
Davina and The Vagabonds
Season 2 Episode 210 | 56m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Davina and The Vagabonds’ Studio 3 LIVE performance brings the audience to their feet.
Minneapolis' own Davina and The Vagabonds music pulls inspiration from early jazz and blues as well as classic rock and modern pop. Their Studio 3 LIVE performance brings the audience to their feet.
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Studio 3 LIVE is a local public television program presented by Iowa PBS

Davina and The Vagabonds
Season 2 Episode 210 | 56m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Minneapolis' own Davina and The Vagabonds music pulls inspiration from early jazz and blues as well as classic rock and modern pop. Their Studio 3 LIVE performance brings the audience to their feet.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ I got some time, dear, now that you're not here ♪ Davis: Coming up on "Studio 3 LIVE," it's Davina and The Vagabonds.
♪ You see, it's been so many years now ♪ I just feel you can smell dishonesty in music... like that.
So it's just so important to me that someone, just in that first note, you know, you can just hear that what they're singing about is really who they are.
♪ You got my heart in your pocket ♪ ♪ A-bring it, a-bring it out ♪ Come on, now.
Come on, now.
♪ I'll bring it out, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ I'll bring it out, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ Hunh!
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
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Good evening and welcome to "Studio 3 LIVE."
I'm your host, Mickey Davis.
Tonight we're joined by Minneapolis' own Davina and The Vagabonds.
Led by singer, songwriter and captivating entertainer Davina Sowers, the band's music pulls inspiration from early jazz and blues as much as classic rock and the modern pop stylings of singers like Amy Winehouse.
Since forming in 2004, the band has spent the past two decades building audiences across the world through their high-energy live shows, performing in almost all 50 states and across the world.
The band's most recent album, "Shoot for the Moon," was released in 2024.
Please help me welcome to the stage Davina and The Vagabonds.
[ Mid-tempo introduction plays ] ♪♪ ♪ How did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ How did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my -- ♪ ♪ Da-do-da-do -- How did the devil get his horns?
♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ He came over to play ♪ ♪ What can I say?
♪ ♪ I love the color red ♪ ♪ I love the color red ♪ ♪ He came to visit last night ♪ ♪ He let himself right in ♪ ♪ A-with a whiskey wink, he bought himself a drink ♪ ♪ He said, "Girl, you ready to sin?
♪ ♪ You see, I'm the guy on your shoulder ♪ ♪ The one with great advice ♪ ♪ Come on, let's dance ♪ ♪ Who needs romance?
♪ ♪ So jump up and roll the dice" ♪ ♪ And I said, "How did the devil get his horns?"
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ How did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ I said how did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ He came over to play ♪ ♪ What can I say?
♪ ♪ I love the color red ♪ He told me to call him Lucy, that he's my only friend.
♪ He said, "No one loves you like I do ♪ ♪ All the rest are playing pretend" ♪ ♪ Now, before I could count my blessings ♪ ♪ He slithered past my feet ♪ ♪ He turned off the clock and turned on the box ♪ ♪ "Ring of Fire" full blast on repeat ♪ Come on!
[ Horns playing "Ring of Fire' ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Come on now.
[ Music continues ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ He started acting goofy.
You see, I should have never left him alone.
♪ He ran upstairs without a care ♪ ♪ Said he needed to use the phone ♪ ♪ So I followed right behind him ♪ ♪ To see if all was well ♪ But you know what?
♪ He was under my bed, trying to grab my legs and saying, "Ha!
♪ ♪ See you in -- " Hey, now, hey, oh, devil!
♪ ♪ Hey, old man ♪ I can see what you are.
You ain't gettin' far.
♪ He laughed and held out his hand, and I said ♪ ♪ Hey, old devil!
♪ ♪ Hey, old man ♪ I can see who you are.
You ain't gettin' far.
♪ He laughed and held out his hand ♪ Now, I thought he'd be more creative.
But he offered me some fruit.
♪ I hollered, I'm not Eve ♪ ♪ You're gonna have to leave" ♪ ♪ And finally gave him the boot, oh!
♪ ♪ How did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ How did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ ♪ I said how did the devil get his horns?
♪ ♪ He got them under my bed ♪ He came over to play.
♪♪ What can I say?
Come on, now.
♪♪ ♪ Well, he got them under my bed ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, he got them under my bed ♪ ♪ Well, he got them under my bed ♪ ♪ Well, he got them under my bed ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, he got them under my bed ♪ You know what?
He came over to play.
What can I say?
[ Music stops ] I love the color red.
[ Cheers and applause ] Davina, thank you so much for being here.
First, just tell us a little bit about yourself.
How did Davina and The Vagabonds kind of come to be?
Well, we've been together for about two decades, so 20 years.
And I was a busker in Key West.
I was pretty young when I moved to Minneapolis, and I moved to Minneapolis in February.
It was freezing compared to Key West, but I just kind of hit the ground running -- you know, started woodshedding and started writing.
And, uh, yeah.
And here we are 20 years later, so...
