David Coal Graham - The Truthful Sessions | Music Videos & Working With Zach Bryan | Rugged Revival

What's going on everyone? We're back with another episode and uh here we are with my friend David Graeme Cole. How are we doing mate? >> Good. How about you? >> Yeah, all good. What's the uh weather like where you are currently? >> Uh it's nice. It's kind of cooling down. I'm out here near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. So, I like the heat, but uh yeah, it's cooling down a little bit. >> Judging by your jacket, I think you're right. We keep it we keep it cold in the house though. That's one thing for sure. >> Yeah. As uh we had some American friends visit recently when we had a bit of a heat wave. We don't have AC in our houses. So uh you you have to kind of roar dog the heat when uh when it is really bad. >> Uh but yeah, it's going colder here. It's uh typical English weather. Raining and cold probably for the next uh you know, several months. But glad you're up on the on the podcast, mate. Um, it's been a long time coming. We've had a lot of conversations or probably just me kind of harassing you on on TikTok mainly, just asking you questions that enter my head as as you know tends to happen. So, I appreciate you you connecting with with me in the first place and kind of entertaining the questions I had and for, you know, coming on and having a deep dive, mate. >> Yeah. No, I appreciate uh the comments and reaching out. This is my first time uh getting on a podcast like this, so I'm excited for sure. exclusive. There we go. Awesome, man. So, I I'd like to start right at the beginning. So, in terms of who you are, what it is that you do, and a little bit about, you know, yourself growing up and and family life, you know, so would you mind kind of sharing a little bit about that, please? >> Yeah, I'm uh David Graham. Um I uh am known mainly as a videographer. I also make my own music under David Cole, and Cole is actually my middle name. So, C O A L. My mom was kind of a hippie. It's pretty uncommon. But yeah, I grew up in a big family. I got four older brothers, two older sisters, and uh grew up in South Carolina. Uh was really interested in video since a young age. I think my mom bought me a little camcorder. I think it might even been from the toy aisle. The the the screen on it was probably the size of a quarter. And uh I was just always into movies. Uh, Lord of the Rings was some of my favorite movies. I really liked, you know, the classics, Godfather, just I don't watch TV shows. People think I'm weird because of it, but I'll just watch I'll watch the same movie. I went on a I was in the Coast Guard and I went on a deployment once and I probably watched the first Godfather five times in a row and I was studying it just I just get really into movies. So, when I was young, I was the same way watching Braveheart. I remember crying to it. uh first movie I ever cried to on VHS. And uh so I started making videos with my friends and we were just so excited uh just to see ourselves on camera. It could be just lighting up fireworks or shooting basketball and just being so stoked just looking at ourselves on a on a computer after making put it out on YouTube. I've made countless YouTube channels, tried different things, uh channels I would never name so people could never find them. But uh yeah, I was just find them. >> Say what? >> We need to find those channels. >> I I could send you some exclusive links after. But uh yeah, um no one really in my family was into video, but I did grow up in a very uh artistic family. Like my father played guitar, sang in the church, and all my other brothers played guitar. Um yeah, just a lot of music. And having older siblings, I listen to, you know, a lot of the classics, you know what I mean? Nirvana and Bob Marley posters in the room. And I remember, you know, my brothers listening to Sublime and stuff like that when I was real young and by the time I got to high school, you know, they thought my generation just found Sublime and I was already burned out by that time. And I just I, you know, having older siblings, I realized it had a different impact on me. And so moving on to high school, I uh went to uh had a base school and then I went to this academy, the Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology. And I called it Hogwarts because we had a couple kids in there with caves. But uh my major was entertainment technology, which is basically film and video. And we literally had to study film and video from the uh earliest dates like before sound. And they would give us a thick packet and we'd have to uh basically like uh go through these movies and describe them, answer all these questions. It made it not enjoyable to watch movies. But uh and in that class, the cool thing was we had to create projects or write scripts. And my friends from my base school uh my base school was a little more uh diverse and uh so I would have my kind of more wild friends from my base school act in these videos and they were pretty crazy, but my class loved them. And I remember my class, they'd be they I'd literally get a standing ovation just on these ridiculous, you know, short films I made and my teacher would be shaking his head just like this was terrible. And I learned an important lesson, you know, as far as camera angles and all these other things and the technical side of things. It really only matters if it's entertaining. And that always stuck with me cuz the the people watching it, they didn't care if it was a good shot or any of that. They thought it was funny and it entertained them and they went back and shared it and watched, you know, watched it with their friends. So from there, I didn't like school. Uh so I didn't really want to go to college. And even at that age, it never made sense to me to go to college and get into debt for something I didn't know, you know, if I really wanted to do. Um but I played soccer. I that was my sport in high school and everything. And I told my and I was very, you know, blessed and privileged. My parents said like, "We won't pay for you to go to like, you know, four-year college, but you know, we'll pay for community college." college. I said, "I only want to go if I can play soccer." So, I ended up uh walking on at Katefair Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina. And uh and then I majored in film and video production there. And that was big, you know, teaching you big budget how like we had uh people that would work on Quint Tarantino films come in and tell us their stories. and one lady, you know, and I really realized like, oh, to work in this film industry, I might have to get someone coffee for four years before I'm even e even able to touch something with a camera or become a, you know, a certified grip. And that really disinterests me. And another thing was funny, uh, in Wilmington, North Carolina, they used to call it Willywood for film. And I guess something happened with tax incentives. So, right when I went there, all the film making went away in that town. And I remember I had a teacher once, my video teacher or my camera teacher. He said, "All right, guys. I'm going to be gone for a month." I got a gig. Like he found a gig. So then I realized like, "Oh, all my teachers just are just out of work." Which was not very inspiring. And then >> that's boring. