Dave Hawkins: 2024, 3 kids, 5 singles
Hi everyone,
As 2025 begins, I want to thank you for being part of my music making in 2024! Your support has meant the world to me, and I’m grateful for every stream, comment, share, and purchase.
As a parent with a full-time job, pursuing any personal hobby often feels impossible. Just keeping up with the daily grind leaves me completely drained once the kids are in bed, an easy minion to the screen.. But I’ve found a few things really helped me keep up momentum with my passion project.
Early Mornings: Singlehandedly - this change has kept music in my life. Going to bed early and waking up around 5AM reserved precious time before my kids wake up (around 6–6:30) and the chaos begins.
Bike Rides and walks: The ease and pace of riding a bike frees up the mind for creative thought. A significant portion of my song ideas, lyrics, and production concepts came to me while on two wheels carting the kids to and from daycares.
Accessible Creativity: I have a piano in our “playroom”, giving me the chance to work up and refine ideas while hanging out with my kids. Combined with the next point, many song arrangements are finalized amidst toy car races and tumbling lego towers.
Capturing Ideas: I’ve forgotten more than I’ve written. Apps like Tape It ensure no idea is lost. When inspiration strikes, I might only have five minutes before breaking up a fight, checking dinner, or changing a diaper. Recording drafts vigilantly has been a lifesaver.
Outsourcing & Collaboration: I stayed focused on what I love most and do best (writing, recording, producing) by delegating some of rest (animation, mixing, session players). These collaborations have been a highlight for me, feeling more like partnerships than transactions.
Despite EVERYTHING going on this year, I managed to accomplish several milestones that I’m proud of:
Released 5 singles including “Santa Fe”, which became my most streamed song ever!
Sold $61 of my music this year! Knowing that people value my work enough to spend money on it is deeply validating. I appreciate y’all so, so much for going beyond streaming, you’re amazing.
Released a free VST instrument Using samples of my Grandpa’s Steinway, I built a virtual instrument to preserve its unique sound. It’s been downloaded nearly 2,000 times! Check it out here: Grandpa's Piano.
Mixed an EP for Doe Denim. Doe reached out via a Craigslist ad I posted. After mixing his first song, he asked me to handle the entire EP. It was a blast working with a fellow local musician. Check it out here: Where did the Lightning Bugs Go?
Started Threads Release Radar The threads music community has been a huge part of my life and this year I wrote a script that automatically aggregates new releases from musicians on the platform. It’s been a fun way to stay up-to-date on everybody’s work.
Two video covers on YouTube Both Raffi (two daves version) & Sir Elton John (animated version) got some love on my youtube channel this year.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’ve got a couple of singles coming out early in the year, and I’m excited to record and release my first cohesive EP.
Thank you for being on this journey with me.
Wishing you a joyful and music-filled New Year!
Dave
P.S. Tomorrow I embark on a 1,250 mile drive back to Colorado. Maybe take a belated listen to my Christmas song for good luck 😉✌🏻
