INTRODUCING...
Anthony David
By REESE HARLAN
Published: June 18, 2008
Soulbird Music/Universal Republic
The cozy ambiance of Cafe Circa in downtown Atlanta welcomed a few midday patrons. Settled in front of a gourmet salad with all the trimmings, Anthony David blends in, seemingly oblivious to his music playing in the background.
The first artist signed to India Arie's new Songbird Music label, the Savannah native makes passionate music filled with emotional insight, yet he rebuffs labels like "neo-soul" and "underground." He claims that the former is a marketing label created to typify everything outside mainstream R&B, and the latter assumes that he's comfortable in relative obscurity, both of which are not necessarily the case.
"It's hard to make people think outside the box, so I invite people to get in my box with me," he says defiantly.
Between bites, he casually fields questions with the comfort of a lifelong friend, and it becomes clear that he is more concerned with his craft than stardom. "I do what I do for the love of people and music, but I try to be relatable so it speaks about things real people can identify with," he explains, shifting his slight yet manly frame.
With a unique voice and range of subject matter to match, the singer and guitarist carries the range of soul music's colorful palette. From the fix-me-a-plate summer barbeque jams to the deep smoky odes with heavy baselines and live instruments, his third and latest CD Acey Ducey will satisfy both kufi wearers and hustlers. The challenges of being a black man are tackled head-on with songs like "Cheating Man," and "Words," the first single and duet with longtime buddy India, mirrors the intimacy of their valuable friendship.
While his own work centers on Anthony as a complete artist and songwriter, the rising star is more than aware of the recent cultural shift from the album era to the current ringtone-equals-music phenomenon. A self-proclaimed iPod shuffler, he says, "It's getting harder to buy one good album these days. Now, I just listen for new artists with great music and put them together. I don't wait for radio to dictate what's hot for me."
Such a gentle and unassuming style is unusual in a business overwhelmed with bravado and swagger. One would never guess that this humble guy wrote "Part of My Life" from India's 2002 Grammy nominated debut, Acoustic Soul. He also has a faithful MySpace following that could fill a concert hall, has toured with both India and Kem as an opening act, and previously released two well-received albums independently, 2004's Three Chords & The Truth and 2006's Red Clay Chronicles.
Despite these accomplishments, the singer laughs at the concept of superstardom changing him and says he's had too many humbling experiences to become, in his words, "celebrified." "I was supposed to be performing background for India at the Grammys and I told all my friends I was going to be there," he recounts with amusement. "But when I got to the pre-party, I couldn't get in and my cell phone was cut off. So, I couldn't call for confirmation. I stood outside using one phone as a phonebook and my friend's phone to make calls. Nobody answered because they didn't know the number!"
As he stood outside watching the crowd of
movers and shakers, he tried to understand how someone scheduled to perform at music's biggest event was still struggling to pay a phone bill or get accepted into a club. On the long walk back to the hotel, the singer realized that contrary to the belief of many, he still hadn't quite made it.
Now, with his new album poised to quench the thirst of a cult-like Atlanta following and garner the respect of those who have never heard of him, Anthony has no reservations about how he will be received when it's his turn to show and prove. "I am ready. My time touring, singing and writing have prepared me for this amazing journey. It has all contributed to the man I am today and the future that is being created for me," he says optimistically. "It's not like back up because I'm not supporting someone else's story. This time I get to tell my own." And the world may finally be prepared to listen.
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