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, uh, it, you know, made me not interested anymore and, uh, graduated, got associates degree, went back home, was working in a restaurant, you know, not making the best decisions. I was 20 20 to 21 at the time and I had an older brother who was in the Coast Guard uh the military and he kind of said, you know, what else do you have better going? You know, I was doing construction during the day and working at a restaurant at night and I decided, you know, I'll join the Coast Guard. And so, yeah, that was uh that was kind of like my childhood growing up until I joined the military and then I can go we can maybe go over some other stuff, but that's kind of the beginning of it all. >> Yeah. No, I appreciate you sharing, man. what an interesting kind of childhood you had and you know hearing about kind of what you got into into the video making it's um yeah it could be disheartening you know I I completely kind of hear what you're saying and it kind of almost resonates with the kind of independent music scene you know having to get in with the right crowd the right people the right label the right management just to perhaps get your song out there but now the world's changed with social media and you know technology at your hands and a lot of it's expensive. Some of it is, you know, as I'm finding out as I go along. >> Um, but yeah, there there's an outlet if you if you got a creative itch. I think there's certainly outlets to to kind of progress with that. And we'll we like you say, we'll touch upon other things as we we go on with the conversation. I suppose one thing, you know, that might determine the the rest of the conversation that we have is if you're a soccer fan, have you got a UK football team? Man, I always disappoint people because I I really don't watch sports. I I I enjoy I went to one um it was Ireland versus USA. That was the only uh soccer game I went to. I don't watch American football either. I just Okay. I just don't watch sports, you know. Of course, like you just like what your older brothers like and I I like Manchester and stuff, but I I don't know enough, you know what I mean? Well, Man United's my team, so uh we could be friends. We can carry on with this conversation, man. Just had to check. No, that's awesome, mate. And you know, I think you know, like you say, you're growing up to that point. How old are you now, David? >> I'm 28. I turned 29 in uh 4 days. >> You checking your diary just to see when you when your birthday. >> I have a bad memory. >> Oh man, it's you're in a great position. You're still young. you've got so much kind of that you're doing and so much going ahead. But let's talk about your your main gig now and what you're mainly known for, the truthful sessions. You know, I I I think I stumbled across this about a year or two ago. Um, and I was like, "Wow, this, you know, you obviously you've got the radio WV, Appalachia Untold, and some of these I I don't think it's a saturated market, not for the quality videos, but when your stuff that I I came across, it just took it to another level in terms of what you're doing." And hearing your background, I can see why that is now. But rather than me kind of explain badly what the truthful sessions is, do you want to kind of uh tell people in your own words, you know, the background to that, the history to it? >> Yeah. So, uh, before I joined the military, uh, I was living with my sister and my two nephews, and I used to, I discovered a channel called Gyms on VHS, and they had a more so folk artist, uh, artists like Lost Dog Street Band, Casper Allen, and, uh, it's run by Anthony Simpkins. Uh, and I was just listening to that on a repeat on repeat. And uh, you know, artists like Coulter Wall and I just I really liked it, the video aspect and just the music mainly. And then uh, so I was really inspired by that. And when I joined the military, they gave me a $2,000 signing bonus and I bought a camera with that and I got stationed in New Orleans. And I just think it, you know, as a believer, I think it was a God thing because when I was I was stationed at a very peculiar unit and I had one other person I worked with who I was 21, he was 18, I think, at the time, Tanner Redmond. And we're working in a buoyard driving forklifts, uh, driving trucks and stuff and equipment. And I kept watching these videos still and I was like, man, I think I could do this, you know, but I was scared. like I didn't have confidence. I wouldn't just reach out to a random artist. But then Tanner Redmond just so happened to be extremely talented, like book smart, talented when it comes to music. Knew how to like read music and write even um classical music. Just oddly talented with music for an 18-year-old, 19-year-old. And I just thought like I'll just film him. I got nothing to lose. If it sucks, like who cares? Like you know what I mean? It's just I'll start a new YouTube channel. And it just happened. you know, stars aligned and we filmed it in his backyard. Uh, longforgotten road or longforgotten list. There's a debate about what the song name is and I didn't have a channel name and his roommate who's also in the military. I was like, it's got to be something sessions and he's like, it's got to be something like honest and he's like truthful. So, he helped us make the name and it just kind of all happened naturally. We put that video out on a brand new channel and as I'm sure you know like it it can be random, you know, like you can't expect your first video on a channel with zero subscribers to really do anything, but it organically got a couple thousand views. The commanding officer of the base we worked at found it. He said like he loved it. He wanted Tanner to perform on a Coast Guard day which he declined. it just organically got a couple thousand views and that that boosted my confidence and uh again I had no idea what I was doing when it comes to like shooting sessions. So, and from there it just kind of hit me. It's like I'm in New Orleans, a major hub where artists come through on tour or for whatever or just live there. And so I started reaching out to people, reaching out to people at the time, Casper Allen, who I was a big fan of, lived in New Orleans. So that happened organically. Um, and then of course, uh, one of my most well-known sessions, Zach Bryan, uh, that that happened, opened a lot of doors for me, which we can go more into detail about that, but you know, I'm not going to sit here and say it was some big like I want to do this or I had some big picture or like um, moral reason to shoot these sessions a certain way or anything. I just really just want to record good music. Um, it all comes down to what I like and I take it as a compliment because when people are like, "Man, like you just put out consistently good music on the channel and I just put out what I like." Honestly, I've I don't think I've ever put out a song where it's like, "Ah, I don't I don't like this song, but this artist is blowing up." It's never been the case. I've turned down artist. Uh, whether it be because I