It's inspiring to see you continue to make music after two decades of f Davina and The Vagabonds.
Do you feel like over that time -- You know, your band sound is very unique, very specific to who you are.
Has that sound evolved or changed over time, or do you feel like it's kind of kept the same spirit in those two decades?
I think I'm always just spirited in general, but I definitely have had so many life lessons in 20 years, and my lyrics are always truthful and will always talk about -- Even if it's tongue in cheek, it's in there, you know, the lessons that I have.
but, I mean, I've definitely grown.
Hopefully after thousands and thousands of gigs, you know, I have progressed in music and composition and in life in general.
But yeah, I mean, I think it's -- We have a different kind of vibe because of the instrumentation, and, you know, I'm just being me.
So if I evolve, it evolves, I guess.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You mentioned the instrumentation you have.
And, you know, on stage tonight, you have this band that you're currently touring with.
How has your instrumentation evolved over the years as well?
Not at all.
Really?
Yeah.
I believe that our instrumentation started with a saxophone player and a trumpet player, but he just drank too much.
And so then I decided -- kkt!
-- no reeds and then did -- We just started with brass.
And I'm a huge brass fan.
So we just kind of never -- We've always been trombone, trumpet, piano, upright, drums.
I love that.
I mean, in the studio, we've used, um... you know, accordion and clarinet and xylophone and, um, you know, tubas.
I mean, we've used vast, different amounts, Even on "Sugar Drops," it was the only album that we had a guitar player on.
But I was pretty specific that I said, like, "No guitar solos."
And there's plenty of them, you know, especially with this huge Americana kind of burst in the scene.
Pianos are always kind of left without being noticed.
And I think the way I play piano, it -- You can't not hear it.
Yeah.
I'm a pounder.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah.
But I love bringing that type of vibe with the piano.
You know, I think it's lost in a lot of music these days.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
It's very front and center in your sound as well.
♪ I received your urgent message ♪ ♪ You said you want to meet ♪ Hello.
Hello?
Hello.
♪ But you don't know where you are ♪ ♪ It could be miles, it could be feet ♪ ♪ Collected all my gold ♪ ♪ Stuffed it in my sock ♪ ♪ Gonna slide on down my, my stony sidewalk ♪ ♪ I gotta find my love ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ Hey!
♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ Hey!
♪ Find my love ♪ ♪ Find my love ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ I gotta find, find my love, yeah ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Find my ♪ ♪ Da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da ♪ ♪ I cruise on 'round the corner ♪ ♪ You must have dropped a note ♪ ♪ You said you couldn't wait for me ♪ ♪ And this is what you wrote ♪ ♪♪ ♪ "Where did love hide?
I don't know ♪ ♪ Light it up with a match and watch it explode" ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Find my love ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Find, find my love ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da, da-da-da, da-da ♪ ♪ I'm gonna fi-i-ind my love ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da-da ♪ Oh!
♪ I gotta ♪ ♪ I gotta find my love ♪ Listen here!
Come on, now!
♪ I've been over, through, and back ♪ ♪ I've been over, through, and back ♪ ♪ I know I'm almost there ♪ ♪ I can feel it deep down in my bones ♪ ♪ And whippin' through my hair ♪ ♪ You see, my, my body is just leading me ♪ ♪ Oh, it seems without a care ♪ ♪ Oh, it seems without a care ♪ ♪ I can feel it when I lick my finger and put it in the air ♪ Oh, I gotta -- I gotta find my love.
Hey!
♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Find, find my love ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da, ba-da-da, ba-ba ♪ ♪ I gotta ♪ ♪ I gotta fi-i-ind my love ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ You see, I gotta find ♪ ♪ You see, I gotta find ♪ I gotta find my love.
Come on, now.
Light it up with a match.
Come on.
Come on, now.
Unh!
♪♪ ♪♪ Oh!
Do it.
Oh!
Do it.
[ Music builds ] Hey!
Whoo!
♪ Find my love ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Find, find my love ♪ ♪ Da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da ♪ ♪ I'm gonna fi-i-ind ♪ ♪ My love ♪ ♪ I gotta find my ♪ ♪ Da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da ♪ [ Music ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] Okay.
So this song... is another song that we're gonna do.
is another song that we're gonna do.
[ Laughter ] We do songs.
That's kind of our thing.
This song -- I don't know if you guys remember The Lovin' Spoonful.
[ Audience murmuring ] Okay.
Um, remember that -- What is that?
[ Plays descending notes ] Remember that song?
[ Plays descending notes ] ♪ Hot town, summer in the city ♪ ♪ Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty ♪ ♪ Cool cat ♪ ♪ Isn't...something ♪ [ Mumbling ] Oh, you should be me!
[ Vocalizing ] We're not doing that song.
[ Laughter ] But this is another...
This is another Lovin' Spoonful song.
[ Light introduction playing ] ♪ It's a hard -- ♪ [ Light introduction playing ] ♪ It's a hard -- ♪ No.
I'm just joking.
[ Music continues ] Doesn't it sound like that?
