Artist to Watch: David Ford

So I was all excited, thinking I was going to get to invent myself a word today, when I came to find out that the word in question was, in fact, already a word.  How much of a complete bummer is that?  Yeah, I agree.  The word I got all worked up over is "looper."  It always skips my mind that things like sewing machines and other various looping things exist, thus forming a need for this type of word before the musically-inclined have need of it.  The first definition I found of "looper" could probably suffice:

1) a person or thing that loops something or forms loops.

But since I'm somewhat bored (and already went to all the trouble of writing out the rest of a definition) I shall finish it out as it pertains to music.  So:

2) an artist who, after playing a series of notes or chords, records the resulting sound (usually through a series of pedals) and replays or "loops" that sound to form his/her own background music. 
3) see also: Joseph Arthur, Howie Day, and...

David Ford.

See how awesome that definition thing could've been?!  Stupendously awesome!  Sewing machines, I curse you!  (Not really though, I'm actually a fan of your work).

Anyway, on to the point at hand, David Ford and his outstanding looping abilities.  They really are outstanding, and I have video proof to demonstrate that fact, but all in good time.  Mr. Ford is different from his looping brothers in the sheer number of instruments used in a show and song, and he loops them all: guitar, vocals, drums, bass, upright bass, piano, banjo and even accordion.  Basically this allows him to be a one-man show; he plays all the instruments and does all the singing.

For those of you who follow this blog with stalker-like interest, you may remember that I'm not a huge fan of the YouTube or the posting of the YouTube videos.  Yet here I am again, postin' up another one of 'em, sigh.  However, this one, like the last, would be well worth the price of admission if one was charged.  At the very least, hit play as you continue to read, trust me it's worth it.

If you think anything at all like me, you probably saw the start of that video and thought, "aww, how quaint/cute he's making music with kitchen appliances, but I'm not sticking around for 6 minutes of this."  Give it 'til at least the minute and a half mark, it gets real good from that point on.  Or, if you prefer a video with more instruments from the get go, I highly recommend checking out the one-take State of the Union.  Tre magnific (and very good, too).

As if his awesome looping effects weren't enough, David Ford's got a great voice and pretty excellent lyrics to boot.  I'm a big fan of some of the lines from State of the Union: "Foot down for the alienation / look on as your love, it gets lost in translation," really speaks to me, as does, "There are smiles as they erode and corrupt you / of the great expectations you could never live up to."  Good stuff.  You should do yourself a favor and go catch a David Ford show if he comes anywhere in your general vicinity.  I missed him about a month and a half ago in Salt Lake City, hopefully he comes back sooner rather than later.

[mp3] Decimate

[mp3] State of the Union

Buy some David Ford: Amazon | iTunes
Visit him online: Official | Myspace