Happy New Year!

 

New Tattoo 1 - Pilgrim tattoo Jerusalem Cross

A couple of weeks ago I went to the tattoo studio. 12th of december I was at Bridgemill Tattoo, Bromölla to be tattoed by the excellent Dennis Östlund. This session was a whole day and I completed two tattoos. 

The first one is presented below. It is a so called "Jerusalem tattoo" or "pilgrim tattoo". Why you might ask? Why not I say? 

The main reason is to celebrate it was five years since I went to Israel and Jerusalem on a pilgrimage. And now I am planning on going again to be tattooed in the oldest tattoo studio in the world, an oppurtunity I missed when I was there.

In a couple of days I will present the other one.

More on the tattoo:
Jerusalem Cross

Bridgemill Tattoo

God bless!

  

Merry Christmas

 

Photo session

This very day I went to a photoshoot. I have assigned a new photographer to shoot picture for me personally. So this time around it was not for Daevidius but in some sense it will actually affect this project as well since the pictures of me has not been updated for almost a decade I would belive. Or might even more than that.

So keep your eyes open for new pictures!

God bless!

Hello Africa... with Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy

Just as a step to prepare for the months in Africa I have upgraded a lot of my stuff. And my mind have been busy with what to pack in my bags. My biggest concern is how to creative on the road. Can I practice my singing?

So; this very day I picked out the files from one of the files from Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy to be my companion on this trip. I am not done in this yet but will be in the coming days. Such a relief!

God bless!

Finding a supervital key

This autumn I have stepped upon a higher plateu for my vocals. This actually means adressing the problems I have with strenght and coming in to low. I learned my faults and weakness and has also been given new tools from my vocal coach. Applying and knowing though is two concepts far apart. Sometimes I've doubt my ability and even my voice but this Monday the session at Mindvoice changed it all. We discovered a vital key! This brought a new kind of peace of mind to me and I can surely rest in the Lord God. Applying this key will be really exciting and I think I might step upon yet another plateu. 

All Glory to God!

God Bless!

Vocal Fry (The struggle)

Well.. This day I spent some time listening to Ken Tamplin. I have been struggling with my voice for quite some time now; well too many years actually. And the issue has been accelerating like crazy the last months. As you might remember I started taking lessons together with a new vocal coach in august. This was a really hugh step for me take and I discovered I had many issues. Most of them are of technical art. I know a lot in theory but now is the time to apply the techniques.

One of the issues this year has been my head voice. It just sounds airy and got no strength. And today I might found out a way to get this right. Ken Tamplin was talking about sing in a vocal fry. So this I will try out for the coming months in the way he ordained it. 

Stay tuned for more updates on this process.

God bless! 

Hello Africa? Plans, plans, plans...

As the darkness of winter is upon us and the first snow just fell I am with my head in Africa. In about 7 weeks I will be on my way to Africa. This trip will last for twho months and has nothing to do with Daevidius. One of the main issues is being unable for two months to record music. Hopefully I get around and reprogram my head to write some music and lyrics during these two months. I realize this will be the ultimate test and a preperation for the future. Maybe this will alter my future. Maybe this will be the last call for Daevidius. Who knows? I am open to changes and are looking for them. 

But until then; There are lot of works to be done. And one of them is to prepare posts for this blogg. I do not want to lose track of what I have been doing for over a decade. I do not want to lose you.

Stay tuned!

God bless!

New tracklist for upcoming EP - Part II

Back in March this year I published a tracklist for the upcoming EP. Well.. now it is on the verge of being published an updated version. So in the weeks to come a new version (the final one?) will be released.

Stay tuned!

God bless!  

Back to the start vol 1

Daevidius has been going on for quite a long time now. The first album (The demon and the Angel) was relased 12 years ago (!). Just the other day I sat down and revisited all the songs from then to now. Some songs are excellent still and some are surpassed by time. Maybe the time is near to re-record and re-release them all? Maybe it is time to just leave it as it is and just keep on enjoying the voyage onwards? However; the process is started as a parallell process to see if there will be any further development or just focus onwards.

Let us keep praying and see what opens up for us.

Stay tuned!

God bless!

Updated way of recording vocals

I just had a day off and set aside the day for recording vocals. And guess what? I managed to record new vocals on two songs and this in a new way. It sounds amazing to my ears. I am in a new process of learning recording.

