By Sonia Schnee | Posted Sunday, December 8, 2019

If you don’t know who David Ross Lawn is… you should. He composes and performs gorgeous melodies on the piano (including for Idle Wave, who we interviewed here) and is also an accomplished vocalist, photographer, model, and more. His work has been featured internationally, and his collaborations with other artists have often crossed genres.

On January 18th, you can see David perform live as part of Asbury Underground Light of Day Music Crawl. When he’s not out performing, modeling, photographing, and the like, David teaches music theory, composition and performance in Asbury Park.

Check out our interview with David Ross Lawn, below, to learn more about the inspiration behind his work.

You compose and perform solo music for the piano. You also write for musical theatre, opera, and choral, and you’re a photographer and a model. Is there anything we missed?

That is all correct, yes!

I am an emerging composer, performer and visual artist with a penchant for interpreting essences of the human condition. My compositional output and performance aesthetic cultivates my training in classical ideals with an intrinsic contemporary twist that has always felt authentic to me.

My photography and modeling follow suit with my music, in the sense of aiming to depict notions of the human condition and interaction. I love collaborating with other artists on an intimate one-to-one moment in time, with the camera lens as my vehicle of archiving and interpreting the transactional energy.

I also model actively for life and figure drawing modeling sessions in the surrounding areas, posing nude or clothed for people of all ages and abilities. I find a lot of beauty and enjoyment when I get to share contemplative moments on a day to day basis in my multitude of art forms.

<a href="http://kningdisk.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-sun">Songs of the Sun by David Ross Lawn</a>

Regarding your solo piano work, how would you describe your style/approach/aesthetic to both composing and performing?

My training in piano has been fairly sizable with two degrees, distinctions and childhood awards in my performance of the instrument, however, my approach to my own solo piano creations does not always display such vivaciousness or tenacity. I have always felt a deep resonance towards archiving contemplative moments of interaction in my piano compositions. Thus, my output not always ‘flashy’ but rather dim-lit, contemplative and intimate.

I pride myself in the timbral quality of my melodies and voicing, and I seek to always create works that can take a listener somewhere nostalgic, or somewhere they have never been before. That, to me, is musical magic: and it is what I aim to give an audience in any facet of performance or composition.

Who or what inspires you (personally and professionally)?

I am inspired by music that takes me to a place deep within myself. I find sanctuary in the dreamy impressionism of Claude Debussy’s output as well as other composers that harken to impressionism in their work: Lili Boulanger, Isaac Albeniz, Yann Tiersen. If you are reading this and interested in music that feels like a dream sequence, those composers will help take you there.

When it comes to music by living creators, I feel a strong resonance to songwriters that speak of the human condition in ways that compel the listener: Keaton Henson, Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers would be my top three artists on repeat lately. I’m also a massive fan of art song (Vaughan Wiliams, John Dowland, Tom Cipullo) French melodie (Duparc, Faure, Gounod) and of course opera and musical theatre (Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Puccini).

<a href="http://kningdisk.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-sun">Songs of the Sun by David Ross Lawn</a>

**Your EP, Songs of the Sun (2018), is gorgeous from beginning to end. Which song on the EP did you compose first? What inspired it?**

I’m so excited to hear you felt a resonance with my debut release! It’s always lovely to hear a listener’s take on my work. This collection was all composed in a series of one takes at The Strand Theatre in Lakewood on a beautiful Steinway piano that I immediately felt a deep connection with.

I composed the track ‘Flying, Floating, Falling’ at a fairly young period of my life, and revisited the sketches for this first release. It is the most streamed track, and I feel it has a lot of connection to my journey. The title of the piece is a nod towards the deeper significance of where my heart was when I wrote it: I was discovering, or rather uncovering, nihilism for the first time in my life. I was actually watching a scene from the movie Toy Story with my mother: Woody and Buzz sharing a dialogue as they fell from the sky together: “Are we falling?” “No, we’re just flying with style”. I felt, for some reason, a nihilist parallel between this scene and my outlook on life and death. Are we all just falling, flying with style? I recall asking my mother this at a young age, and the fact that she never really had an answer, and the notion that none of us really do: is what the track explores— the tragic beauty of the human condition.