♪ What a day for a daydream ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ What a day for a daydreamin' girl ♪ ♪ And now I'm lost in a... ♪ ♪ Daydream ♪ ♪ Dreaming 'bout my bundle of joy ♪ ♪ Now even if time ain't really on my side ♪ ♪ You see, it's ♪ ♪ You see, it's ♪ ♪ It's one of those days for takin' a walk outside ♪ You know what?
♪ I'm blowin' the day to take a walk in the sun ♪ ♪ In front of my face in someone's new-mowed lawn ♪ ♪ I've been having a sweet dream ♪ ♪ I've been dreamin' since I woke up today ♪ ♪ It's starring me and my sweet thing ♪ ♪ It's starring me and my sweet thing ♪ ♪ 'Cause he's the one that makes me feel this way ♪ ♪ 'Cause he's the one that makes me feel this way ♪ ♪ And even if time, even if time passes me by ♪ Huh?
♪ I couldn't care less about the dues you say I've got ♪ ♪ You see, tomorrow I'll pay my dues for dropping my load ♪ ♪ A pie in the face for being a sleepy bull toad ♪ [ Wood block, trombone playing ] Yeah, man.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Music builds ] ♪♪ Yeah, man!
♪♪ ♪ Now you can be sure if you are feeling right ♪ ♪ You see, a daydream will last long into the night ♪ ♪ Or -- Or tomorrow at breakfast you could prick up your ears ♪ ♪ Or -- Or you can be daydreamin' ♪ ♪ For a thousand years ♪ ♪ For a thousand years ♪ ♪ What a day, what a day for a daydream ♪ ♪ What a day, what a day for a daydream ♪ ♪ Custom-made for a daydreamin' gal ♪ ♪ And now I am lost in a daydream ♪ ♪ Dreaming 'bout my, my bundle of joy ♪ [ Whistling ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Whistling ] I'm gonna throw it at you.
Here we go.
[ Group whistling ] ♪♪ [ Music slows ] [ Laughter ] ♪♪ [ Applause ] Thank you to the six of you that whistled.
You held strong.
You held strong.
How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard it before?
I mean, my elevator pitch is 100 years of Americana music with my originals lending to that, you know?
But I don't know.
I think for me, it's a little bit deeper than that.
But, you know, some people -- Obviously I get compared to Amy Winehouse all the time.
Um, all the time.
And I've never owned an album of hers.
She's brilliant.
But, you know, I don't know.
I don't know.
I would just say that it's honest and it's cheerful and even the sad songs give you hope.
So...yeah.
You've talked a little bit in previous interviews about your kind of -- I don't know -- musical awakenings, right?
The albums that really stuck with you when you were young.
And a lot of them were your stepfather's albums.
The Sister Rosetta Tharpes of the world and people like that.
So it's interesting to hear you talk about 100 years of Americana, where you can very clearly in your music hear those very early years of the 100 up until people, like you said, like Amy Winehouse or the rock 'n' roll somewhere in the middle.
I'm a huge Frank Ocean fan.
I'm a huge Wilco fan.
You know, and to me, that's Americana as well.
What do you feel, in all of the kind of disparate music that you listen to and that inspires you, what do you feel is kind of the commonality in all of that music?
Grief.
Yeah.
Truth.
You know, I'm a sucker for a sad song.
But also the hope, the realness, the truthfulness, the honestness, the honesty.
I just feel you can smell dishonesty in music... like that.
So it's just so important to me that someone, just in that first note, you know, you can just hear that what they're singing about is really who they are, what they've seen, what they want to share.
So I think that's a common thread.
I mean, that's vibewise.
I'm all about the soul.
Yeah.
You know?
So...
This is for you guys, because your heart is In my pocket.
How's that?
Is that good?
How's that?
Is that good?
Is that a good way to, like, segue into it?
Is that a good way to, like, segue into it?
[ Applause ] I'm working on it.
Hup, two... [ Up-tempo introduction plays ] Yes, sir.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Ooh!
Hunh.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I got some time, dear, now that you're not here ♪ ♪ I'm gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ And let you know how I feel ♪ ♪ You see, it's been so many years now ♪ ♪ And we both had our ups and our downs ♪ But you know what?
There's nothing... ♪ Nothing a-gonna tear us apart ♪ ♪ No, no ♪ ♪ Because you got it ♪ ♪ You got my heart in your pocket ♪ ♪ Bring it out when you want love ♪ ♪ When you want love ♪ ♪ You got it ♪ ♪ You got my heart in your pocket ♪ ♪ A-bring it, bring it out ♪ Come on, now.
♪ A-bring it out ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ Hunh.
Unh.
Yeah.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ You see, I remember the time ♪ ♪ When your eyes met mine ♪ ♪ You know, you know that it wasn't ♪ ♪ It wasn't a mistake ♪ ♪ I've been trapped in a town, a town ♪ ♪ When love is what I found ♪ ♪ And my heart is, my heart is what I let you take ♪ ♪ You forgot it ♪ ♪ You've got it in your pocket ♪ ♪ Bring it out when you want it ♪ When you want love, you see.
