We had the good fortune of connecting with Donovan Duvall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donovan, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Before pursuing music full time and working in the service industry, the balance was crystal clear. As soon as I clocked out, man, did I not think about that job. While working in the service industry, I found my self aching to get back to playing music and I had such a voracious appetite to create. After a while I set the goal for music to be the main way I support myself. What was my emotional outlet, became the way I pay the bills. At first it was incredible! I could play,
teach, create, explore and gig all day. But after teaching for 6 to 8 hours, I quickly found myself feeling burdened by the thing that had been my liberator. It wasn’t until the beginning of the pandemic that I realized how black and white my days had become. Outside of music, I really didn’t do anything at all. Sure I’d watch tv and whatever, but there wasn’t anything that held my attention like music did. So I consciously decided to find other creative outlets and I’ve found that’s helped me feel excited about music again. Not only that, but it’s helped me feel excited about living again. To other creatives, I implore you to find an identity outside of just being a creative! It’s very easy to get placed in a box, and to feel that you must be creating constantly to be validated.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up playing rock music on the drums at 9 and then started writing house/electronic music around 16. I shortly got into into jazz and hip hop in college. At this point the music I make is some amalgamation of all of those genres. I think the hardest part of the transition from music being a hobby to music becoming a profession is the pressure to make the “right” music. I feel there’s a subtle undertone to make music that’s accessible & marketable. It came to a point where I found myself asking if I’m making music for myself or others. When I would make music for others, I would find it wouldn’t perform well and it felt disingenuous. So I kind of had a moment of “screw it,” and really started making what made me the happiest. Since then I’ve had music be on segments CBS and had my music be a part of national ad campaigns. Seeing my music played during the super bowl really affirmed that moment of “screw it”!

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to make what makes you the happiest and people will resonate with it. Only after that will success follow.

Music is a tool to help people, and only by making what makes you happy will your music be able to help others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I feel like I’ve worked my whole life just for this question. Ok so, in DC places you got to go to are: The Aquatic Gardens to see the lotus flowers, the National Arboretum for the bonsai museum, and the Renwick gallery. The Renwick is an amazing sculpture gallery near the mall. As far as eating, Little Serow, Bad Saint, or Anju would be great places to eat if you’re okay with spending a little money.

But Oohh’s and Aahh’s on U st is good if you’re looking for something quicker. If you’ve got a car and are more nature inclined, I’d say go to Great Falls (the VA side) and afterwards drive down the GW parkway with the windows down. There are so many small places to pull off to the side and watch the river go by.

Honestly when I’m not working that’s 1000% where you’ll find me. On the way to Mount Vernon there’s a place called River Farm. There you can find some bald eagles and wild turkeys!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are simply too many people that’ve helped me into where I am at! Most of them have helped me in ways that they’re unaware of honestly. So many friends who’ve asked about how the music is going or coming to a show have done wonders for me. There are some special people in my life I have to name specifically. Of course I got to shout out my mom and pops! Music is not a steady career path by any means, and I’ve wanted to quit before, but every time my parents insist I stick with it. They’re my biggest fans, and I live for when I show them new songs and see their faces light up. Secondly I have to shout out Jordan Clark and Gray Hall (Shout out 2012 Bid Adieu~). My boys from college have really put up with some of the worst songs ever made and looked me in the eyes and said “Sounds good, bro!” They’ve taught me a lot about the industry on both sides of the process, from production/creation/songwriting to the release process and the headaches that come with that. I also got to shout out my guy Bartees Strange. He took me on my first, albeit short, tour (Thanks Covid) and that really did wonders for really feeling like that this dream is accessible.

Not easy or quickly achieved, but accessible! He introduced me to a lot of wonderful people that have helped me make my upcoming project possible. Shouts out to Brian DiMeglio, Nik Hughes, Chessy Quiqley, Dillon Treacy, Daniel Kleederman, and Graham Richman!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dono__dono__/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/dono__dono__

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.