JPDL is one of the most recognisable faces and indeed voices on the music and spoken word scene in Gloucestershire. Although being based in Cheltenham Dave (as he is also known) has become a regular at Gloucester’s Rooftop and King’s Jam Festivals as well as working in collaboration with other Gloucestershire artists and being one of the members of 5Mics (a Beat box and vocalist group). Dave’s expertise with the mic sees him in one instance writing and collaborating with Gloucestershire producer Yogi Beats on hip hop tracks but then also write and perform spoken word pieces that have been watched and enjoyed by the community of Gloucester.
So JPDL what have you been up to the last 6 months/what projects have you been working on?
Loads of different bits and bobs. Lots of commissions like the Gloucester and Cheltenham pieces that’s on the site. Running various workshops in and around the area. Plus I am working on several different musical projects with a variety of different producers.
Has the lockdown affected you in any way or has the unexpected solitude allowed your creativity to flow?
Unfortunately, I’m making no money at the moment, which is a bit of a pain. It has slowed down my recording, videoing and releases of projects. However, the unexpected solitude has really given me a chance to reach to people who I have wanted to work with for a while and previously talked about collaborating with. So I have been able to complete quite a few new writing projects, ready to hit the ground running when we reintegrate.
Will what’s gone on change or influence your work in future?
Yes, I think so, because I have put together an album with a polish artist called Heron. Myself and Heron will hopefully be doing some gigs together further afield in the future. For instance, he has a studio link up in Edinburgh and the first thing on the list after lockdown is to get up there and record the whole project.
Will it make you look at life differently, if yes/no why?
Yes, it will, the time to think and write has given me an insight into how important and integral the writing process is to my practice and in a broader sense my life. Over the last few years, I have really lost sight of how beneficial it is to me from a mental health perspective. This means my life will change and I make sure I program some time off dedicated to writing and lifting pressure by doing so. Also, I am going to sleep more.
What can we expect to see from you when the lockdown’s over?
A brand new 30-minute hip hop set from myself and Yogi Beats. I am really happy with how this has taken shape and I can’t wait to start gigging again. Also, Russell Haines has got an incredible plan for an art installation around Gloucester city, which he very kindly brought me on board with, it’s set to be really special.
What are you looking forward to the most?
Without gigging my life is really boring, I literally sit smoke and write all day. I’m really looking forward to seeing people again.
If you had to be locked down with another Artist with the view of writing in collaboration, who would it be and why? #LockdownWriteDown
A dream collaboration would be Madlib because I would love to work with him on a concept album. In a more realistic context, Yogi Beats because we have a perpetual to-do list that expands every single day.
Is there any particular music or artist that you’re listening to as a way of lifting your spirits/inspiring you during these uncertain times? #LockdownGetDown
I have been listening to a lot of 90’s/00’s RnB and hip hop. RnB Brandy type stuff hip hop Redman (Muddy Waters).
Do you find yourself eating different food during the lockdown, have you a favourite go-to comfort food? #QuarantineCuisine
Bags on bags on bags of crisps. Of all different shapes and colours.