<a href="http://kningdisk.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-sun">Songs of the Sun by David Ross Lawn</a>

You’re signed with an indie record label based out of Sweden called Kning Disk. How did you find each other?

Correct! I discovered the label upon realizing a significant number of my favorite ethereal and neoclassical composers were signed to them with initial releases. I sent the team a demo of the already-released debut EP, and they excitedly offered to distribute it under their company, and work hard on getting it into some media placements (which has been going very nicely).

After one more release with Kning Disk, I intend to spread my wings even further out with more record label distribution agreements with interested teams. I love that more corners of the world are hearing my piano output, and the more people I have on my team that believe in my sound: the better.

My goal when it comes to my music is to have it in the background of some high end media: perhaps short film or advertisement: fashion, blog videos, etc. I’ve been fortunate enough to already have ticked off quite a few of these boxes and I remain excited for what future releases will hold for me and my journey.

<a href="http://kningdisk.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-sun">Songs of the Sun by David Ross Lawn</a>

You have a passion for opera. At what age did you begin to appreciate opera? What has that journey been like?

I found deep appreciation for art song and opera while pursuing my masters degree at Westminster Choir College in Princeton. Although the degree was primarily in theory and composition, I was sitting in on as many vocal courses as I possibly could: from learning about German lieder, French melodie, audition prep and pedagogy, to observing student recitals with stunning explorative repertoire many nights of the week.

I spent a lot of time off in the library absorbing as much knowledge as I could on composers and their stories. It was like my undergraduate degree in Scotland, but focussed far more on what I truly wanted to be studying. Being surrounded by such vocal talent allowed me to explore my own parameters and inspirations. I’m so thankful to have went to such a magical school that prides itself in classical vocal and musical training. It is a big part of the fibre that makes my composition and performance the way it is to this day.

You’re also an active photographer. How would you describe your style?

I enjoy photographing portraiture of fellow artists far and wide, whether in or out of performance. I would describe my style as fairly individualistic and imaginative, as I form my images based more on my personal vision than necessarily from the realism of a scene being displayed.

I let my feelings take hold of a color palettes and enjoy creating my own dream world in the frame. I take visual inspiration from lomography and slide films, though I shoot using a digital camera. I’m very fortunate to get regularly hired by friends and friends of friends to interpret a show, or simply take photographs for social media posting. The interaction and time I get to spend with people making visual moments is always incredibly enjoyable.

What have been some career highlights for you so far?

As a composer: My highlights with my output definitely would be having my piano music in Scottish Television, and high fashion media campaigns. The entire collection is also featured in a high-profile branding company video (1924US) and will continue to be in more, as well as Air New Zealand relaxation in-flight music.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have won a number of call for scores where I enter music anonymously into competitions and get picked to create for a professional ensemble: my most recent commission was writing a full work for performance by Verdigris Ensemble: a professional vocal group in Dallas TX. My work had coverage from many media teams including NBC, Soluna Festival, Art&Seek and Texas Theatre. I’ve been selected to compose for other various companies over the last year: including Twin Cities Opera on Tap, Vortex Winds Marching Band, Diamonds from the Dust ensemble and Kansas City VITAS Choir.

As a performer and artist: I’ve had the pleasure of performing in places such as Carnegie Hall, Kimmel Center and other timeless locations with various groups during my time at Westminster Choir College. I’ve been fortunate to be interviewed a number of times by magazines and physical print editions asking me about my craft as a musician and visual artist: including Lomography magazine, Pursuit of Portraits, Peculiars Magazine and Hylas Magazine. I’m always flattered when I am asked to talk about my art to a large number of people reading or listening.