♪ You've got it ♪ ♪ In your pocket ♪ Come on, now.
Bring it out.
Bring it out.
Hey!
♪♪ ♪♪ Hey!
♪♪ Yeah, baby.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I got some time, dear, now that you're not here ♪ ♪ I'm gonna write you, a-write you, a-write you ♪ ♪ A love song and let you know how I feel ♪ Because it's been so many years now, and we both had our ups and our downs.
But you know what?
There's nothing... ♪ Nothing gonna tear us apart, no ♪ ♪ No, sir ♪ ♪ Nothing gonna tear us apart because you... ♪ ♪ Because you got it ♪ ♪ Because you got it ♪ ♪ In your ♪ ♪ In your ♪ ♪ Poc...ket ♪ ♪ Bring it out when you want it ♪ ♪ Bring it out when you want it ♪ Come on, now.
When you want it, when you want it... ♪ You want ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I will always be there with you ♪ ♪ I'll never leave without you, honey ♪ ♪ I'll bring it out when you want love ♪ ♪ When you... ♪ ♪ You want love ♪ [ Music ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] Okay.
Look at these amazing cups.
Look at these amazing cups.
It says "Studio 3 LIVE."
Best joint around is this joint right now.
[ Cheers and applause ] All right.
We're gonna do -- This is literally one of the first songs I wrote.
It is.
I shouldn't have prefaced before by saying, like, "Ugh."
But when we first started, I played so many swing dancers.
That was kind of our gig -- swing dancers.
And so I wrote this for them.
And there's this corner bar called Lee's Liquor Lounge, and that's where we held a weekly gig, every Wednesday, for quite some time.
And so I wrote this there, from there for them.
That's the story.
Is this better?
Is my story getting better?
[ Cheers and applause ] Then this dragon came!
No.
I'm just joking.
Are you guys ready?
[ Up-tempo introduction plays ] ♪♪ ♪ I've got a swing in my step ♪ ♪ Nothing could go wrong ♪ ♪ I got a pocket full of money ♪ ♪ And a head full of dancing songs ♪ You know what?
You know what?
Let's go down to Studio 3 LIVE.
You see, that's where they say the good's... the good's gettin' all used up.
♪ Let's dance till our feet get tired ♪ ♪ And the soda pop pours out of our cup ♪ ♪ Well -- Well, nothin' ♪ Nothin'!
♪ Nothin', nothin' could go wrong ♪ ♪ Nothin' could go wrong ♪ ♪ It's just you and me, you see, the way it should be ♪ ♪ I'm right here, the girl of your dreams ♪ That's right, now.
♪ Well, now, nothin' ♪ ♪ Ooh-hoo!
♪ Nothin' could go wrong.
♪ Nothin' could go wrong ♪ ♪ Don't stop lovin' me or huggin' me ♪ ♪ I'm right here ♪ ♪ I'm right here ♪ ♪ Can't you see?
♪ Come on.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Oh!
Now, don't you worry, baby.
♪ Now, don't you worry, baby ♪ ♪ You see, I made all -- I made all my friends stay home ♪ ♪ It's just you and me, the way it should be ♪ ♪ A dance floor, lipstick, and chrome ♪ I said... You see what... ♪ I said I got a swing in my step, yes, I do, now ♪ ♪ Hoo-hoo!
♪ Nothing could go wrong.
You know why?
'Cause I got a mouth full of honey.
♪ And a head full, head full of sassy songs ♪ That's right, now.
[ Music builds ] ♪ Well, now, nothin' ♪ Nothin'!
♪ Nothin', nothing', nothin' could go wrong ♪ ♪ Nothin' could go wrong ♪ ♪ It's just you and me, the way it should be ♪ ♪ A dance floor, lipstick, and chrome ♪ ♪♪ Yes, sir.
Hey, hey!
[ Music ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] Can you talk about, you know, in those 20 years, you've played thousands of shows, you've traveled across the U.S., you've spent time in Europe, you've traveled.
And I would imagine in that time you've played to a lot of different types of audiences, whether that's clubs or festivals or coffee shops, kind of the wide range -- Hole in the walls... Yeah, yeah.
...to tens of thousands of people.
Yeah.
What do you feel about your music allows you to connect with people?
And what do you feel about your music resonates with folks, especially those in other countries who may not have a similar kind of cultural background as you?
I think some of it is 'cause I'm a ham and I'm a performer.
You know, I think people enjoy that -- that I'm not just, like, singing the music.
I'm trying to also show them visually, too.
You know, I don't know.
I just feel blessed that they like it when they do.
I'm not really sure.
I mean, maybe it's the honesty factor.
I think my heart is on my sleeve.
And I've never been afraid, ever been afraid to use my words -- ever.
So I think maybe that's it.
And if they don't understand the words, you know, I have no poker face, so they're gonna see it, you know?
Um...yeah.
But it's pretty hip that I've had the opportunity to play in front of so many different people from different cultures and different countries.