don't like the music or the messaging in the music, even if they are bigger artists. I just I guess that is one way where I keep it truthful, but I don't I don't try to like overplay that, you know what I mean? >> No, I love that, mate. And that's exactly the same ethos at the Rugged Revival is that, you know, the the music, the people that that you're kind of seeing on the podcast or our own sessions, um, we're fans of, we're genuinely fans of, and nine times out of 10, we've we've reached out to them directly. Um, >> yeah, >> and it's been, you know, it's been an excellent process to do that because like you say, it keeps it keeps it authentic. The moment, um, we start getting pitched by agents. Um, and you've probably had a lot of people reach out to you in that way, agents of artists or or, you know, labels and stuff like that. Um, I lose interest pretty quickly. Um, and it's nothing against those guys. It's just, you know, I prefer a method of reaching out to people. There's a plethora of people that we can go to. Um, but sometimes, you know, there there are the odd people that reach out directly and you think, "That's great. I had a band reach out to me recently said, "Would you mind giving our EP a listen?" I said, "Yeah, sure thing." You know, I'll always, you know, if I got the time, sit down. You you you've made the effort to contact me. I will sit and listen to that. And I think that's actually one of the best albums I've heard, you know, for months. And I think that's that's awesome. I love to find people like that. Um, superb though, mate. It's um so yeah, talk us about you know some of the artists you've had on. It's great to hear like you know how that started and how it sort of organically grew you know with the obviously people love to hear about Zack Bryan. He's his name is in the headlines a lot recently with all this nonsense with whoever the other guy is. I forget his name. Um but how did that particular video uh and connection come about? Um, strangely enough, it happened like most other people I connect with through social media at that time. Um, I think it was about six years ago now. He was uh really kind of blowing up on Twitter, I believe. And I was in a work truck, you know, and uh while I was still in the Coast Guard and I discovered it, listened to I was like, "Man, this guy's really great." And so I reached out to him on Instagram and sure enough, he responded. We got on a phone call and um I was taking leave to go home for Christmas and I was in New Orleans and he was near Seattle and I was going back to South Carolina. So I went the opposite way, but I knew, you know, people didn't understand at that time. It was I think it's my third or fourth video on the channel and people didn't understand what I was doing. I I had a uh a family member be like, "What are you doing? Like why are you going out to Washington?" like they didn't understand like I was trying to like do something different, you know, like for YouTube and >> whatever else. And so yeah, he was very nice to me. Uh he got me an uh Airbnb for me and one of his friends and I spent a couple days out there, spent some time with him. Uh yeah, we hung out, recorded a couple songs. I think not a lot, not that they would know, but we recorded two sessions actually. One was for my channel, one was for his. But uh yeah, it was it was he was real nice. And I think the fact that at the at the time we were both still in the military. Uh I think for anybody in the military, it's a almost like an instant camaraderie, you know, um it's you're able to relate really quickly and it's it's kind of not too hard to get along with most people in that situation. But yeah, I met some of his family. It was a good time. You know, it was it was uh and then of course, you know, he's a lot uh bigger now. So it's just awesome. It's it's awesome to see. I'm very thankful for it cuz that I didn't know it at the time, but that session, that video opened up a lot of opportunities and it made people take me more serious, you know what I mean? Like they just see that like, "Oh yeah, I'm down to work." You know, at least at least the couple years right after that, for sure. >> Yeah. It's interesting because, you know, I I always go back to the beginning and, you know, I scroll through people's YouTubes and you can see the quality was there straight away, you know, regardless if it was Zach or somebody else. you know, the you you're so consistent with the quality of of stuff that you're putting out. Um, and it's hilarious. You touch upon, you know, family or friends wondering why you're going out to meet random artists and and they're like, "What are you doing?" I mean, my wife was the same. We went to Wales to to obviously film Cody Lee me and Joe Clark recently. And she's like, "So, you're going to meet two guys from America that you don't know at a lake in Wales to film them?" I was like, I know that sounds weird, but yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing, but you'll see the After Effects. >> That's funny you mentioned that because at the time I didn't have a personal Instagram. I think it was the video right after Zach uh the artist. I met him at a park, you know, and I was just using the Truthful Sessions. I didn't have my face on it or nothing or anything. And uh he he was when we met up, he was like, "Yeah, my wife thought I was going to get murdered today. like I'm meeting some dude on the internet with no face or a real name saying like, "Hey, I'll meet you in the woods and shoot a video for you, you know, >> or bring my camera." >> Sounds dodgy, doesn't it? >> So, after that, I created my personal Instagram. I was like, "Yeah, I think I need to." >> That's hilarious, man. So, you've you've got lots of different videos with lots of different artists, and I'm always interested in like the creative process behind it. So, say if you're meeting um you know the next artist that you've got lined up, what what is going through your mind in terms of setting up the video? Do you have any locations in in mind? Any times of the day, you know, what what level of detail do you go through? It all depends. Uh it's actually pretty rare that it's super calculated. Um a lot of times, you know, when the opportunity comes, you just got to take it. like I don't sometimes I'll go into a town a day earlier and scout locations. Um but I don't get audio is more important to me than visual and as a video guy it may not make sense but like I just believe that people come back to a truthful sessions video for the music um not a specific shot. The shots can add to it make it more dramatic make you feel a little bit more but uh the song is what's going to bring him back. So, somewhere quiet, you know, the wind is not going to affect it too much. And yeah, I don't I don't want to make them all look the same. Uh I'm a sucker for sunsets. Like chasing sunsets is always something we always kind of joked about. Um you don't want to overdo it, but still it's it's some of my favorite footage. And um yeah, I don't ever play. It's it's just kind of like I guess Destiny Destiny or wherever. Um like for the Zach session at the Airbnb, we didn't have a location set up or anything. And uh I woke up I got at the