So what is new then? I have been testing out different styles of recording vocals for many, many years. A week ago or so I set up my SM7B in a new way, mounted on a microphone stand with no extra inserts like pre-amps or so. The volumes for recording and the technique behind the microphone is also new and more according to standard. This in line with the new learning travel with my new vocal coach Ingvar Bengtsson makes a significant change and update.

Next step is mixing for the songs I have been working on to release in the near future.

Note this process is first tested out on different projects/bands and it seems to work out fine. And since it is working quite well I will deploy this to Daevidius next coming releases.  

This is the day! Now is the time!

God bless

Repent (Remorse) Part I

Currently I am having some time off from my daytime job. This meaning a better focus on being creative. And the first week was just too much noise and clutter but now, eight days in, the clouds are nomore despite the heavy rains in the physical world.  

The processes of being creative have been kind of messy and stressful since I put to much weight on my shoulders. But tonight it all became crystal clear; I need to repent.

First of all; let us come to understanding of what we are talking about when I proclaim the need off repenting. And I will keep it simple (and adress this issue in another style and way on other platforms down the line)

What is the true meaning of the word repent? According to Merriam-Webster repent is "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life". And to clarify even further; what is sin in its original meaning (from the hebrew)(not the religious way we are taught)? The word "sin" derives from "khata" and it simply means "to fail" or "miss the goal"

So now I repent from missing the goal with my music. I have been praying a lot and tonight a friend musician of mine came to discuss another project we are working on. This leads to a total change of focus meaning a rather drastic approach to Daevidius. 

Stay tuned for more on this topic

God bless!

New DAW on the move? Garageband? FL Studio!

Well... Next year I am embarking on a voyage through parts of western Africa. One of the main issues with doing this travel in my mind is the lack of not creating during this experience. So I have been scanning the market sort of. And since I just start using an iPad the obvious choice would be Garageband. And I have tried it for a short time. Now it is time to try out FL Studio; installed now in my Studio and of course later on; I try it out on iPad. Or maybe I should focus on just lyrics during my travels and getting energy back?

God bless!

Recording acoustic guitars? Well.. No

A couple of weeks ago I declared the start up of recording acoustic guitars. Well.. that is now off the table. I started off recording and then I noted some parts needs to be altered. So I rewrote some parts and added some parts. This process was completed this morning. 

In this process I came to the conclusion I shall not record these parts myself. This led to assign a guitarplayer for this. We have not finalized when to record but we will meet up next week and try to create and evolve together.

Stay blessed!

God bless!

iPad? Really?

Next year I will embark on a voyage in western Africa for several months. I have always been kind of thinking I can not do this adventure but God is working in me. It is time to step out of the comfort of home: who knows what the outcome will be in a few years? It might be just a holiday? Well I think it actually is of great importance for my further life. But I keep the secrets to myself for now. 

However; one of the things holding me back was the thougth of how can I live without creating music for that long? That line of thoughts are now history and in line with this I bought a used iPad. And yesterday I started learn how to use it. And I must say it is really fun. The coming months in itself will be really fun in this area; I am already convinced and on the move.

Stay tuned!

God bless!

Start up Recording Acoustic Guitars

This very day I started recording clean guitars for the upncoming songs.  I will keep it very simple and I think I got a very nice sound with simple means. The headline says acoustic guitars but that is a twist. The clean guitars will be recorded with an Les Paul just adding a jazzy sound to it. In other words; we are going in a different direction soundwise. This will be a blast!

God bless!

Recording Bass Sessions - What a blast!

Wow; what a day it became! This day I only had one focus; record bass for all the songs for the upncoming EP with Daevidius. In addition to this I am also working on songs to be released under my own name, David Bengtsson. All in total it adds up to 12 songs in one form or the another. 

Before even I went to recording mode; I prayed and talked to God and asked of him to bless my plans for the day. And guess what; He did! I do not care what you think or say in this matter but he answered my prayer! I did my part (writting new lines and practice them) and he did his part!

Thank you Lord and all blessings to you all!

Stay blessed!

God bless!

Rehearsal for recording bass

Just this day I started rehearsing for new recordings of bass. The reasons for this are:

• Mostly of the songs has actually been altered and rewritten
• Altering to the sound of instruments.

And I must say; the changes are a blast!

Stay blessed!

Stay tuned!

God bless!

