New York-based singer/songwriter, David Sosa, album Journey To Love, is captivating where it captures the joys of love, but then takes the listener to heartache in “Complicated,” a duet with Ramona Montanez.
You have been singing since a young age. Tell us about some of your influences.
I grew up listening to the old school and new school The Ojays, Harold Melvin & the blue notes, Teena Marie, Luther Vandross, Rufus, Labelle and still listened to Envogue, Shai, HTown, and Mint Condition.
My best friend’s grandfather used to play Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday in his home and I would just take that all in.
Through vocal training I would listen to Opera Caro Mio Ben, Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen, and Didos Lament (when I am laid on earth). These genres all made me who I am as an artist.
Some of your influences stemmed from 90’s R & B and soul music of the 60’s and 80’s. Who do you admire? Have they influenced your recent album, Journey to Love?
All of them! I have specific artists I paid homage to like Elton John, Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Natalie Cole. It was important to give those that paved the way to me a nod of appreciation. Currently love Lucky Daye and even Lianna Lahavas, Alex Isley, Snoh Aalegra, and many more.. helping inspire me in ways I haven’t been in a while.
FMM: Journey to Love has been a success. Take us through the process to develop this album.
I wrote most of these songs over 10 years ago. I was in a tumultuous relationship and I realized I stood for 5 years too long. I wasn’t happy but I was afraid of being alone and I didn’t know what love was. My idea of a partner willing to invest in me and be with me, had other conditions I never thought about. I realized I lost myself and gave my power away to someone else. I learned I had to choose me, love me and from there I could then understand what it is I wanted and needed from a partner. This album was about that journey and the revelations therein.
Do you have a favorite song?
Complicated featuring Ramona Montañez. We co-wrote it together and we blend so well vocally. Ramona is one of the most amazing Alto voices of this time whom I’ve known for years and we are great friends. But the song is so true to the process of finding love. Sometimes it really is complicated and not what you think it would or should be. But does it have to be, complicated? When two people can express what it is they want from each other and choose to operate from that place… love don’t need to be so complicated.
What do you enjoy most about songwriting?
It is the process of creation. That’s the portion of ourself that coincides with The Divine. I get to create art and it not only ministers to me but to others and allows me a chance to recognize our connectivity as living beings. Music is so powerful and I am honored to be a creator of it and participant in the art of. It’s really an intimate and beautiful moment when melody and your hearts words our given form and then life.
Share your projects for 2021.
I’m working currently with steady grind music publishing and have been writing like crazy. I plan on collaborating with Ben Tyree who was a featured Guitarist/ artist on my song Goodbye. I want to work on some guitar heavy R&B with a contemporary feel. Similar to Tweet and India Arie.