You’ve done many, many collaborations, across genres even. Are there any particular collaborations that you look back on and view as life-changing or that hold a special place in your heart?

My most recent commission with the Verdigris Ensemble in Dallas, TX was certainly special and will always remain vivid in my memories. I was given the incredible opportunity to set thousands of responses from the general Dallas pubic on their views on the city they live in: the form of “Dallas is _____”. I sifted through thousands of poetic responses: some not so poetic; and created an hour long concert piece out of what was supplied. It was perhaps one of the more challenging works due to the varied responses and the volume of information I had to play with.

The work contained every genre that I could muster in my style: from medieval plainchant through to art song, operatic style soloist moments, all the way through to comedic upbeat musical theatre. I composed and performed piano interludes throughout and the entire work barely stopped for breath. I was flown out to perform with the ensemble, and was overjoyed to receive such high compliments and three sold out performances of the work. Having coverage from such high profiled teams such as NBC DFW and having it part of the Soluna Festival coverage felt wonderful. The entire experience was a massive motivator for me to continue to strive for large-scale works and to keep pushing myself to think outside of the box with opportunities.

One of my favorite quotes is by author Todd Henry: “You have a unique contribution to make to the world [...] there is something you bring to your work that no one else could.” How would you describe your unique contribution to the world? What do you hope people will walk away with after experiencing your work, in its many forms?

That’s an incredibly moving quote, and I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve always felt an authentic call to music and visual arts, and I think my contribution is simply a culmination of the art forms I present. I often hear that my way of doing things is innately ‘different’ to what others do, and I find that to be a compliment. I hope that people can see, hear, and ultimately feel my personal and imaginative ways that I do my art: from the visual art and modeling all the way through to the way I perform and compose.

I always say “if you like it, wear it” and I think this goes far beyond fabric and the tangible— if you enjoy a craft and you want to leave a mark with it: try it, and watch it unfold. Remaining true and authentic as an artist is, in my opinion, the most beautiful impact you can leave with the world.

What does success look and feel like to you?

Success is not necessarily in the wealth of monetary gain for me at all: but rather in the moments of interaction surrounding my art— I love receiving an email, direct message, or face to face communication that my art has left an impact on somebody’s life. I’ve been told that my piano music has soothed a baby crying: repaired an argument; helped with anxiety and aided many yoga sessions. I feel motivated every time I hear that my music has helped the world. To me, that is success for me as an artist: leaving a positive and beautiful impact, and making moments.

Is music something that runs in your family? Tell us more about your background.

Interestingly enough, I have one composer deep within my family tree / ancestry, but my parents and siblings are not musically inclined. I was certainly the stereotypical ‘middle child’ in the sense of being the one that always stood out as different - even to this day, I feel like my wavelength is something that isn’t always shared with the masses.

I grew up with a wallflower-type personality: very much introverted and aware, keeping myself to myself. In high school I found solstice in the other people that considered themselves outcasts, and the musical theatre kids. I worked hard in school and focussed a lot on my music: often running straight home to the piano to practice.

I never realized that music was my path until it gradually came to light— I was winning competitions like the ‘young musician of the year’ in my region: taking on lead roles in the theatre shows, and being consistently encouraged by my teachers. The journey to becoming a musician has always been enigmatic to me: as I don’t think there was a specific moment in time that I looked in the mirror and said ‘yes’ to all of this, but I’d like to believe that music has always been inside of me: I’m now just a lot more intuitive to the sounds of my heart, and far more confident at letting others into the vulnerability.

Do you have any public performances or exhibits coming up? Where can people experience your work, live and in person? What’s next on the horizon for you?

Performance-wise: I’ll be performing locally on the 18th of January for the Light of Day showcases: a series of vocal work from opera to musical theatre.

Visual-art-wise: There is currently an exhibit of Nick Kiefer’s portraiture of me on display at Motion City Media on Cookman Avenue. I believe it will be there for the next number of weeks.

Horizon-wise: Look out for updates on my second piano EP release early 2020!