Life is like a roundabout (being creative)

Maybe it is like life is a roundabout. We go round and round and round until we leave and go to the next roundabout. Sometimes it is like this with the creative process. Just a few months back I completed the songs again and by that time I thought it was the best work I have ever done. Partly, for sure, that is not true but still it felt like this will be the final cut. However; I discovered there where two songs being to similar to let it slip through. So I rebooted the writing process once again and just a few days ago it was completed again. Let us hope this is the final version. Anyhow; these version are the ones I am rehearsing now.

For sure there will be new changes in this roundabout. And all the other roundabouts to come!

Stay tuned!

Stay blessed!

God bless!

Rolemodels for developing my voice

Well.. It is hard to believe but it is the end of august 2024 already. For quite a while now I have been focusing on my vocal performance. In this process I have been thinking about the type of singer I am and the rolemodels I would like to have for now. With this in mind; my rolemodels for the present and future is: 

• Tom Englund (Evergrey)
• Joakim Broden (Sabaton)
• Peter Tägtgren (Pain)

In addition to these wonderful voices I am adding other ones for my warm-up process. Which ones I am not mentioning here for the time being.

God bless!

New tool for unlock new level of vocals

 

I have been working together with the wonderful Solveig Hagman, a well renowned vocal teacher located i Kristianstad, for many years. And as you might well know; I have decided to work with yet another great vocal teacher; Ingvar Bengtsson at MindVoice. I have mentioned it before on this blogg. 

One of the tools I have began to use at his sessions is this breathing trainer. It might looks strange but it actually is a great tool in expanding my vocal universe and to reach new heights in this area. 

It is like it says on the cover; Unlock your lung potential. And I must say; I have high hopes for this one. 

Stay tuned!

God bless!

Proceedings in the studio - the recording process

Well.. the title might seem a little bit odd and.. yeah it is. I have not been falling out with myself or anyone else. I just came to the decision of changing my work order. During the summer I have been working quite a lot with the vocals to make them stand out and above all; create interesting vocal lines. I must say; I really believe they now are great. The next step was intended to be recording only one song as a demo looking for musicians. And finalize all the vocals before recording the guitars and the drums.

However; as a consequence of my session at Mindvoice, I have decided to record all instruments including drums before I attend recording the final vocals. I must restart and reboot my way of singing since I now know why I struggled with the vocals so much this year. Give the autumn to come back on track together with Ingvar at Mindvoice would be a total charm. I have the potential; now it is up to me just to focus on the vocals to get my singing act together.

Stay tuned!

God bless!

Next step Vocalist - Mindvoice

Well.. today or rather two days ago I took a giant step into something greater and to a new level. I applied for a free session online with Mindvoice Ingvar Bengtsson. We discussed my voice and how to achieve a higher level. The outcome of the event was a session next week to discover and realize how to take my vocals to another level. I am truly happy about this and me taking this step. 

Stay tuned for more about this

God Bless! 

In the summertime - Vocal Sessions

Well.. It is summer and the weather is steaming. Somewhere else at least. But who cares? The sun (Son) is always with us, in our hearts and souls. So why bother about what we can not affect? The joy is inside, created by God and ourselves, our daily decision. And for my part, it is a perfect time to work on vocals. There are many songs I am working on simultaneously and many different bands and projects as well. 

Right now, for the last two weeks or so, I have been, yet again, in the process of finalizing the vocals to be put down on the tracks to be released. And to my ears it sounds great. But who am I to decide? So be patient and stay tuned for the best Daevidius album ever.

God bless!

Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy - Vol 6 Pro Packs

Today I tread upon a new path. I started the Pro Packs, volume 6, for my vocal performances. And it is really thrilling. The hours in a day is not enough so I got to restrain myself and take it easy. 

This is fun and challenging my friends!

God Bless!

KTVA Volume 1-5 Completed - next step?

Just the other day I finished "How to sing Better than Anyone Else - Version 3.0 - Volume 5". This courses by Ken Tamplin for sure improved my singing and still I know I am just in the early steps of growing my voice in ways. 

Now; it is time to step up and make it more complex.

The way forward:

• Warmups Volume 3
• Weekly: Resume volume 3 exercises
• Weekly: Start up Volume 6 ProPacks 
• Week 3: Volume 4
• Week 6: Volume 5
• Weekly: At your own pace ALL Volume 3

For me it makes sense but not for those not signed up for Ken Tamplin. But some secrets is to be kept!