In those experiences and in playing in all of those different environments, what do you think you've learned most about yourself?
That I'm vulnerable and that I have the capability to be vulnerable, which I think is not easy for a lot of people and sometimes it isn't easy for me.
The business side is that I persevere and I work really hard, and so does my band.
But... And that also I'm stubborn and a pain in the butt sometimes.
I mean, there's just so much that you learn in the process of doing what I do, you know?
[ Drumroll ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Horns playing ] ♪♪ [ Music slows, continues ] Shh!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Can you hear the ho-hummin' of the train ♪ ♪ That keeps on runnin' in my head?
♪ ♪ It's a hearty little melody playin' over and over again ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Last forever, leaves a mark ♪ ♪ Some reason you'll please to go into the dark ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ ♪ I think I feel it in the distance ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ ♪ Grab your hat ♪ ♪ Grab your hat ♪ ♪ It's time to go ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ ♪ Can't you hear?
The train's a-comin' ♪ ♪ Comin' to carry us ♪ ♪ Home ♪ ♪ Home ♪ ♪♪ Oh!
♪♪ Oh!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Keep on movin' ♪ ♪ Don't let the beat drop ♪ ♪ Keep on movin' those feet ♪ ♪ Oh, keep on movin' ♪ ♪ Oh, keep on movin' ♪ ♪ It's never gonna stop ♪ ♪ Right from the start, then repeat ♪ ♪ Right from the start, then repeat ♪ ♪ You see, one and one make two, you see ♪ ♪ You see, one and one make two, you see ♪ ♪ And you, the hum, and me make three ♪ ♪ 'Cause misery loves company, they say ♪ ♪ And follow me, follow me down the line ♪ I'll have your back for sure this time.
I'll make all -- all your problems mine today.
♪ You see, I'll eat up all your words ♪ ♪ And lick up the crumbs ♪ ♪ And -- And we'll ride together ♪ ♪ Listenin' to the ho-hum ♪ ♪ Don't be scared ♪ ♪ I'm here, my friend ♪ ♪ I'm here, my friend ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ ♪ I've got your back, baby ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ ♪ Oh, it ain't over till the end ♪ ♪ So keep on riding, oh ♪ ♪ So keep on riding, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, ho-hum ♪ ♪ I think I feel it in the distance ♪ ♪ A-ho-hum ♪ ♪ Grab your hat ♪ ♪ It's time to go ♪ ♪ Ho-hum ♪ I think I hear the train's a-comin' ♪ ♪ Comin' to carry us home ♪ ♪ Oh, a-comin' to carry me home ♪ ♪ Comin' to carry me home ♪ ♪ Comin' to carry me... ♪ [ Music ends ] ♪ Home ♪ Davis: Can you talk a little bit about the inspiration behind the song "Sugar Moon"?
Sure.
I wrote "Sugar Moon" when we were touring in the van.
And when it's at night and you're on the road in a big, stinky, 15-passenger Chevy Express van, you take the time when you feel the solitude the most and you try to be very grateful for it.
And I was in the back bench, and there was a full moon, and I just started singing to it.
Not loud, 'cause that would've annoyed the guys, but... And it just made me feel like it's exactly where I was supposed to be.
And that's how the song started.
Um, and there is some darkness to it, for sure.
But that's what the moon is about.
You know, when it's big and bright in such a dark time, Um, it just shows you that you're not alone by this big beacon of magic, you know, in the sky.
by this big beacon of magic, you know, in the sky.
[ "Sugar Moon" plays ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ The wind blew up ♪ ♪ The wind blew down upon me ♪ ♪ And my moon tonight ♪ ♪ The wind blew up, up ♪ ♪ The wind blew down, down one last time ♪ ♪ Alone with the moon tonight ♪ ♪ Isn't it grand?
♪ ♪ Feel like going crazy with the moon in my hand ♪ ♪ Nothing says it better like ♪ ♪ My sugar moon ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ The fire's out ♪ ♪ The leaves are burning under my feet ♪ ♪ In the still of the moon tonight ♪ ♪ In the still of the moon tonight ♪ ♪ The smoke is choked up ♪ ♪ The smoke is choked up ♪ ♪ My lips are turning red and pink and blue ♪ ♪ From kissing you, my sugar moon ♪ ♪ Oh, nothin' says, nothin' says ♪ ♪ It better like ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Sugar moon ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Yeah!
♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪ Da-da-da-da ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You see, nothin' ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better ♪ ♪ Isn't it grand?
♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, what a night ♪ ♪ You see, nothing could go wrong ♪ ♪ I've got my moon ♪ ♪ And she's humming all my songs ♪ ♪ And if I should die now be-before I wake ♪ ♪ Bury me with my sugar moon ♪ ♪ High above Medicine Lake ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Isn't it grand?
