Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Davis.
Hi Jacob, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent most of my time growing up in Columbus, GA about an hour and a half south of Atlanta. I have always had a musical desire as far as I can remember. I picked up guitar when I was young thanks to my dad lending me his gear. When I was a teenager, I joined a couple of bands and played several different instruments and eventually delved into the world of production partly in thanks to crunk music. I had quite a big obsession with crunk music growing up and how it was produced which eventually gave in to learning production.
When I first heard Daft Punk and Washed out, I realized I had affinity towards repetition and sampled music. That has carried on with me for most of my life (Skrillex also was a big influence). I started producing dance music under the moniker Starcandy around 2010 and it was mainly just goofing off in FL studio. I would join a couple of bands as well at this time and get into chillwave production. I did not do much musically after leaving the last band I was in and focused more on my career and relationships during the mid-2010s.
Around the end of 2017, I started a new project called CASUAL DEATH and it was mainly vaporware tracks at the time. I ended up going towards Dubstep production and producing dubstep like I had wanted to almost a decade ago. I would make a couple of tracks in the genres of Wave, Dubstep and DNB and started playing some local dj shows but Columbus did not really have much of a nightlife scene outside of top 40 bars and etc. so I ended up moving to Atlanta in 2019 with my roommate so I could find more music people and events.
Since moving to Atlanta, I have been grinding as much as possible and making music trying to develop the sounds I always wanted to make. My sound in recent times has mostly been heavier dubstep/riddim and DNB tracks with a slight ethereal touch. Presently I am now helping host shows weekly at Syndicate Presents. I currently work full time as a DJ/musician/event production manager.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Financially speaking, the music industry is completely unforgiving. I have definitely struggled badly in some time periods. Relationships are hard to maintain and you start to question whether or not what you’re doing makes any sense or is worthwhile. It is mind-breaking until you get to the point that you know what you are doing and you surround yourself with people that help you do better.
I spent a lot of time around people that had no interest in seeing me advance my music career and did not understand it. This is a mistake and will make you question your self-worth. I no longer allow those people around me. All of my friends and partners at this time are people who genuinely care about the music, leveling up and living life to its fullest potential. Setting boundaries and pushing back is not something you should ever feel ashamed of if it’s in the way of your personal development.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently producing bass music and DJing under the name CASUAL DEATH and am the stage production manager for Syndicate Presents which is an all-night EDM event.
My specialties include:
Audio engineering (studio/live)
EDM and beat production
Ableton lessons
DJing
Song mastering/mixing
Graphic Design
Stage AV tech/operator
DJ gear repairs
Event coordination
Artist relations
Marketing
Branding
and the list goes on. If it’s music related I am always adding to my skillset.
I am currently known for my latest release CHRISTIAN RIDDIM VOL I which is a themed EP with gothic/choir elements mixed with riddim style dubstep. I also have a small obsession with furbies and biblically accurate angels so my artist logo reflects that as well as my album art. I wear the same Adidas tracksuit every day which is how most people recognize me outside of my hair. I do still get confused for space wizard fairly often though, haha.
I would say what sets me apart would be my ability to keep going despite all of the obstacles and trauma I have faced in my life. I have a unique musical background and influence that I take and combine into a bass music experience. When I perform a DJ set, I primarily try to play self-produced tracks and unique tracks that are exclusive to me to provide that one of a kind experience that people expect from a music producer.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you are serious about anything in life, you must also take your self-growth seriously. You will not get to where you want by yourself. You will need the help of others and you will need to learn how to navigate that help. The biggest piece of advise I can give you is constantly push yourself to level up in all aspects of life not just towards your one goal. The sooner you have your priorities in order the sooner you don’t have to worry about the background fuzz and can focus towards your goals. Surround yourself with people interested in the same thing. Move away from your hometown if it doesn’t offer you what you need in life. Learn what you are willing to sacrifice to get to the place you want to be. You will have to make those sacrifices. A lot of people will not understand but those that do and support you unconditionally are people you want to keep in your life and obviously, you should be returning that energy. You should always bring up the people that bring you up and that’s just the facts.
Contact Info:
- Email: CASUALDEATHOFFICIAL@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.CSLDTH.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/csl_dth
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/casualdeath
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/casualdeath
Image Credits
Photos by: Common Vice (Human Error collective), Zack Wilson, Jason Wilmot, Malakai Albonetti (SKRKRO). Art by: Jayson Neff @Neffdraws
