Dovydas Maščinskas (born September 5, 1992), better known as Døvydas (or DOVYDAS aka; Revelstar Stellonaut, and previously known as David Smash), is a Lithuanian-born musician, composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and content creator. He was born and raised in Lithuania, and moved to the United States in 2012. He 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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Døvydas Maščinskas |
| Born | September 5, 1992 Kaunas, Lithuania |
| Genres | Americana, blues, rock and roll, world music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, Content Creator |
| Instrument(s) | 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. |
| Website | www |
Døvydas has headlined major music festivals in Lithuania and Poland; "Visagino Country 2010", "Bliuzo Naktys 2010", "Wegorzewo 2011", and "Most Rockowy 2010". The Dovydas Band competed at the International Blues Challenge 2016, and made it to the semi-finals, something not achieved before by any Lithuanian-born person.[citation needed] While at the International Blues Challenge he jammed with many musicians including the mountain dulcimer player Bing Futch.[6] Additionally, Døvydas is a content creator with over 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube.
Early life
editDovydas 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.[citation needed]
Career
editDøvydas 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."[7]
During school he formed his first band, "David Smash and the Smash Band", which was later shortened to simply "David Smash Band".[citation needed] The group began playing local competitions and festivals and after their appearances on national television, they received invitations to headline major music festivals in Lithuania and Poland.[citation needed] He linked up with local blues musician Steve Arvey and moved to Florida at the age of 19. In his first two years in Sarasota, Døvydas 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, Døvydas has released two CDs in the United States, one of them titled State Of Sunshine.[8][9]
In August 2017, he uploaded a video from one of his performances, in which someone requests a song by Steve Vai.[10] This video went viral and has accumulated 10 million views. Døvydas has credited this video with having launched his career as a content creator.
Døvydas has performed in many locations around Florida, most notably including St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, filming many of his performances and posting them on YouTube - where he has gained over 1.6 Million subscribers.[11] One of his most popular videos is Tennessee Whiskey sang by Vere Hill. [12]
In October 2022, Døvydas moved to Los Angeles, California.[13]
Musical influences
editDøvydas 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 and 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.[14]
Instruments
editDøvydas is a multi-instrumentalist and can play a variety of instruments such as guitar, piano, drums, bass, harmonica, and xylophone. He utilizes a Boss RC505 Tabletop Loop Station in many of his solo performances, enabling him to create "live looped" songs with the various instruments that he plays. Many guitar brands such as C. F. Martin & Company, Gibson Brands, and Fender have sent him guitars to unbox and review.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b "Lietuvos talentai – Dovydas Maščinskas – 2009-12-06 pusfinalis". YouTube. December 6, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "David Smash (Dovydas Mascinskas) at the age of 17". Youtube.com. March 10, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Atlikėjas Dovydas Maščinskas "Dirty Avenue" | Eurovizijos dainų konkurso pirmasis turas". Youtube.com. February 6, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Lietuvos rokas, Mindaugas Peleckis: Knyga [9785417010309]". Knygos.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Lietuvos roko istorija | SŪRU". Suru.lt. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Bing Futch, Joe Bruno, David Smash @ IBC 2016 MEMPHIS". Youtube.com. January 31, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ David, Beaton (January 18, 2016). "David Smash Send Off Celebration". The Sarasota Post. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ Tatangelo, Wade. "David Smash CD release party at Fogartyville in Sarasota". Ticket.heraldtribune.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ "David Smash- New CD, State of Sunshine". Sarasotapost.com. May 27, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ When Someone Requests A Steve Vai Song. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "DØVYDAS - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Street Artist Invites Man to Sing "Tennessee Whiskey" and he Completely Steals the Show". March 28, 2022.
- ^ I'm Moving to California. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Geurts, Jimmy (September 25, 2017). "Sarasota musician David Smash's Steve Vai cover goes viral". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Bradenton. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "They Sent Me Free Guitars Because I Make YouTube Videos - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.