Billy Davis talks about collaborating with Nadine Lustre, James Reid, other PH artists

From left: Massiah, Nadine Lustre, Davis and Curtismith

Over the past couple of years, Billy Davis has managed to work his way into becoming a familiar voice on the R&B-urban scene and the festival circuit in Australia.

His material has also caught the attention of some of the hottest hip-hop artists and producers in the United States today: He has worked with GoldLink and Brockhampton, and shared the stage with the likes of Anderson Paak, Noname and Blackalicious, to name a few.

But despite already having the platform to pursue an international career, the Filipino-Australian producer still makes it a point to immerse himself on the Philippine music scene and collaborate with local music artists.

“I’m half Filipino and half Irish-Australian. My father passed away when I was 3. I was raised by my Filipino mother, who would always remind me of my Filipino heritage,” he told the Inquirer in an e-mail interview arranged by Sony Music Philippines.

“When my music started doing well, Mama would often tell me that I need to go home and help bring that international sound to our people. But I sort of ignored it,” he recalled.

“Sadly, three months ago, my Mama passed away due to terrible circumstances. I still can’t come to grips with it. Every wish of hers I wasn’t able to fulfill, I have been working on. And number one on that list is to help uplift Filipino artists. Filipinos are so damn talented,” pointed out Billy, who flies to Manila every so often for projects.

So far, he has produced music with and for Billy Crawford, Curtismith, Sam Concepcion, Kiana Valenciano, CRWN, Ylona Garcia, Massiah and, most recently, James Reid and Nadine Lustre (who’s part of the remix of his new single, “Headspace”).

“She’s already so talented but still has crazy potential,” Billy said of Nadine. “I have encouraged and pushed her to go even further with her music.”

James, on the other hand, comes across as someone Billy has already known all his life, from the moment they met. “Despite all the success he has had, people still don’t realize how much more talented this guy is,” he said.

How was it working with Nadine on the remix of “Headspace”? Her direction, what she wants to do music-wise is super dope. Taste is something you can’t teach—it’s something you need to find yourself. And Nadine has that.

I produced a song for her that’s coming out soon. Like the “Headspace” remix, it’s going to show another side of her ability and talent that people haven’t heard before. I’m super excited.

Billy Davis

The song touches on mental health.

Last November or December, I sort of had a minimeltdown. The expectations and the pressure that come with performing and perfecting music took its toll. I told my band and manager I was taking a step back to reassess everything. I think this is necessary for … [those] chasing their dreams and wanting to do it right.

You have also been collaborating with James Reid and his label Careless Music Manila. The guy has crazy ears—he can hear things most people can’t, music-wise. Being in the studio with him was super dope. It was awesome seeing him in an element where he has complete freedom to create whatever he wanted.

We got a bunch of music coming out, and also will be working together for his upcoming music project.

How do you choose the vocalists you collaborate with? I grew up in church, playing piano behind preachers or worship leaders. My ears have been trained to always follow vocals and harmonization. When I hear a voice, I try to remove all the instruments and zero in on it, like it’s an instrument itself.

Anyone in particular you would like to work with? There are so many artists out here. But I’m going to use this opportunity to pressure my good friend, Donny Pangilinan.
When I first met him in Australia, he told me he just did acting and modeling. But when I spent time with him in the Philippines recently, things had changed. He showed me a super dope demo of him doing music.

He could do music and kill it. Donny, if you’re reading, bro, I’m waiting. Let’s do this! Moira is super dope and Daniel Padilla has a soul-like tone, like a Filipino Leon Bridges.

You talk a great deal about your family in your album “Family Portrait.” How did your Filipino heritage shape your music? My mama got me into gospel music and piano at a young age. When my father died, my uncle introduced me to records from the 1980s—Abba, The Doobie Brothers, Boney M, Michael Jackson. Same with my Filipino family from San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

Everyone is super musical, so from a young age, the pressure of the whole family being musical was put on me.
My Mama’s hard work also reflected on my music. Her unwillingness to give up made me think I should never give up and keep striving. Whatever the cost.