumentals.
Though Athens has long been proclaimed a music mecca and lays claim to great bands like REM and Widespread Panic, Drew says she has not found her niche in the college town music scene. “Athens is definitely a great town for a certain kind of musician. If you feel less and less pressure while you’re playing as the audience gets more and more drunk, Athens is the place for you.” Considering that Athens IS a college town and most of the music venues are bars, it is inevitable that audiences often slip easily away from the music experience and into drunken excitement. Drew prefers a more attentive audience at her shows, which not many Athens venues can promise. “My favorite show I’ve ever played was a 4th of July show in an old movie theatre called the Drexel. Everyone was so engaged…plus everyone had a seat, which is something I wish more concert venues incorporated into their layout. I think shows can be a lot more intimate when the audience has a place to sit and really enjoy themselves.”
Despite the rowdy crowds, Drew has seen good turnout at the shows she has landed in Athens. Her latest gig is this week–Wednesday, March 8, at the Melting Point. She will be playing with her brother, Noah, who often accompanies her with his guitar. Drew’s shows generally include mainly original music, intertwined with a few covers to please the masses; as she says, a mellow crowd is best for her soulful renditions. If you’re looking for a calm Wednesday night enjoying some good music, stop by Melting Point tomorrow night and check out our Campus Celeb for yourself!
More fun stuff about Drew:
Top 5 favorite songs of all time:
1. Al Green–Love and Happiness
2. Ryan Adams–Come Pick Me Up
3. Tom Waits–Please Call Me, Baby
4. Hall and Oates–Rich Girl
5. Three way tie for fifth between Sam Cooke–Mean Old World, Pete Yorn–Strange Condition and the Staple Singers–I’ll Take You There
Favorite band from Athens:
Modern Skirts–sexy men with sexy music
Favorite venue to see musicians in Athens:
Little Kings
Best concert ever:
Chromeo and Daryl Hall at Bonnaroo–their dynamic together was so awesome. Also, I saw Patty Griffin play in Columbus, OH and she blew my mind. You could literally hear a pin drop because the audience was so engaged and mesmerized by her.