David Pollack
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
The first time I met David Pollack, he was helping me out of a jam. I was putting on the very first Those Who Dig showcase last November. I had a few commitments but I was short of what I wanted and running out of time. Annie from Oh! My Blackbird suggested her buddy David could join and without even listening to him, I said "Sure." I'm glad I did. Not only did he start the night off in style with a great set and a captivating stage presence, but he's a good guy that has been enjoyable to get to know.
As I learned in our interview, he's only been performing solo since last fall, but he's really hit the ground running and is wasting no time developing as an artist. Just a few weeks ago, he released the first in a series of three singles/EPs. This "Blue" edition features "What Do I Do?" that you can hear in the podcast, plus its b-side "Balloon," a reworking of an older song in his back catalog called "Why Not Now?" and a live version of "What Do I Do?" The future releases will follow a similar pattern, have their own color, and lead us to a full length. He is playing around NYC and the region quite frequently - be sure to see him tomorrow night at Pipin's Pub - and I'm confident he's going to be active in the music scene for many years to come.
Like I said, he's a great performer, very comfortable on stage, with a strong voice, and friendly demeanor. His music is typically tight and upbeat and catchy, "What Do I Do?" is a perfect example. Yet, don't think it's too light; the story captures the tough concept of divergent viewpoints on a relationship and how that difference can have a big negative impact. Then, a song like "Balloon" reveals he can handle something with a more of a slow build and dynamism quite well. I think after hearing a lot of his other songs, this one felt more intense to me. It still is driven by an excellent vocal performance, one which really cuts loose as the song gathers steam. I think the reggae-inflected "Why Not Now?" is a real jam. It has a spectacular groove - something David finds very important - and again, it has a cool message. It's good to be reminded that things we might want are worth pursuing and that we don't have unlimited time to do so.
You can check out David's website once again here. Like him on Facebook here and follow on Twitter here. He also has a cool YouTube channel with a lot of live videos and fun covers. Oh, and definitely buy the new release on Bandcamp and look out for the rest of them. And why not check out a live version of "What Do I Do?" now too
David and I met at Waverly Restaurant in the West Village. We had a nice discussion about his musical background, which includes bands, busking, and a kick ass summer camp, his future plans, the differences between being a producer and being a performer, and more. - ThoseWhoDig.net
David Pollack is one of the most recent musicians to come down the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen red carpet. Having had the general pleasure of experiencing these tracks for the first time live, it’s curious to find them so pristinely recorded and living on BandCamp. What Do I Do? is full of wholesome songwriting and honest poetics that lead the instrumentation, bringing Pollack's creative side to life. - Dingus on Music
A little bit retro, a little bit soulful, a little bit punk with a whole lotta talent – that seems to be the perfect description of native New Yorker David Pollack. He picked up guitar at twelve and has never looked back, creating music and lyrics reflective of his varied influences, both as a member of a band and as a solo singer-songwriter.
David is a familiar face in the New York City music scene, between busking and playing a never-ending series of shows at local bars and clubs. He was a hit at this year’s SXSW and just finished up his first west coast tour dates.
He released his most recent album this past January, the full-length Put It Into Words, and has spent most of the summer touring in support of the album. He recently filmed his second video for the song Hot Love.
Expect more show dates in the near future, and catch this guy on stage when you can. David has a love of performance that will make his live show shine. - Fr.U.N.T Music The Anti Mainstream
NYC-bred artist David Pollack releases new soulful single “Hot Love” off his debut album Put Into Words, released earlier this year.
Check out the bonus behind-the-scenes video footage. The dynamic track stems from the heat of a break in a relationship that never had its chance, resulting in this emotionally soulful, jazzy tune becoming almost manic at times. - Static
New York based indie-pop artist David Pollack releases his first single, “Why Not Now?”, off his debut solo album, Put It Into Words, released earlier this year. “Why Not Now?” is a reggae beat driven proclamation of desire that will surely resonate for many lustful listeners this summer.