Stay tuned!

God bless!

Turning freedome into a bird

As you know I have rearranged and changed the songs. One of theses transformed into something new. I am talkin about the third track on the upncoming EP. 

The spot for the third track was namned as Hour of Freedome. It seemed to me all along the title and the lyrics were a little boring and generic. I have thought abour changing the title to something with a Eagle fly free or something like that as well. This is kind of funny though; could you ask for a more generic title? Probably not.

Well; now the new title for the song is Eagle. And by this I have as well personalized the lyrics to sit more in line with a personal story. The lyrics for Hour of Freedome was more of a tale of how Jesus Christ died for our sins. The new lyrics is more about my relation with God and how I turn to Jesus Christ when I am in need. I scream out his name.

There may be new titles and new lyrics to come. Why not personalize the other lyrics as well to get this touch of desperate love and yearning for a new time?

God bless!

Rewrite and revolve ... elevated & rewritten material ... Again ..Step 3

Well... It took just a couple of days and so was the songs rewritten. Once again the songs are completed. Once again it needs some extra time in the studio to start up the changed songs and start recording. There is  glimpse of hope for recording in the next week. For now I just focus on songwriting and this is not just for Daevidius. I am writing for a couple of other projects as well.

God Bless!

Rewrite and revolve ... elevated & rewritten material ... Again ..Step 2

Remember my latest post? How it is a process rewriting songs? Well; the songs mentioned in my last post is now back to the creating phase. And like I have noticed so many times before; the first versions of the songs are many times the best. And so in this case. 

As an example; King of Kings. This is a truly old song originally meant for the Valley of a Death album. But for some reason, back then, I thought is was not good enough. Now, on the other hand, i sita perfect with the other songs on the album. And new verses and new music are added. Many new riffs has been created and the unused ones will go into the Vault for use in songs to come.

Stay tuned!

God bless,!

Rewrite and revolve ... elevated & rewritten material

Well... this is not a new tracklist. However; a week ago or so I noted there were significant similarities between songs. And this was not good enough. Playing and writing songs is a constant strive and a learning process. So just the other day I finished rewriting, This means the bass sessions will soon be finished. Time is travelling like a rocket but still; time is on our side. 

The songs rewritten was, partly new bass, guitar riffs and synts:

• Hour of freedome
• The Battle Within
• King of Kings

Stay blessed and never give up

God bless!

In the Studio - Bass Sessions

Just a few days ago I started re-recording or record updated basslines for ALL my projects. This is a massive task but since bass guitar is my main instrument it is the most easiest task of them all. I have been focusing this time around to play it more clean but with a slightly distorted sound. There are many reasons for this but it sounds better than ever. Could it be that we are progressing?

Stay tuned for more news!

God bless!

In the Studio - 1st Stage Vocals Completed (3rd Stage Vocal (demo) sessions)

Today we finished the 1st stage of creating vocal melodies for too many songs to even count. All the songs is now ready for the upncoming EP/Album. Now it is just to move ahead to next stage and rehearse all the melody lines to make them shine. And maybe; in the process; the melodies will be changed again. Creating music is for me a process moving like an insane snake disorientated.

Stay tuned!

Stay blessed!

God bless!  

In the Studio - 2nd Stage Vocal (demo) sessions

Life is a kind of journey where we learn all the time. And this time around, working on this album, I am begin to see recording vocals a different way. And finally, it seems, I have found the best way for me to perform. And this will be a blast. I have never sounded this good. And the more I work with the vocals, the better it is becoming. Strange eh?!

Anyway; I am now in the second stage of recoding vocals for demo. Or rather; the outcome now is the vocals I will be practicing to make an excellent album.

Stay tuned!

God bless! 

In the Studio - 1st Stage Vocal demo sessions

Today a milestone was reached. I have been working with the vocal lines for the coming EP for the last couple of the weeks and today I finished the last one. At first I thought I have to rewrite one song cause it is really odd and progressive. However; I came to the conclusion there is no need for. It will be interesting to know what you fans say when you hear that special tune.

God bless!

Improve as musician (bass + piano)

For a time now I have been thinking of improving my musical skills. I am mainly a bass player so this is a natural place to start. In my mind I declared month of april to develop my skills on bass. Focus is learning how to play slap bass properly. And I must say; just six days in a notice a significant improvement. 

