In the spirit of Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, comes David Kahn. David is a Los Angeles based Singer/Songwriter, with little more than an acoustic guitar and some stories to share. Hard working and optimistic, David is more of a throwback than a modernist. With a tall slender frame, and a friendly face, there’s something decidedly trustworthy about David Kahn. He’s the type of artist that elicits intrigue and anticipation by exuding genuine intentions.
David Kahn’ newest single, “Journey” is straightforward and brimming with sentiment. It’s a rather unorthodox piece, that doesn’t necessarily follow a linear songwriting pattern. Instead, David employs a charming minimalism, to craft a pleasant and reassuring work. His baritone vocal style is somewhat oblique and understated. You quickly adjust to his unique approach, and settle into the song quite nicely.
David wrote an unusual chord structure for “Journey,” that along with his vocal, defines, “Journey.” He never fully commits to a conventional rhythm, and instead plays what at times sounds like a slightly out of tune guitar. Wisely, David doesn’t overproduce the track, and instead presents it in its rawest form, warts and all. It’s quite possibly meant to be symbolic, in that certain points in our journey aren’t always pretty and certainly not perfect. David Kahn comes across as an artist who strives to capture the essence of a song.
David had enjoyed some success on TikTok, which should bode well for “Journey.” In his case, he proves he does indeed possess the musical chops to be seen as a credible songwriter. “Journey,” may or may not be for everyone, but it’s certainly memorable. David’s voice alone is enough to make him stand out in a crowded market, and it doesn’t get any more crowded than L.A. Therefore, it’s remarkable that David has maintained such a positive outlook, swimming in an ocean of proverbial sharks.
There’s a simple but quaint video for “Journey,” on YouTube. It’s actually well shot, and has a sort of animated quality meets real life. We see David in a variety of areas, presumably in his home city. The video is all that it really needs to be in that it’s an introductory piece for those who are unfamiliar with him. For existing fans of David Kahn, the video likely reinforces the modest charm that gives him a magnetic quality.
“Journey” is the kind of song that will likely find us at some pivotal time in our lives. It’s a ubiquitous message, but a pertinent one. David reminds us to take a moment, reflect, and maybe not be so hard on ourselves. Reading through the lines, you can probably gather that he wrote this for himself as much as anyone. Following our dreams can come with such a grave uncertainty that our passion can give way to obsession, and obsession to self-sabotage. The beauty of hindsight is finding peace with experiences that once gave us anxiety, and appreciating the strength we have developed. David Kahn reminds us to keep one eye on our destination, but our hearts firmly in the moment.
Chadwick Easton