Melanie A. Davis On the Making Of ‘Noctalgia’
Credit: Photo by Robyn Pizzo
What is the creative process like?
The creative process varies from song to song, and this record was special because there are songs that I wrote as early as a few months before we recorded the album and as far back as ten years. I typically tend to focus on lyrics first, then the music and melody come later. Sometimes they happen to show up at the same time. I try to accept the muse however she comes, whenever she comes.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for 'Noctalgia?'
We recorded ‘Noctalgia’ one week after getting off a three-week tour that stretched from my hometown of Murray, KY, to Los Angeles and back. We holed up in a local studio for 2.5 days and cut the instrumentals for 15 tracks -- all of ‘Noctalgia’ and then a handful of extras. Getting to go straight into the studio from the road was a unique experience because we were about as in-sync as we'd ever be, which was really great. I think that synchronization shows on the record, too.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on 'Noctalgia' and what makes them special to you?
I'm partial to “Tinseltown.” It's one of those songs that fell out in two parts, the first at home and the second while I was on vacation in the mountains with my husband. Navigating generational trauma can be a difficult process, and Tinseltown really allowed me to open those wounds and find ways to heal not only younger versions of myself but also the relatives who came before me.
What's your favorite part about performing live? How do you connect with your audience during a performance?
I've always been a performer. I used to sing for my family when I was a little kid, too. I did theatre and opera in school. I enjoy making others feel something -- whether that's something they didn't know they could feel or something that made their pre-held feelings validated and reaffirmed.
How do you seek opportunities for personal and artistic growth in your musical journey?
It's a grind, so I grind. I work full time in addition to pursuing my musical career, so a lot of late nights, busy weekends, etc etc. I try to seize inspiration when it strikes and give myself grace when it doesn't. Art's a long-term game, and I don't think I'll ever stop writing or singing, professionally successful or not. So, it's just a matter of nurturing that love that I've had for so many years and keeping it a priority when I can.