♪ ♪ Nothin' says ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪ Makes me feel like going crazy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Nothin' says, nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪ Nothin' says, nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪ My sugar ♪ ♪ My sugar ♪ ♪ Sugar ♪ ♪ Sugar ♪ ♪ You seem to ♪ ♪ Feel like going crazy now ♪ ♪ I feel like going crazy now ♪ ♪ 'Cause nothin' says it better like ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪♪ ♪ She's humming all my songs ♪ ♪ She makes me feel like going crazy ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Feel like going crazy now ♪ ♪ 'Cause nothin' says ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪ Nothin' says it better like my sugar ♪ ♪ My sugar ♪ ♪ My sugar moon ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Can you talk to us a little bit about your song "St. Michael Vs. the Devil?"
I absolutely can.
"St. Michael Vs. the Devil" I wrote because I had one of those Catholic icon candles on my piano.
And I love the story of St. Michael.
And he's such a warrior, you know, and kind of brutal.
And so I took, like, a modern vamp placed in Minneapolis between St. Michael and the devil and, you know, just kind of their relationship in my head, you know, not theologically correct, but in my head.
And it's probably one of my favorite songs to sing.
But that's kind of how it started.
I remember growing up, and my neighbor had a big statue of St. Michael with a spear and, like, you know, Lucifer, kind of.
It was weird, and I just have always kind of taken a liking to the story and just how such a beautiful winged creature could be such a fighter, you know, so... could be such a fighter, you know, so... [ "St. Michael Vs. the Devil" plays ] ♪ Ta-unh ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I've been lickin' my wounds under the gates of heaven ♪ ♪ Trying to find a clock to prove the day is gonna end ♪ ♪ I've been drinking my poison, staring at my feet ♪ ♪ I've been waving my sword in the air in defeat ♪ ♪ I've got holes in my wings, a blue note in my voice ♪ ♪ I've got blood on my hands, you see I didn't have a choice ♪ ♪ I left his poor soul under the bridge of Hennepin and Pine ♪ ♪ You see, that dirty old dog ♪ ♪ He thought he was leaving me behind ♪ ♪ He's a dirty little devil ♪ ♪ He's a dirty little devil ♪ ♪ He's a sneaky little devil ♪ ♪ He's a d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-dirty little devil ♪ ♪ Well, he p-promised me gold and he promised me love ♪ ♪ He promised me a good time if I left up above ♪ ♪ He said I ain't got no paycheck ♪ ♪ In fact, I ain't got no life ♪ ♪ Because I, I, I, I fl-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y ♪ ♪ Around all day ♪ ♪ And I f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-fly ♪ ♪ And I f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-fly ♪ ♪ Around all night, oh ♪ ♪ He's a sneaky little devil, yes, he is ♪ ♪ He's a sneaky little devil, yes, he is ♪ ♪ Yes, he is ♪ ♪ Yes, he is ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Hey!
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Well, he said I've got trouble ♪ ♪ I've got trouble indeed ♪ ♪ I've got trouble indeed ♪ ♪ I ain't got the kind of trouble ♪ ♪ You can touch, taste, or see ♪ ♪ And I thought for a second, this devil could be right ♪ ♪ But I'm going to take orders from a man ♪ ♪ Assumed to dress in white ♪ ♪ And I ain't the one burning ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ I ain't ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ The ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ One ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ I ain't the one ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ Burning ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ I've been licking my wounds ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ Ah-ah-ah-ah ♪ [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪ Ah-ah ah-ah-ah-ah ah-ah ah-ah-ah-ah-ah ♪ You got it, you got it.
[ Trombone repeats melody ] [ Cheers and applause ] That was so good, Matt.
♪ I've been lickin' my [trilling] wounds ♪ I don't know if you can do the sound, but... [ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Yes!
♪ Ah ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah-ah ah-ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah ah-ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ♪ ♪ Ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ♪ ♪ Ah ah ah ah ♪ ♪ [ Trilling ] Wounds ♪ Sorry.
Alright.
Don't forget we're being recorded.
[ Trombone repeats melody ] ♪♪ Hey!
Matt Hanzelka, everybody.
♪ I've been licking my wounds under the gates of heaven ♪ ♪ Trying to find a clock to prove the day is gonna end ♪ ♪ And I've been drinking my poison, staring at my feet ♪ ♪ I've been waving my sword ♪ ♪ I've been waving my sword ♪ ♪ Because he's a sneaky little devil, yes, he is ♪ ♪ He's a dirty little devil ♪ ♪ He's a sneaky ♪ ♪ D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-Dirty ♪ ♪ He's a sneaky little devil ♪ ♪ Dirty little devil ♪ ♪ Sneaky ♪ ♪ Dirty little devil ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] What do you hope people take away from a show when they see you perform?
Lightness, you know, and some heaviness.
But I want them leaving feeling at peace.
You know, we don't get that very much.
I -- At least I don't.
So if you can have 60 minutes of just forgetting about the BS, you know, that's what I want people to take out of it, you know.
Just lightness and them to be capable of knowing that they can be vulnerable, as well, and happy at the same time, you know?
Yeah.
Yeah.
What's next for you?
What's next for the band?
Tons of touring, tons of writing.
I'm still, you know, just really wanting to come out with the next album, you know.
