David Ducharme-Jones David Ducharme-Jones’ (pronounced doo-sharm) smooth and sophisticated style originates from an extensive musical career. His soulful vocals and jazz-infused blues guitar has evolved from an eclectic appreciation for rock, blues, jazz, funk and soul. Ducharme-Jones’ live performances and new album, Weeds, reflect these influences and his innate musical sense. Weeds is a mix of Ducharme-Jones’ originals and favorites that follow a path similar to the records he listened to growing up. “A lot of albums from the ’70s, stuff that I really got into, was a mixed bag of styles. Tommy Bolin, Eric Clapton and Johnnie Winter would have different genres on one album. I don’t think at that time they tried to narrow an artist’s style like they do now. You could hear rock, country rock, jazz, or blues tracks all on the same record. So I thought I’d make an album with all the musical influences I love. And that’s why I called it Weeds. It’s a wild collection of songs,” says Ducharme-Jones. Ducharme-Jones was born on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa, into a family with five kids. “My mom and my sister played piano a little, and I think every one of my siblings played some kind of instrument for about a week. I was the only one who found a passion for music. When I was just beginning to play music, I was fortunate to have several friends who were also starting to play, so we were always jamming and learning from each other.” Ducharme-Jones was playing professionally in several bands while still in Des Moines, but not fond of the winters in Iowa, so he and his wife, Annie, moved to San Francisco. During the ’80s David fronted a band called The Drive that cultivated a strong following in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was produced by Mike Clink (Guns N’ Roses) and Neal Schon, guitarist for multi-platinum rockers Journey. But after several unsuccessful attempts to secure a major record deal, the band dissolved. Ready for a change in scene, Ducharme-Jones and Annie relocated to Austin, a city they’d seen featured in a Rolling Stone article. “We came down to check it out, and it was exciting to see all the cool venues for live music. It was hilly and green, and it seemed very hip and friendly. We loved it.” Ducharme-Jones quickly found a gig playing with R&B singer Eloise Burrell and a number of other bands. In 1996, Ducharme-Jones was a founding member of Rainravens, producing an album for Deja Disc, a prestigious Texas indie label, before signing a deal with Blue Rose Records in Germany. After two albums and several U.S. and European tours, Ducharme-Jones left the band, but returned in 2007 to produce the latest Rainravens effort, Garden Rocket, and mix the live DVD of the band performing on Rockpalast, filmed during their latest tour in Europe. Ducharme-Jones’ latest work, Weeds, is definitely his best yet, but expect more. His love of performing and recording doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. |
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