Meet Davis Mallory: Recording Artist, Songwriter, DJ

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

Hi Davis, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After graduating college at Stetson University in Florida as a Business Major I worked Sales & Marketing roles with a career highlight as the Marketing Coordinator for Universal Music Group’s Astralwerks Records in New York (DJ label home to David Guetta & Swedish House Madia) where I simultaneously trained to DJ at Dubspot School of Music in Manhattan. After 2 years in this role I moved to Nashville to pursue the career as a recording artist + singer-songwriter that I had longed to experience. I founded my own business – Davis Does Songs, LLC – when I moved to Nashville and began DJing weddings, corporate events, school dances + night clubs as a freelance DJ while I spent my Monday-Friday work hours in songwriting sessions with the countless talented songwriters in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee. I have now been self-employed since 2015 generating income from DJing events, selling songs I have written to Music Producer/ DJs who use my voice as a featured vocalist, and acting jobs in Music Videos. I’ve learned the ropes of the Music Industry often acting as my own Publisher, Label, Manager, Agent, and Publicist which has taught me to make smarter financial decisions.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began my career as a songwriter at 30 years old – which to some may seem to old – even for myself I felt like I had been missing out not starting earlier – but I did not have “stage parents” pushing me into this career – they wanted me to be a doctor –  and I had plenty of self-doubt holding me back from starting sooner. I was a singer since a young child and was in both a kids choir and sang in a church choir during High School. Four of my fellow choir members wound up having successful careers in music that fueled my drive for the same. I took part on MTV’s The Real World after college – which did not set me up to be a recording artist – but more so a reality tv persona cast as a Christian Southern frat boy fresh out of the closet – so I had to re-brand to establish myself as a musical artist. I started my songwriting journey in Nashville experimenting in different genres (Country,  Pop, Rock, Christian, Rap) but I loved Dance music the most and pursued DJs asking if they would “remix” or reproduce my original songs. 2017 saw my first success when I signed my first songs to record labels with the songs: John Dahlback “Anyone Would Know ft Davis Mallory” signed to Armin Van Buuren’s label Armada and the song: Landis – “Loud ft Davis Mallory” signed to Cedric Gervais’ label Delecta. (This was 4 years in the works – I began writing music in 2013 – a Little Victory for sure!) That same year (2017) I flew to Amsterdam to attend Amsterdam Dance Event – which looking back was a great career move as it introduced me to my now manager – and multiple DJs + singer-songwriters who I worked with on many singles and this new album “Little Victory.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I’m new to the Miami region – so I have not been to a lot of places yet. I’m a huge fan of Sushi and enjoyed Sushi Siam, I also love Cuban food and had great food at Havana 1957. I have been staying with multi-award-winning Russian filmmaker Dmitry Zhitov who has introduced me to Miami’s Russian/Turkish Bath – I love it and go almost once a week! I had lunch at The Versace Mansion & jokingly said that you know how there is “People of Walmart” there needs to be “People of the Versace Mansion” as people really dress up wild to go there – myself included. I love Nathan’s Bar in South Beach, as I had my album release party there on Feb 19, 2021. 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My latest album Little Victory is inspired by Elhay Cohen – Israeli singer-songwriter – who I met while touring Europe in 2018. I was on my “Sun and Moon” Tour & opened for Israeli Eurovision winner Netta who encouraged that I visit Israel – I had never been – so I ended my tour by visiting Tel Aviv where I met and began dating Elhay. This romance created the song “Little Victory” and his influence on my life has been great – he still often shares me excellent spiritual reading materials of self-love and motivation – the latest book he recommended is “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay – I loved it and I highly recommend everyone read it.  I wear a “chai” necklace in part a tribute to him (Elhay means God (el) Lives (chai))  & part the meaning of the word “life” and the impact this trip to Israel had on my life and created my latest album “Little Victory”

Fanlink.to/LittleVictoryAlbum

Website: www.DavisMallory.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/davismallory
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdavismallory/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/davismallory
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davismallory
Youtube: www.youtube.com/davismallorymusic
Other: www.linktr.ee/DavisMallory https://davismallory.bandcamp.com/album/little-victory
Merch & limited edition autographed CDs https://davismallory.bandcamp.com/album/little-victory

Image Credits
Wes and Alex