What about the piano? Well, I first thought month of focus to be may but I started this month instead! And the same thing as with practice bass; just a few days I have already notice improvements.

To be really fair, I firmly believe this really fast development is due to me praying to God of skills and confess me to this new way of life. 

So now I practice daily and it is really a blast!

God bless!

Happy Easter

The time has come to commemorate and awe our Savior and Deliverer, Jesus Christ. He went to the cross and were crucified; died for all our sins. He opened up the only way to God.

Let us celebrate the saviour of the World!

Dance and enjoy!

Happy Easter!

God Bless!

New tracklist for upcoming EP

Well... again... it happens again... And I can only laugh and be happy about... I have been rewriting some songs and I think this list of songs is the one to make it on the album. But nothing is written in stone until the stone is released. Here it comes:

1. Beyond Reality (Instrumental)
2. Beyond
3. Hour of freedome
4. The Battle Within
5. Valley of death
6. King of Kings
7. Circle of Love

Stay tuned for more news!

God bless!

How to sing Better than Anyone Else - Version 3.0 - Volume 5

Time for the next step in the process of being a better vocalist. Now I have come to volume 5. This volume is about mixing head and chest voice. So this is the day to start this stage.

God bless Ken Tamplin!

God bless!

New songs? New tracklist for next one? (Part III)? Yes!

It is hard to believe but in just a few weeks, despite the fact I have been sick, all the songs are completed for the coming album. Well; yet again I should say. I can not remember how many versions there have been. But this time; it is the final tracklist. This will be it. And the creative flow is magnificent!

Soon a new tracklist will be published!

God bless!

New songs? New tracklist for next one? (Part II)

Life is kind of a rollercoaster and the process in writing songs is really one of these peculiar rides. As I mentioned to you all in the last post I am rewriting some songs. One of these songs are Circel Of Love. And just this day I got a really unexpected idea. So stay posted to get notified when it is all done.

God bless!

New songs? New tracklist for next one?

So... here we go again... Well; as you know for a time now the album from Daevidius is in the making. And just to be sure it is the best songs to be recorded, I did a run through and listen to the songs one last time. The decision is to rewrite or replace some of the songs. And this process just started a few days ago. This pushes the release a little tad of course but the plans are still to release the album in 2024. And I am hopefull.

When all the songs are completed and the recording process yet again on the move, a new tracklist will be published.

Stay tuned!
God bless!

Thank God for Audacity!

Just this evening I decided to have a go on recording from youtube videos. Note this is not for commercial use or any copyright infrigiment. It is for reference tracks in DAW. And to my surprise it was so easy. Just install Audacity and off I went. Superb!

God bless!

What's going on?

Well... not much for the time being in the Daevidius camp. However; there have never been so much activity for a really long time. I am involved in so many projects it is not sane. I am not sure how to cope. But still I have energy for them all. And the plan is to release the EP this year. Do not give up on me.

Stay blessed!

God bless!

New Bass Signature Sound

Well; finally I have come to terms with having a great bass sound. It is quite simple and I am hoping to use it everywhere. Why not have a heavy sound with a slight touch of distortion even when playing gospel? And of course to be used on the coming EP as well as future live shows all around the globe. 

With childish wishes

God bless!

Gospel Cruise on the Baltic Sea

Now it is time for something new. Daevidius are going to attend on a Gospel Cruise on the Baltic Sea. No, we will not perform, just me, David, will attend. I wonder what will go down on this cruise. It is really outside of my comfortzone, it is on another level. I have as well signed up for clinics without knowing what that really means since the information is lacking. 

This will be a blast!

Stay tuned!

God bless!

New bass-sound?

I was thinking about creating a new sound for bass. So this night I went ahead. And I realized; why should I lay a new foundation? There is actually no reason for it. So after searching for new sounds I am settled now for recording bass for the EP. And actually I have already started out recording and adding new styles and tricks to the bassline. 

Stay tuned!

God bless! 

AI Generated future?

Well... Even though I am always sceptic to new things; today I stepped over the line. I have now tested to generate AI cinematic music. It worked pretty fine but this version is just a starting point. It is easy to create something fast but I am not yet impressed. Doing music with AI seems like it will be kind of generic. And it did sound that way. But it can be a good starting point.

And of course; like everyone else; I do not want to pay for AI. If it is from an AI it should be free.

More will follow..

God Bless!