Airbnb at night and when I woke up I realized I was on the water on a bay and some really cool rocks and I was like I think we could just film it here and it turned out great. And it just seems like so many times that's how it works out. Just super organic. Maybe it's laziness or lack of planning but I look at it I look at it like it's uh just meant to be. But some uh I am trying to get more creative almost with it. And like for instance uh Grayson June song um trailer park in my uh on my channel. That one I took more of like an artistic approach and nothing crazy but I got B-roll of like people and I I was like I really want to represent you know a large group of people in this. So then I went back to my hometown and got B-roll of people just almost make it more cinematic and meaningful and I think it I think I accomplished it with that. So, um, you know, that's something I kind of want to do differently with my sessions is almost blur the lines between music videos and live sessions now. And I think it's a thin line. You don't want to overdo it. But that's something I'm trying to play with more uh more with these days. >> Yeah, that's interesting. And I think, you know, we'll definitely keep an eye out to see get some inspiration. You know, you your channel certainly inspired what we're doing with the group sessions. And, you know, we we don't try to copy anyone because it's difficult in the UK. It's different scenery and different places. Uh, and I took the same approach, you know, mainly for me it was like I'm I don't know this area. Um, there was a random lake and I thought maybe that'll be good or maybe it's just going to be a horrible location. I don't know. Let's wake up the next day and just go over there. And like you say, I I think fate shines on you sometimes and think it's perfect, you know. Um, so that's that's really cool, man. So for the video geeks out there and then we'll definitely talk about the audio cuz I'm, you know, a big proponent in what you're saying. Um, people go back to these live sessions for the audio recordings and, you know, some of my favorite music is actually from live sessions. You know, I prefer the the actual audio quality from them to if you go to a studio version on Spotify or something like that. It's just a different quality uh to that. So, so yeah, let's let's start with the video first, I think. So, what what is your kind of general setup? Is it just yourself that goes out or do you have any kind of hired help on a day? >> Uh, 90% of the time it's a solo shoot. Uh, like the session we have uh coming out tomorrow is solo shoot. Um, yeah. Uh, the Zack Bryan session was me and I think I used he had a friend like I said and I think one of I used one of his shots. Um, you know, I just use most ma mainly my shots and yeah, uh, I currently have a couple FX30s. Um, I think they get the job done, you know, um, for what I'm trying to do. And, uh, where with audio, I used to, uh, probably my first 15 sessions were used with live mics, like really simple, just one on the shirt, one on the guitar. >> Oh, wow. Okay. And I really just take I think where uh obviously you don't want to record too high and blow out anything. I think what makes a difference though cuz even back then I used to get a lot of messages like how do you get your audio sounding so good? And I think I just really took my time and logic and uh like you know just tweak things with reverb and the bass and everything. That's that's where it makes the difference because if you just take that raw audio like yeah it's not going to sound too good. But you also can't overdo it with reverb, you know, and it can kind of make things a little dreamy. Too dreamy. >> Yeah. And particularly for live sessions. And I I I had a kind of sound in my head that I liked and it was that not not completely raw because I think it sounds flat and it doesn't bring out the best in in what you're recording, but equally, like you say, you don't want to slap a ton of uh reverb or compression or overdo the EQ because it doesn't sound natural. you might as well go and listen to, you know, a studio mastered version on what's already out there. Um, but it's interesting, you know, you were doing on laugh mics, man, that that must be really difficult. What we did recently, we we invested in not too many things, you know, mainly the the Zoom H6 has been brilliant. It's so easy to use. It's portable battery operated thing and we can plug I think we got the four piece one. So, we can plug in a couple of guitars, some mics into that. And I I got that one specifically because I didn't want to mess around with clipping and it's got I think it's a 32bit float and you know it avoids that. So when I whack it into I use Ableton um and it just works like a dream. You know it was a windy day when we recorded recently uh it didn't pick up hardly any of that. Um, and yeah, I think getting your your equipment right is certainly something, but it's those after touches that people probably don't appreciate, like you go into that that kind of bring out the the magic to go with that that video quality, too, mate. >> Yeah. Yeah. I uh I hate equipment. Like I don't like uh video equipment or uh lighting or audio. I I try to keep it as simple as possible. I know I got to grow up and be an adult though because I I do uh want to record more full bands and obviously the more instruments and more vocals, the more uh equipment you're going to need. But uh yeah, I try to keep it simple. I've even when it comes to lighting, I think out of all the sessions I have out there, I probably use lighting for four of them, four or five of them. Um, but I will say I forgot to mention, um, not every single session on my channel. I think there's about three or four that I did not film. Uh, my friend Daniel from Wallflower Wonder, he has his own channel. Pretty good stuff on there. Really good stuff. Wallflower Wonder. Uh, so check that out. And, uh, his qual his visual quality is like motion picture. It's insane. Um he helped me out with a couple sessions when I was in Baltimore and he started his own channel and there was one session where he just filmed completely. Uh I was unable to make the shoot and he shot one for his channel, one for mine and uh yeah and then there's a there was one uh one uh uh song on my channel um City of Lost Children I believe it's called. I did not film or was any part of it, but I hit up the artist and the videographer and I was like, I'm such a huge fan of the song. I don't think it had that many views on YouTube. I was like, just let me I just love the platform, you know, cuz again, I'm a fan at the end of the day. Like, if I love a song or a video or whatever and I can bring it to, you know, bigger audience, like I I love to do that. >> That's super cool, man. