Døvydas

Døvydas (David Smash) Maščinskas
Background information
Birth name Dovydas Maščinskas
Born (1992-09-05) September 5, 1992
Kaunas, Lithuania
Genres Americana, blues, rock and roll, world music
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, Producer
Instruments electric guitar (Schecter Banshee Elite 7S), cigar box guitar (MGBguitars), drums, bass, harmonica, piano, xylophone
Years active 2008—present
Labels Howling Dog Studios; Studio G.
Associated acts Bing Futch, Steve Arvey, Holly Williams, Chris Canas, Jess Taylor.
Website www.youtube.com/dovydasmusic

Døvydas (or DOVYDAS aka; Revelstar Stellonaut, and previously known as David Smash) (born September 1992) is a Lithuanian-born musician, composer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Døvydas forged a successful career as an innovative soloist. He was born and raised in Lithuania, and moved to the United States in 2012. Døvydas has appeared on national television in Lithuania, such as; "Lithuania's Got Talent 2009",[1] "Ring of Young Talents 2010",[1][2] "Lithuania's Pick for Eurovision 2011",[3] and he was also featured in a book about Lithuanian rock music titled "Lietuvos Roko Istorija"[4] - written by the national-award winning Lithuanian author Mindaugas Paleckis.[5]

Døvydas has headlined major music festivals in Lithuania and Poland; "Visagino Country 2010", "Bliuzo Naktys 2010", "Wegorzewo 2011", and "Most Rockowy 2010". The David Smash Band recently competed at the International Blues Challenge 2016, and made it to the semifinals, an accomplishment not achieved before by any Lithuanian-born person. While at the International Blues Challenge Døvydas jammed with many musicians including the mountain dulcimer player Bing Futch.[6]

Early life

Dovydas Maščinskas was born in Kaunas, the second largest city of Lithuania. His father is a painter and his mother stayed at home to raise him. Døvydas began playing guitar at the age 13, and after taking private lessons from older guitar-playing friends he enrolled at the Kaunas Children Music School. Later he studied classical guitar at Naujalis Music Gymnasium and in 2010 he transferred to Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Music Conservatory.

Career

Smash started playing guitar at the age of thirteen in Lithuania, learning the drums, bass, piano, xylophone and harmonica shortly after. He was heavily inspired by a blues CD that his father bought in Germany, entitled "Blues Giants Vol. 2", a compilation of blues songs from artist such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, BB King, Etta James, and Memphis Slim. Døvydas says, "It was magic. That CD with those songs was like having an invitation letter to Hogwarts. Not only the music was captivating and enchanting, they were singing in this amazing language, and they lived in this distant part of the world that I've only seen on television."

During school he formed his first band, "David Smash and the Smash Band", which was later shortened to simply "David Smash Band". The group began playing local competitions and festivals and after Smash's appearances on national television, they received invitations to headline major music festivals in Lithuania and Poland. He linked up with local Blues musician Steve Arvey and moved to Florida at the age of 19. In his two years in Sarasota, Smash has expanded his musical repertoire and integrated himself into the local music scene. After signing a contract with the Del Couch Music Education Foundation and Howling Dog Studios, Smash has released two CDs in United States, one of them titled State Of Sunshine.[7][8]

Musical influences

Døvydas was influenced by American music recordings owned by his parents. Among his most notable influences he lists Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin. Døvydas references Steve Vai as one of his favorite guitarists. Døvydas' impromptu rendition of the song "Tender Surrender" by Vai gained him significant success within the Youtube community and viewership has steadily increased since that time.

Coming to America

After graduating high school Døvydas was planning on moving and taking his music beyond Lithuania. He had Germany and United Kingdom in mind. One night a blues musician from the United States came across Døvydas' Lithuania's Got Talent performance video and reached out to him on Facebook. Steve and Døvydas began communicating via email and soon enough Døvydas came to the United States.

References

  1. 1 2 "Lietuvos talentai - Dovydas Maščinskas - 2009-12-06 pusfinalis". 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  2. ↑ "David Smash (Dovydas Mascinskas) at the age of 17". Youtube.com. 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  3. ↑ "Atlikėjas Dovydas Maščinskas "Dirty Avenue" | Eurovizijos dainų konkurso pirmasis turas". Youtube.com. 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  4. ↑ "Lietuvos rokas, Mindaugas Peleckis: Knyga [9785417010309]". Knygos.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  5. ↑ "Lietuvos roko istorija | SŪRU". Suru.lt. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  6. ↑ "Bing Futch, Joe Bruno, David Smash @ IBC 2016 MEMPHIS". Youtube.com. 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  7. ↑ Tatangelo, Wade. "David Smash CD release party at Fogartyville in Sarasota". Ticket.heraldtribune.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  8. ↑ "David Smash- New CD, State of Sunshine". Sarasotapost.com. 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
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