And it was funny, like, during making "Shoot for the Moon," I'm always still going, you know, "Let's write some more.
Let's do some more."
So just keeping doing what I've been doing for 20 years, you know, yeah.
Hup, two.
Hup, two.
Ho!
♪♪ Say, oh, buh.
♪ I've got my red shoes made and mend ♪ ♪ I've got my red shoes made and mend ♪ ♪ And everyone wants to be my friend but ♪ ♪ And everyone wants to be my friend but ♪ ♪ This girl is ♪ ♪ Staying home tonight ♪ ♪ You see, I got my black dress ♪ ♪ Fittin' fine ♪ ♪ And all I got on my hands is time ♪ ♪ But this girl is ♪ ♪ Staying home tonight ♪ ♪ You see, I've been watching all my P's and Q's ♪ Yep.
♪ Dotting all my I's for you ♪ ♪ I know you come far and few ♪ ♪ I know you come far and few ♪ ♪ I know you come far and few ♪ ♪ So, baby, won't you stay home with me tonight?
♪ ♪ You see, the, the radio is playing all our songs ♪ ♪ And the sun, it won't be up for long, so ♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Let's rock this house tonight, oh ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Yes!
♪♪ Oh.
♪ You see, we don't need no one in our hair, no ♪ ♪ You see, we don't need no one in our hair, no ♪ ♪ Actin' all fussy and s-square ♪ ♪ Let's stay home, you and me, what a p-pair, oh ♪ ♪ Baby, oh, baby, oh, baby, oh ♪ ♪ Baby, won't you please ♪ ♪ Stay home with me tonight, yeah ♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Let's rock this, this house tonight ♪ ♪ I said, come on, baby won't you please ♪ ♪ Stay home with me tonight ♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Let's rock this ♪ ♪ Let's rock this ♪ ♪ Let's rock this house tonight ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ Yes, sir.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Oh!
♪♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Let's...rock...this ♪ ♪ House tonight ♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Let's...rock...this ♪ ♪ Let's...rock...this ♪ ♪ House tonight ♪ ♪ Come on, baby ♪ ♪ Let's ♪ ♪ Rock this house tonight ♪ [ Song ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] Tell us a little bit of the story behind "I Can't Believe I Let You Go."
"I Can't Believe I Let You Go" is three songs I couldn't finish.
It was the last song I wrote for "Sugar Drops," the album before "Shoot for the Moon."
And I loved all of the hooks.
And Beck and I actually wrote the -- the -- all of it and arranged it the day before and during the drive to Nashville to record the album.
Um, the meaning behind it was a breakup, of course.
And, um, I shouldn't say "of course," but, um, And, um, I shouldn't say "of course," but, um, just the heartache of being away from someone that you love.
Um, and that was kind of the reason for all three songs.
And I thought, "Why am I writing three heartbreakers?
You know, maybe I should just smush them together."
And what's crazy is Rolling Stone named it one of the top 10 Americana songs of 2019.
Wow.
Love it.
Which was just crazy to me -- Wow.
Love it.
Which was just crazy to me -- out of all the songs.
But, um, it's a killer pop tune.
I love writing sticky sweet pop songs, you know, with a kind of like an edge to it.
And it ends with a -- it ends with a trumpet solo, which I think is just amazing, because what pop song ends with the trumpet solo, you know?
And it had triple-A play.
And I just think it's really, really cool, you know, that we could do that.
Um, and so that's "I Can't Believe I Let You Go."
Yeah.
It's about me making mistakes, breaking hearts, someone breaking my heart.
It's a whole story, you know?
So... Well, Davina, thank you so much for being here.
Thanks for playing on "Studio 3 LIVE."
Thank you.
Yeah, thank you very much.
Hup!
Hup!
[ "I Can't Believe I Let You Go" plays ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I can't believe I let you go ♪ ♪ I can't believe I let you go ♪ ♪ I can't believe I let you go ♪ ♪ I can't believe you're gone ♪ ♪ I can't believe you're gone ♪ ♪ I can't believe you're gone ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I know I'm hard to love ♪ ♪ I know I'm hard to love ♪ ♪ But I thought our love was stronger ♪ ♪ I heard what you said ♪ ♪ I heard what you said ♪ ♪ You said I could have treated you better ♪ ♪ But now I ♪ ♪ Now I know, now I know, now I know ♪ ♪ True love doesn't always last forever ♪ ♪ You see ♪ ♪ You left with my smile ♪ ♪ You left with my smile ♪ ♪ And for a while I thought that you would bring it back to me ♪ ♪ You left with my smile ♪ ♪ The only time I get to see you is in my dreams ♪ ♪ And I thought I had apologized ♪ ♪ I was wrong, I know ♪ ♪ Then you up and you went away ♪ ♪ You left me here alone ♪ ♪ Oh, I guess I gotta find you ♪ ♪ I gotta find you and bring you back home ♪ ♪ I'm not meant to do this on my own ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey, so ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Listen, the bigger the heart... ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ...the bigger the break ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I can't believe, can't believe, can't believe ♪ ♪ That I'm your biggest mistake ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You see, I ♪ ♪ I don't know if I can give you up ♪ ♪ I don't know if I can give you up ♪ ♪ I don't know how I'm gonna make it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I just believe you're gonna come home to me ♪ ♪ You can't go around and just take it ♪ ♪ Well, you left ♪ ♪ You left with my smile ♪ ♪ And for a while I thought that you would bring it back to me ♪ ♪ No, you left ♪ ♪ You left with my smile ♪ ♪ You left with my smile ♪ ♪ The only time I get to see it is in my dreams ♪ ♪ The only time I get to see it is in my dreams ♪ ♪ And I thought I had apologized ♪ ♪ And I thought I had apologized ♪ ♪ I was wrong, I know ♪ ♪ Then you up and you went away ♪ ♪ You left me here alone ♪ ♪ Well, I guess I gotta find you ♪ ♪ I gotta find you and bring you back home ♪ ♪ I'm not meant to do this on my own ♪ ♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Please forgive me and come on home ♪ ♪ I can't do this on my own ♪ ♪ Come on, now, hey!