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't We're all fans. Yeah. >> Yeah. Like I don't want to become like a world star hip hop. I don't know if you know what that is. >> Where I just post other people's music videos, but I'm not above it, you know? I don't I don't have much pride when it comes to that stuff. >> Um Yeah. So, >> I'm just happy to be a part of it at the end of the day. >> Yeah. Happy days. And yeah, well, definitely check out your your friends work, too. It's um you know, it's it's all inspiring in terms of the world that you know, for people that are interested in this stuff to go and check out all of these different kind of artists and and video creators. Um, so you you touched on a few things, you know, perhaps hating the the video side of it or, you know, finding it difficult. What what's been the most kind of challenging things for you? Cuz I know from my very brief time in touching this and I think I I mentioned just before we jumped on live was that uh, you know, that was the first time I've ever picked up the camera. I thought it was easy cuz you know, you pick up your phone and it does it for you. With these cameras, I got the GH5, the Panasonic, because apparently it was good for video. it is if you know what settings to use and you know you you you kind of practice with it. Um I I kind of went straight in. I didn't adjust white balance ISO properly and the sky was blown out. I had a beautiful backdrop in in Wales with a lake and mountains and some of that detail was lost. So I I was really peed off with myself uh for for kind of messing that up. But you know was was that like you at the beginning? I mean, you've got a more of a, I suppose, a background with with studying that stuff and perhaps using the equipment, but what what are the most annoying things for you when you you're working with this stuff? >> Well, yeah, I'm not very technically savvy, but thankfully, uh, my good friend Christian Eli, he is I call him the camera wizard. He's my cheat sheet. I go to him for everything. Like literally any any questions I have, you know, he'll explain it to me like a third grader. and every, you know, I see I learn something new from him every year basically. So, uh, he's my reference. But yeah, I mean, if you look through my videos, I think hopefully there's some sort of progression. Um, like I have a lot of sessions that are underexposed or overexposed and just kind of learning the hard way. And I didn't even if for camera people out there, I don't think I knew what an ND filter was probably until like uh three years ago, which to most camera people, at least people in the industry, it's like, yeah, no duh. Like, you need an ND filter if you're shooting outside. And but I just, you know, I I just went for it. And uh something I always like to say is a a good quality product is better than a great idea. Um because I tell you if I waited until I had perfect locations or you know times where I wanted a second cameraman and no one was available and if I waited and push shoots down the road like I wouldn't have any content out there. >> So, you know, I just I'd rather get her done than try to wait and set up the perfect, you know, shoot. >> But yeah, technical side of things, uh for audio, wind is my worst enemy for sure. You know, I've had some great locations, but the wind is just too much. You know, sometimes you work with people, it's like, well, we could film it and then record the audio later. And again, I'm not some purist, but still, it's just the same. >> It doesn't feel right for me. Like, if we're going to record a live session, we got to record a live session. I don't >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> I don't like I don't really like doing the dub thing. And yeah, you you know, you use takes from different uh or shots from different takes for whatever, but the main thing is the main thing for what you see. You know, you're seeing them sing the song. >> Yeah. >> Um Yeah. As far as camera stuff, uh, I just I just learned I just stumbled my way through, you know, trying to make the best I can. Uh, I I think that's a bit good bit of advice, you know, inadvertently perhaps that, um, just get the content out there. You know, I have a lot of people reach out to us and they want to do stuff and they've been talking about it for for months, maybe years. And I'm like, just do it. You know, nobody's going to judge you. And if they do, they're not the kind of people you want around. So, just, you know, have your vision, put it out there, and you'll get better. Like you say, you're not going to get to a point, I don't think, where you're going to be, you know, a pro level, uh, straight away. It's life's about learning, and and certainly for the rugged revival, you look about on what we've done, you know, the early days, and, you know, we're still not perfect, but, you know, getting the content out there and building a community of people and like-minded people is is really important, I think. >> For sure. I I would even say for artists, um it's really sad when I meet an artist, uh it's usually not someone I'm working with, but the artists I meet and they say, "Well, I want to record this album or I want to record this, but I just got to get this right mic first or I got to get enough money for studio time." And it's just like it's almost like I feel like they're lying to themselves because you can't. If you spend any time on the internet, you'll realize people have made whole careers from cell phone videos. There's really no excuse anymore. you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a studio session or all or get, you know, five other instruments. Like I understand if you want to make a certain type of sound, but yeah, I think at the end of the day, I almost feel sad when I hear people make excuses like, well, I want to make this song or I want to make this album or I I just need to do this, I just need to do that. I just feel like you're you're intentionally stopping yourself. Maybe because you're afraid or whatever, but it's just I think deep down people know like I don't need all these things. or maybe they need someone like me to remind them like just start recording yourself with your phone. I need to take my own advice more as far as my own music. But uh yeah, I tell people that all the time. >> Definitely, mate. That's a good segue, you know, to talk about your own music. And you know, I I I didn't realize who was behind the Truthful Sessions. I was just going through the channel and and just watching the videos. You know, I love to sit in the evening. I'll have a a beer or two and just watch videos of that kind. And you know this this guy David Cole as you you put yourself on there came up and I was like this is a cool song man. I don't know this guy. I love to go on Spotify or or find people on Instagram and I think and that's where I connected to Link. You know you you've got it on your bio and I thought oh this is cool man. You know not only is he recording these these awesome videos but he's making and putting himself out there as a as an artist. So tell us about that side of yourself mate. >> Uh yeah I've always kind of played guitar. Uh, I put some, you know, I put some different music out along the way, not so serious music, just with friends and stuff growing up. But, uh, yeah, I just got a little more into it. And, uh, when I was stationed in Baltimore for training, finally had enough guts uh, to put some music out there, like some sessions. It's like, well, I have a channel. I don't, it didn't have that many subscribers back then. and my friend from my friend Daniel from Wallflower Wanderer, he was