DejaVilla is a reflection of Jamaican culture. Made up of electronic beat-maker David Marston and dancehall vocalist Sarah Couch, DejaVilla blends contemporary dance music with riddim-tinged R&B. Although the tandem is currently collaborating long-distance from Kingston to London, distance is no rival against their poignant artistic alignment. Following their singles “Chocolate in Your Pocket” and “In The Morning” featuring Shanique Marie, and a series of critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Lyrical Lemonade, Sheesh Media, C-Heads Magazine, and more, DejaVilla delivers “Castle With a View.” An upbeat dance-inducing cut, this sexy number is the title track to their highly anticipated debut album Castle With a View.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
David: Sarah and I actually went to the same high school in Kingston but we were not not really close at that time. We re-connected when a mutual friend, Kat C.H.R, asked Sarah to do some guest-writing and singing on a collaborative song. Sarah and I had an instant musical chemistry and we started working on more songs together. Soon enough, we decided to create the DejaVilla project together.
Sarah: And then a couple years of sending riddims and vocals back and forth between NYC/ UK and Jamaica… we will release the album early next year. David and I are polar opposites personality wise but his steadfast approach balances my flighty nature
What is the favorite song you wrote and why?
David: I love all the songs on this record, but I think my favourite is “In The Morning”, the album’s third single that we released earlier this year. It’s a song that I have been working on for many years, and I could not be happier with the end result that we put out.
Sarah: I had fun writing all the songs on this project. David’s beats really inspire me to be different. There’s always a little funky element that David’s guitar adds to the tracks that just make them overall fun to write to. I feel freedom to be a little quirky and a little funny in my writing. David has never tried to hinder that and I appreciate it. I really love the song “deal with it” because it’s a little more reggae than the others and I don’t do reggae tunes too often.
Who are your all time musical icons?
David: Some significant musical icons for me are:
- Cat Coore of Third World
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- FourTet
Sarah: I think all the Icons and Greats have inspired me at some time or another . Hard to make that list. I’m afraid to leave someone out.
What are some things to do to keep your inspiration alive?
David: I often find myself feeling inspired when I listen to music when I listen to music that speaks to my emotions. It could be a song or album I have heard many times before or a completely new musical discovery, but sometimes you listen to music differently based on your circumstances at a certain point in time.
Sarah: Just live, I find inspiration in the smallest interactions. Upside of being overly emotional maybe?
Who are you binge listening to these days?
David: Vince Staples’ eponymous album is super dope. I listened to that a lot. Also, Cleo Sol’s album “Mother” – wow!
Sarah:Yebba, Mereba Giveon and Cleo Sol too!
Favorite movie or TV show?
David: Peep Show
Sarah: I think the TV mostly watches me.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
David: The latest release was inspired by garage music and an old song that Sarah had written back in the day. I made this uptempo riddim specifically for that song so that we could perform it at a party that we were playing in Brooklyn. Eventually, Sarah ended up writing a totally new song to the beat, and that song became “Castle With A View”.
Sarah: I didn’t even remember that riddim was for something else because the castle with a view melody came to me immediately and the other plan was quickly squashed lol. Castle with a view is about being fun and flirty and simply getting upset when I don’t get my way!
Do you have any peculiar pre or post show rituals?
David: For better or worse, I don’t have any particular pre or post show rituals. Boring!
Sarah: I try to eat healthy, lots of water, no wheat, no dairy. I smoke a big spliff though! Before and after lol
What’s the future looking like for you?
David: I wish I could say what the future looked like! Right now, the main focus is getting this album out the door and sharing the music we made with the world.
Sarah: I don’t know this pandemic has the future looking shaky. One day at a time is the motto
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
David: Umm…
Sarah:
I’m answering for David – he likes cool t shirts and things his girlfriend buys him (she’s in fashion so it’s good) and jeans. Hahahaha
I like to dress based on my mood , somewhere between bohemian and chola on a spectrum
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
David: One of the greatest moments in my career was when I recorded with the legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry at Red Bull Studios in NYC. Perry sadly passed away recently, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a monumental musical icon. His vocals are featured on DejaVilla’s “Suit A Rebel”.
Sarah: I don’t think I have achieved what I want yet , it’s just the beginning.
What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?
David: I think it’s important to go above and beyond in terms of dedication to the craft, while also taking a versatile and multifaceted approach to one’s career.
Sarah: Being true to yourself , I think we are in a time where you don’t necessarily have to fit the mold anymore. People are appreciating authenticity. Real bodies and real emotions.
What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?
David: I think there has been a shift in the music industry to focus too heavily on numbers and metrics. I understand the importance of data and analytics in today’s world, but sometimes, an extreme emphasis on metrics can cause us to miss out on a lot of magical talent who many don’t have the numerical buzz. I guess it is useful to take a data driven-approach but in terms of cultivating talent and nurturing a healthy and progressive musical ecosystem, it is important to listen first and foremost with our ears.
Furthermore, I think it is important to recognize and acknowledge the fact that streaming services don’t pay artists fairly for their creative labor. I think we artists, music lovers and consumers can and should organize in a robust manner to help to create a more sustainable framework for artists. This could mean boycotting existing exploitative platforms and sacrificing some consumer convenience in order to fuel the creation of fairer and beneficial models for musicians and music communities.
Sarah: That it is more performance driven than talent driven. It’s harder for the artists who are more reserved, introverted and are driven by wanting to create rather than wanted to be famous