♪ ♪♪ Oh!
♪♪ ♪♪ Yeah!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Hey!
♪♪ ♪ Hey!
♪ ♪♪ [ Music ends ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] One, two, three, oh!
[ "Build Me Up Buttercup" plays ] [ "Build Me Up Buttercup" plays ] ♪♪ I love this song.
♪♪ ♪ Why do you build me up, Buttercup, baby ♪ ♪ Just to let me down and mess me around?
♪ ♪ And then worst of all ♪ ♪ You never call, baby, when you say you will ♪ ♪ But I love you still ♪ ♪ I need you ♪ ♪ More than anyone, darling ♪ ♪ You know that I have from the start ♪ ♪ So build me up, Buttercup ♪ ♪ Don't break my heart ♪ ♪ Yes ♪ ♪ "I'll be over by 10:00," you told me time and again ♪ ♪ But you're late ♪ ♪ I wait around till then ♪ ♪ I went to the door ♪ ♪ I can't take any more ♪ ♪ It's not you ♪ ♪ You let me down again ♪ ♪ Baby, baby, try to find a little time ♪ ♪ Baby, baby, try to find a little time ♪ ♪ Baby, baby, try to find a little time ♪ ♪ And I'll make you mine, you see?
♪ ♪ I'll be home ♪ ♪ I'll be beside the phone, waiting for you ♪ ♪ I'll be beside the phone, waiting for you ♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ To you, I'm a toy ♪ ♪ But I could be the one you adore ♪ ♪ If you just let me know ♪ ♪ Although you're untrue ♪ ♪ I'm attracted to you all the more ♪ ♪ Why do I need you so?
♪ ♪ Why do I need you so?
♪ ♪ You see, baby, baby, try to find ♪ ♪ You see, baby, baby, try to find ♪ ♪ A little time, and I'll make you mine ♪ ♪ You'll see, I'll be home ♪ ♪ I'll be beside the phone, waiting for you ♪ ♪ I'll be beside the phone, waiting for you ♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ ♪ Why do you build me up, Buttercup, baby ♪ ♪ Why do you build me up, Buttercup, baby ♪ ♪ Just to let me down and mess me around?
♪ ♪ And then, worst of all, you see ♪ ♪ And then, worst of all, you see ♪ ♪ You never call, baby, when you say you will ♪ ♪ But I love you still ♪ ♪ You see, I need you ♪ ♪ More than anyone, darling ♪ ♪ You know that I have from the start ♪ ♪ You know that I have from the start ♪ ♪ So build me up, Buttercup ♪ ♪ Don't break my heart ♪ ♪ Come on!
♪ Thank you so much, everybody.
[ Cheers and applause ] Once again, my name is Davina.
[ Cheers and applause ] Once again, my name is Davina.
These are The Vagabonds.
Becca Lozier on trumpet.
Becca Lozier on trumpet.
Matthew Hanzelka on trombone.
Matthew Hanzelka on trombone.
Kale Winship on drums.
Christopher Barthol on upright bass.
Thank you so much.
We had such an amazing time.
I hope you did.
Please have a wonderful evening.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I need you ♪ ♪ More than anyone, darling ♪ ♪ You know that I have ♪ ♪ From the start ♪ ♪ So build me up, Buttercup ♪ ♪ Don't break my heart ♪ ♪ Oh, why do you build me up, Buttercup, baby ♪ ♪ Just to let me down and mess me around?
♪ ♪ And then, worst of all ♪ ♪ You never call, baby ♪ ♪ When you say you will ♪ ♪ But I love you still ♪ ♪ I need you ♪ ♪ More than anyone, darling ♪ ♪ You know that I have from the start ♪ ♪ So build me up, Buttercup ♪ ♪ Don't break my heart ♪ ♪ Don't break my heart ♪ ♪♪ Davis: "Studio 3 LIVE" is also available as a podcast.
Get it wherever you get your podcasts.
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