that's when we started collaborating. I was like, "Hey, like what do you think about me singing a song for your channel and we'll film one for my channel?" And so that's what we did. And I got a pretty good response. Uh I had someone I don't want to name names, but had someone actually very successful in the music industry say that's one of their favorite covers. And that boosted my confidence a lot. And uh so >> from there uh yeah, I just started taking it a little bit more serious. uh if you want to call it that, posting Tik Toks. I have a real bad habit of just like riding a hook in 30 minutes, putting it on TikTok and like we'll see. And uh yeah, I mean I and growing up I played like bass and little stuff in the church with my dad like nothing crazy. I don't I don't know chord names really. I just kind of figure it out and uh I have about four or five songs written and um so I just want to want to finish it, take my advice, you know, pull the trigger. Uh, I think at this point it's just laziness and not being uh committed to it as much. But, you know, I'll be the first one to say I'll I'll exploit my own channel, you know, and put myself on there if I think the song is good enough. Like, and I say that honestly because the last session I put of myself on my channel called Maybe I had that session filmed and done for over a year because I was like, I don't know, you know, I don't want to have a double standard. It's like I I don't know if it's that good. I don't, you know, I don't really think so. And after friends were hearing it, they're like, "Dude, you should have put this out a year ago." You know, and I eventually had enough confidence like, "You know what? I'll put it out." And it did pretty decent uh as far as numbers on my channel. So, >> Lord willing, I'll put out some more soon. So, you just got to hold me to it, man. So, maybe I'm afraid to tell. Maybe my pride can go to hell. Maybe I could use some help. Cuz the truth of it is I have to or I'll lose myself. >> I will I'll check in with you uh at the end of the year and see what you've done. That was the act actually the song that I found and I thought this is a cool song, man. So, uh, yeah, definitely put some more stuff out. And are you putting, um, your music out on Spotify? Is that is that the plan? >> Yeah, I think I'm going to try to take my own advice. And again, I like what you said. I can't tell you how many comments I've gotten from people saying, "I like this version better than the studio version." I mean, it's so common. I think sometimes it's because people hear the sessions first, you know, and they get used to it and then the artist releases studio release the studio and they're like, I don't really like this. But I think a lot of times it just genuinely sounds better. Um, you know, especially depending on the producer and thing, they can over over uh, you know, produce it and uh, make it sound too flat or too much, you know. So, what I want to do with my own music is basically shoot a lot of live sessions probably and make maybe put out an EP or something like that. That's super cool. We we're actually putting out a couple of EPs uh, at the end of this week. um just seeing what you guys are doing and and and other artists and I think it'd be a shame just to have it live on YouTube um because a lot of people are out in their car or they're on the way to work and they're doing something on a commute and I think why not have it on Spotify, you know, let's let's just get the music out there and see what happens. You know, it might be like nobody listens, but uh you can't you can't I don't know. I'm not going to spend my days worrying about the algorithm. I just want to put it out there and go look this is the work that we've done. These are the artists that we're working with and we're proud to kind of associate with that and and put our music out, man. So, we're having fun with it. >> That's the main thing. >> Yeah. >> So, with with your I mean I again I keep saying I love your videos. Absolutely do, man. Is there any like funny moments from filming or any any moments that you recall specifically when you're in the midst of doing it? because I know from when I've been doing it, you kind of get kind of locked in the zone of recording, just making sure everything's on, everything's going smoothly. Um, it's hard to also listen to the music because you're so busy doing everything that you're doing. But, you know, there sometimes you you sit back and think, "Wow, this is amazing." Or just in the moment, you know, of where you are and who you're with and you think, "This is incredible. I may never do this again." But for you, has there been any any kind of moments like that? Uh, one funny moment that I bring up to a lot of artists, I mean, I guess for musicians they may think it's funny, but I had one artist, he said, uh, have you ever had an artist do it in one take? And I was like, no, I don't think so. You know, in the me in meeting like they do it one take like perfect. Don't like that's it. And I said, no, I don't think so. He said, watch this. And then he did about 11 12 takes for that one song. So, you know, but I always tell artists like don't, you know, don't overthink it. you mess up, let's just restart, you know. Uh I've had a lot of like grateful moments cuz truth be told, uh as crazy as it may seem, I don't really enjoy concerts. I don't like going to into crowds, uh just sitting there watching, but I get to experience a lot of live music for what I do, which is really cool. And just, you know, I just had a lot of thankful moments being at like a sunset somewhere and just hearing great music and knowing we got the take. just like like definitely a euphoric feeling just be like wow like this is this is awesome and sometimes it doesn't feel real you know I have people in my family and stuff it's like you got a really cool job you know you get to travel and listen to good music and record it you know and meet these people uh so yeah it's it's just pretty incredible um yeah almost every time you know like the sessions I'm about to put out this week like I had chills like recording some of these songs and it's just it's a great experience It's awesome. I can't wait to see it, man. And, you know, I I love the kind of storytelling aspect through the visuals that you put out there as well as the music. And there was one particular um a lady that you had on your your um channel, Duty Rose, um an older lady. So, tell us about that's really interesting because I haven't seen any um video creator put anything like that out, you know, and I thought it was so interesting to kind of It was more of a story at the beginning, wasn't it? She filmed some kind of B-roll and she she played some music and I thought that was so cute, you know, to have her on. So, >> yeah, she's she's a very sweet woman. I was very thankful to link up with her. It was through her granddaughter cuz I I saw Miss Dudy Rose on Facebook, you know, going viral. That's how it popped up, you know, singing these old classic gospel songs. And so, I was like, "Wow, I'd love to record her, you know, that's just that's it's like history as well, you know." So, I got in touch with her granddaughter again. and I've