Writing from the perspective of the love-hungry collegiate, David Pollack quaintly exposes the inner tortures of longing and affection in his evocative lyrics. The reggae laid-back rhythm is smartly juxtaposed against a sense of urgency that grows over the song’s duration. Pollack’s voice parallels his lyrics, increasing in angst-torn tension as Pollack spills his yearning heart out in song.
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Great songwriting and performances have lit up the skyline of New York City singer songwriter David Pollack’s life and career. From an early age, he was turned on to the music of Paul Simon, James Taylor, and The Beatles. Places like the Meadowlands were his playground, where his father took him to see greats like Bruce Springsteen perform. By the time Pollack reached the age of 12, he picked up his first guitar.
Pollack went solo after his band Bridges disbanded in 2012. He returned to the studio in September, working with Producer and Engineer Oliver Ignatius at Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen and released two singles (What Do I Do?, Hot Love). In addition to releasing tracks from the Mama Coco’s sessions, Pollack worked with producers Gian Stone at Stone Studios, Rick Torres at Buskerville Studios in Queens and Gordon Grody (Lady GaGa, Alicia Keys) to create his debut full length Put It Into Words. The record was mixed and mastered by Grammy-winner Jon D’Uva (Louis CK, Breaking Benjamin, Paramore) and released in January of 2014. Pollack is currently touring to support the record. - Digital Warble
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
. . .a captivating stage presence. - Steve Fabian, Those Who Dig
Great songwriting and performances have lit up the skyline of New York City singer songwriter David Pollacks life and career.
From an early age, he was turned on to the music of Paul Simon, James
Taylor, and The Beatles. Places like the Meadowlands were his
playground, where his father took him to see greats like Bruce
Springsteen perform. By the time Pollack reached the age of 12, he
picked up his first guitar. By then, he
was exploring the sounds of post punk and indie rock from artists such
as Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, and Modest Mouse.
He spent his
summers in such institutions as Bucks Rock Creative Arts Camp and the
Berklee School of Music summer program, as well as working in
internships with Rough Magic Studios and music promotions firm Creative
Entertainment Group.
In high school, Pollack formed a band
called Play that took the local scene by storm. At 16, he recorded his
first EP after winning a free recording session from a JCC Battle of the
Bands. Play went on to perform at well-known venues like The Knitting
Factory, CBGBs, and Sullivan Hall.
After high school, Pollack
enrolled at the University of Vermont, where he was a member of the Jazz
Vocal Ensemble and the UVM Top Cats Acapella group. A year later, he
decided to move back to New York City, where he would record an EP of
lo-fi tracks entitled Out the Other Side. He spent several months
touring in support of the album until he transferred to Fordham
University. While studying media and communications, Pollack began
working at Public Radio station WFUV alongside Dennis Elsas and Rita
Houston.
During his time at Fordham in 2010, Pollack formed a
band called Bridges with drummer Steele Kratt and bassist Sasha
Korolkoff. Bridges would later be joined by new members Julia Barrett
Mitchell, Nick Jenkins, and guitarist Daisy Spencer (who would later go
on to play in the band The Skins.) While together, Bridges released a
self-titled EP followed by another titled Groundwork, both in 2011, and
played shows for audiences throughout greater New York.
David
Pollack went solo after Bridges disbanded in 2012. He went back into the
studio in September, working with Producer and Engineer Oliver Ignatius
at Mama Cocos Funky Kitchen. and released two singles (What Do I Do?,
Hot Love). In addition to releasing tracks from the Mama Cocos
sessions, Pollack worked with producers Gian Stone at Stone Studios,
Rick Torres at Buskerville Studios in Queens and Gordon Grady (Lady
GaGa, Alicia Keys) to create his debut full length "Put It Into Words."
The record was mixed and mastered by Grammy-winner Jon D'Uva (Louis CK,
Breaking Benjamin, Paramore) and released in January of 2014. Pollack is
currently touring to support the record.
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