From enjoying digital anonymity to seizing international opportunities and receiving superstar recognition, alternative-pop artist d4vd, who was born in Queens and raised in Houston, immerses himself in the audiovisual and philosophical realms that define his eagerly awaited debut album, 'WITHERED.'
Stream: 'WITHERED' – d4vd
Chance encounters and serendipity play a significant role in life; for d4vd, however, it was more about understanding that words, intention, and mindset hold the capacity to alter reality in an instant. WITHERED, the debut album of the now-20-year-old artist, offers a glimpse into his journey as he uncovers strength in vulnerability and examines personal development through his artistic identity. The album's sound blends bedroom pop with ’90s rock and indie influences, as he veers away from the superficial to express the deeply personal in what he now confidently claims as "fully and unadulteratedly" his work.
Born David Anthony Burke, d4vd never envisioned himself as a musical artist during his early career, let alone collaborating with some of the most legendary musicians, video games, and programs of the decade before even entering his twenties. What began as a simple method to evade copyright issues on Fortnite montages led to a rapid rise within the Zoomer demographic, transforming his music from a casual hobby into a meaningful and impactful passion project.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of comics, films, video games, and soundtracks, it’s clear that d4vd's music cultivates a cinematic universe in its own right. With characters and subplots propelling musical themes and recounting personal narratives — particularly the image of a wilting rose — the artist takes great pride in the way he constructs his world, sonically, visually, and symbolically.
“I feel like my music can be seen as me talking to someone, or me engaging with myself,” d4vd shares about embodying his fictional personas. “It’s a love-hate relationship with the different mindsets I experience, how my thoughts fluctuate, and my personality evolution. It’s about outgrowing certain things and approaching situations from a new perspective.”
Themes of maturity and reality frequently arise in our discussion — they intertwine and can be difficult to navigate, but they are aspects of life we ultimately confront and accept. For d4vd, maturity manifested through experiences of love gained, lost, and rediscovered. WITHERED traverses the highs and lows of various interpersonal relationships, and d4vd reflects on the lessons learned from his lived experiences.
“When you think of love, it's full of ups and downs. It’s never a straight, flat line. If it were entirely level, it would mean you're dead,” he mimics a zigzag with his arms. “There have to be fluctuations. There’s gotta be life. It should include instances where you feel like it's over, followed by moments where it reignites. I want the album to encapsulate that feeling, especially when it culminates in ‘Afterlife.’ It serves as a send-off for me rather than for the actual relationship or lover — whatever label you prefer. It marks the conclusion of a chapter.”
Through it all, d4vd has come to realize that there isn’t much distinction between his reality and his fictional creations. Many artists today distance themselves from the social media realm to maintain artistic authenticity. There is often an inexpressible sense of shame that accompanies achieving online virality, particularly in the context of TikTok, but this doesn't apply to him. By day, he’s a gamer-streamer, and by night, he’s a multi-billion streaming musician, confidently embracing every label. Being perceived superficially doesn’t matter much, as it ultimately comes down to the music.
“At this point, I welcome the impostor. I AM the impostor! Like in Among Us, you know what I mean?” he laughs, brushing off the heaviness of impostor syndrome. “I’m a TikTok artist. I’m an Instagram artist. I’m a Fortnite artist. Whatever label you want to give me based on the platform you found me on, I’m fine with it... I prefer to communicate through my music. I don’t mind what title you assign me as long as the music resonates.”
I had the chance to chat with d4vd an hour before his canceled facial appointment to discuss WITHERED in late-March; we explored the emotional rollercoaster of his first heartbreak, shared newfound insights, and delved into the complexities of his fictional universe. Here, d4vd bridges the gap between the human experience and the world of fantasy in conversation with Atwood Magazine.
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:: Stream/Purchase WITHERED here ::
:: Connect with d4vd here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH D4VD
ATWOOD MAGAZINE: WE'RE A MONTH AWAY FROM THE RELEASE DATE OF WITHERED. WHILE THAT MAY
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From enjoying digital anonymity to achieving international recognition and superstar status, d4vd, an alternative-pop artist born in Queens and raised in Houston, explores the audiovisual and philosophical landscape that shapes his long-anticipated debut album, ‘WITHERED.’