probably seen like a crazy person, you know, cuz they're not involved in the industry or anything. I'm just some dude on Facebook being like, hey, like I'd love to come to Kentucky and record your grandmother. And it wasn't I don't think it was an instant yes. It was kind of like, okay, we'll see, you know, and then eventually it linked up and it was awesome. We went to an old church and Miss Dudy is just a very sweet woman. Uh she made me laugh a lot and she was just I remember it was cold and she was so concerned about me. Like she kept wanting me to go to the truck and get warm. I'm like, "No, like I'm setting up like I'm fine. You go to the car." Like just just really nice. And um yeah, a lot of times uh sometimes I forget honestly, but I like to get interviews with artists telling me about the the music or themselves. And I think with her it was even more instrumental with what those sessions came out to be. Uh Facebook loves her stuff. I don't think I her videos on Truthful Sessions Facebook do better than any videos. It's incredible. uh the response she gets on YouTube's pretty good as well. Um but yeah, that the way that all lined up and she was I didn't realize till after I contacted her granddaughter that she was on a channel called um uh Softw White Underbelly. I don't know if you're aware of that. It's a very big YouTube channel in the United States where they interview people and she's she's had interviews on there which was pretty crazy because Oh, >> wow. >> Yeah, I would check out that channel. It's got a lot of uh it can be kind of controversial, but they just interview people and she was on there. I was like, that's pretty crazy. So, no, it was awesome how it all linked up. Lord, you are my strength. By myself, I can't stand. And I need you to walk with me down the straight and narrow way. And Lord, I feel you're coming soon and this could be the day. >> Yeah. So, she's got a whole story behind uh Mr. Dudsy. That's that's really cool, man. And like you say, I I I love the fact that you you did that kind of interview and then went into the music and is is that something that you're you're considering doing more of going forward? >> Yeah. Um, I I do I do like to do interviews and I go back and forth about it. Um, because I actually made a post on Truthful Sessions, which you can do on YouTube now, and I asked my subscribers, uh, what do y'all want to see? Like, do you want to see some interviews with artists or should I just keep it to the music or behind the scenes? And I I don't remember how many people responded, but pretty much everyone who responded said just keep it to the music. Oh, >> okay. That's interesting. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it's important to listen, I guess, to your audience. Not that I have a huge audience or whatever, but um one thing I like about it is I've gotten a lot of comments saying like we put the Truthful Sessions playlist on at work and we just listen. >> And that's one thing I'm kind of aware of like I don't want to have, you know, too much interview time because if you're there to listen to music, you're not going to listen to someone speak. >> And so I but I think it can work if you keep it, you know, short and brief. Um, but I do have another YouTube channel called Truthful Productions I've neglected for a while, but that is strictly interviews. And I actually have an interview with uh the artist on my hat, Logan Mack, a real talented songwriter. He's been on the channel a couple times. Uh, he'll be the first artist I've uh interviewed that's going to be on the channel. Mainly, I I interviewed my brother, talked about his past with substance abuse, and I've interviewed a ex cartel member. So, it's really >> Yeah. Uh it it wasn't it's not very music based so far and I don't really want to keep it too much one lane but >> um I've kind of thought like I do maybe like bring the interviews from the artists over there you know but Logan Mack he'll be the first artist uh the interview's done I just got to upload it um so Truthful Productions that's the other channel we're strictly >> Truthful Productions I'm going to go subscribe to that mate is it so is it going to be more of a a kind of almost like podcast style like this? Yeah. >> Yes sir. Uh yeah, podcast style. You'll see. It's uh real low-key. Again, I actually had to use lights for those, but uh yeah, it'll be sit down. I don't want to again, I'm not too strict on myself, you know. I love to do persontoperson interviews where you can see me, but if it comes down to it timewise and location, like I'll just interview the people, you know. I'm a big person on uh not overthinking things, you know, like because again, I call them stop signs. the more like I have to have this, I have to have a second camera, I have to the less likely you're going to actually create a product. I >> I've seen plenty of people do that. They start up a podcast and they invest in, you know, they probably rent the studio because what I see them using is really expensive stuff. And I'm thinking, you know, it took us a while to build up our equipment base that we've got, you know, with the mics and we've only recently got decent mics, you know, that aren't blowing out and I'm not having to kind of whisper into them and, you know, it's uh it's all important stuff. I I think for me the the audio is is first and foremost and pretty much like the truthful sessions, you know, that the video I I I want it to look good, you know, and put it out there because you got to be proud of it. But at the end of the day, people are mainly listening to to your words and your story and stuff that you're putting out there. So, uh no, good luck, man. I I really want to start listening to your uh yeah, truthful production and the mafia guy. That sounds uh >> that sounds interesting, man. >> Yeah, he's got quite a story. Fantastic. So, what what's coming up next for you then, David? Um, have you got you mentioned some more videos that you're excited to release. So, have you got a a date when we can expect those? >> Um, right now, uh, just the only thing I have planned as far as releases is Caleb King, uh, releasing tomorrow. And then I have a couple artists, uh, kind of in the backlog and it's just kind trying to figure out when the best time to put those out are. Um, I always try to separate artists. I don't know. I don't think I've ever released two videos from the same artist back to back. Even if they're ready, I like to kind of switch it up. So, I got a couple couple artists that have already been on the channel have that have more songs. I'm just kind of, you know, wanting to separate it all. >> Yeah. >> Um, this month has been a lot of family time, but I plan on uh setting up more shoots and uh trying to work with people before they get all swallowed up by labels and uh have to go Yeah, they're still on planet Earth. Yeah, man. It's It's hard. So, are you doing any collaborations? Cuz I forget forgive me if I've got this incorrect, but did you work with like the RadioWv before and places like that? >> Yeah, I wanted to mention that uh my good friend Draven at RadioWV, he brought a lot of opportunity to me. Um when I got out of the military to pursue it full-time, we're we're good friends. And uh so when I got out of the military, he said, "I got an opportunity for you. A lot of paid gigs still in the music realm." Cuz I was scared, you know, going from the military such, you know, consistent pay to going into full-time video was very scary. And uh so I got out and uh I worked uh I kind of went on tour with one artist who was really blowing up at the time. And that was all through Draven at Ray WV. And then we started collaborating. I I've helped him film a couple sessions. we collaborated on some sessions. Uh so yeah, he's a good friend. They put out great stuff over there. I've been a part of a couple sessions over there as well as you know, he's been a part of a couple sessions on my channel. >> That's awesome, man. >> And then um and then uh recently Eastern AF, Eastern Solk, I don't know. Do you are you aware of them? >> No. No. That's a good one to check out. Yeah, they uh uh they don't have, you know, I don't believe they have 10,000 subscribers yet, but their views are solid for how many subscribers they have. And the talent is great. And just being a Southerner, like it's awesome to see because they're based out of North Carolina. And the talent that they have locally, I've actually uh been uh got in contact with a couple artists through them. Uh Isaac Hickerson uh is one of them. We just put out a recent session and uh so we've collaborated a couple times now. Just great guy, Mark T. Evans. Um he's just he knows what he's doing with the camera and uh he's just he really knows how to find talent for sure. So he's that's another channel I would definitely suggest checking out. Superb, man. So what what would you say is the secret source? Is uh is there no secret source to to doing this um and getting the views on YouTube and and what have you? Everyone's trying to crack it, you know, even us with the algorithm and the constant fight every day. Is there is there one thing that you've seen that actually works and you think if you keep at it, consistency or is it literally just pulling good stuff out, you know, and keeping that audience, you know, happy with the quality of stuff that you're putting there? Uh, yeah, I sometimes I don't really feel like qualified to speak on this. Uh, I think, you know, it's just not the most exciting answer. I think it comes down to the music first of all. Uh, and you got to realize what you're in it for. You know, if you're in it to just make money, you're probably gonna get burned out real quick because anyone who does YouTube realizes you got to get a lot of views, you know, and you got to do it at a a reasonable level cuz yeah, you want to be consistent, but if your shoots require a fourman crew, you know, thousand thousands of dollars invested and then you make no money or $20 on it and you're not doing it out of the love of it, you know, like it's you're going to get burned out. So, uh, I think that's what's been good about me is I keep my, you know, production cost low. I've, you know, I've paid friends, I've had friends who have never touched a camera in their life be camera B, >> right? 10 minutes before a shoot. You know, back in the day, I'll say, "Hey, this is how you record it. Just make sure you don't cut off the top of their head with the camera view and >> get it going." you know, like I I really keep things kind of easy and cuz uh it it gets stressful the more you put into a session hoping to get a a a payback on it and you don't, you know, you got to make sure you do it because you you love it and you love the music. So, >> definitely, mate. Definitely, man. This has been such an interesting conversation and I appreciate you you sharing as much as you have. Um because any, like I say, any geeks like me out there listening just like to see behind the curtains of how some of this stuff is made. some of your favorite music, some of your favorite videos. It's all interesting. Um, I like to leave on a a kind of light-hearted note. So, I do something called Pass the Mic, and this is a a question from the previous uh uh guest that I had on. Have no clue who's on my next show, and they can ask anything in the world, whether it's uh music related or not. Um, so I had Scott Low on last week. He's a a blues virtuoso uh from Georgia. He was actually quite kind. Um he he had a bit of a weird question from the the guest before him. Um but Scott's been kind to you. He said, "What what is your favorite song in the world right now?" Uh it could be from any genre. >> Sorry, it broke up for a second. Can you repeat the question? >> Yeah, my apologies, man. So, Scott Low has asked, "What is your favorite song in the world right now?" And it could be from any genre. >> Uh What is Love? I think by Hataway. >> Oh, okay. >> I love that. >> Yeah, that's always just been it was one of me and my dad's favorite songs. And truth be told, I listen to a lot of uh like techno and stuff like that and ' 90s dance. Like that's that's just always been a classic. I don't know if you know that song. >> Yeah, man. It's it was big in the UK. And funny you say about the dance. Back in my my previous life, I was a a DJ. House music, trance music. Um that that was my bread and butter from the age of like 15 to you know mid20s and late 20s but uh >> not Hataway. I didn't have Hataway on vinyl but >> I love that mate. So you've got a chance now. Um I'm not going to tell you who's on the show next, but um what would your question be to them? It could be absolutely anything. Music related, off-the-wall, kind, unkind. It could be whatever you want, mate. Well, I guess I'll uh I mean it'll be a basic one, but I guess I'll assume they're some somewhere in the artistic world, but uh if you could go back before you started your artistic endeavor, what would you have done differently? >> Great question, mate. It will leave a lot of people stumped and uh we might have some silence for a while. >> Yeah, my question was easy. That one's a little different. >> Had away. I wouldn't have admitted that personally, but uh good on you, David. It's definitely truthful. But uh look man, thank you so much for joining me today. Um everyone make sure you go out check David's work um both on the Truthful Sessions and on Truthful Productions then because I'm keen to to see the podcast that you're putting out there and yeah go and follow you on all platforms. Where's the best place to kind of find you if if people want to message you or or get in touch? >> Uh the Truthful Sessions account just at Truthful Sessions on uh Gmail. Uh my personal account, David Cole Graham. Uh if you probably just look up David Graham, it'll come up. And that account is also in the bio of the Truthful Sessions. So yeah, that's the easiest way to get to me. Instagram DMs for sure. >> Yeah, that works well for me. If you want to harass anyone, any artist, I just go straight to Instagram DMs. They might respond, they might not. We'll see. But look, dude, I'll put the uh all the links in the episode description as well, so people can find that. But uh yeah, until next time, man. you know, it's been a pleasure and I hope to speak to you again soon. >> Yes, sir. I appreciate it, bro. >> Cheers, buddy.

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