David E. Johnston is the brainchild of Gift of Tongues. His music and energy flows spontaneously without trying to mimic or consciously capture an aesthetic. David writes on a keyboard, and what comes out organically invites comparisons to 1980s new wave/synth pop, 1970s disco, and more contemporary electronic artists such as The Knife, Planningtorock, and Zeigeist. David is an emotionally visceral writer whether he’s writing about a man he loves or about a traumatic experience. Signature to his musings is often an intriguing juxtaposition between his words and his music. His songs fizz with sugary synth-pop hooks and undeniable grooves. These invigorating electro-pop songs move your body, and, if you listen closely, they will stir your soul.The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter has created a safe space to heal and to process his depression and anxiety through dance music. Previous to his intimately revealing electronic releases, David had a critically-acclaimed theatre career and was known for dramatically inhabiting various personae. In his songs, however, David is David. We chatted with David regarding his new video for “Becoming,” which you can dive into…

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?


“Becoming” is a melancholy trip hop song about rediscovery and transformation that was inspired by my friend Danielle, who transitioned from male to female several years ago. It is also what I consider a “hidden gem” in the album that doesn’t sound like the other electro songs that I created. In my opinion, transgendered people are at the forefront of the Gay Pride movement, as I believe their journey is one of the hardest, and that their bravery and courage command the greatest form of respect.

2. What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)?

Besides my inspiration from my friend, I decided that the best imagery for Danielle’s transition would be that of  metamorphosis and emergence. Since Danielle feels like a newly evolved person, I figured that showing flowers going from their buds to full bloom would highlight this idea in the best way.

3. What was the process of making this video?

The process was using found footage of blooming flowers from a variety of stock footage sites, and then manipulating some of them by doubling them in the frame or dividing them horizontally. The editing was done in After Effects while listening to the song.

Written to a foot-stomping, hand-clapping beat, “Matriarch” by Mary Jennings, is the feminist motherhood anthem we didn’t know we needed. Mary Jennings is a singer-songwriter and musician with a knack for storytelling and a powerful voice that oozes emotion and confidence. Having been born into a musical family, Mary has had an affair with music since she was quite young and now uses her talents as not only a way to express herself but also as a form of therapy. Mary’s expression of raw emotion in her melodies and lyrics, make her easily relatable and charismatic. 

The single “Matriarch” is a high-stakes, foot-stomping battle cry for all mothers. The song is centered around lineage and power passed down through women, and the newfound strength that comes with being a mother. “Matriarch” flourishes on a theme of give and take and the idea of cyclical life, “I gave you life” the lyrics state, “you brought back mine”. With resounding drums and uplifting harmonies, this single is truly an innovative way to view the idea of motherhood.

Kaitlyn Myers’ “Happy Pills” is a Motown, soul inspired song about addiction as a means of escape from harsh reality and whether you can relate to the message or not, Kaitlyn’s smooth voice and infectious instrumental will make you want to listen to the song over and over again. Kaitlyn Myers is a Philadelphia based, independent singer-songwriter, with a passion for music, mental health and social justice. Her debut EP ‘Chasing Dopamine’ touches on her challenges with anxiety and depersonalization, while her most recent single ‘Star Spangled Revolution’, talks about the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement within the United States. Throughout the past year, Kaitlyn has achieved a large following on Tik Tok and released a music video for the song “Technicolor” off of her debut EP.

“Happy Pills” is the second piece off of Kaitlyn’s debut EP and stands at almost three minutes long. The song has lots of sound FX elements that are used as instruments such as the squeaking of sneakers on the ground, the knocking of a door, and the jangle of pills in a pill container. The piano chords and melody are upbeat and almost cheerful, however, the lyrics are much darker upon inspection. The narrator flips back and forth between happiness and sadness. When the narrator takes her happy pills she feels calm and blissful but when she comes down from her high, she is consumed once again in the meaningless of life. 

After listening to “Happy Pills” we can’t wait to see what else Kaitlyn has in store for 2021!

Carolyn Shulman is a Denver-based folk singer-songwriter whose connection with music has been a lifelong affair. She came by her love of music and all things guitar-related naturally. Her father has played guitar as a hobby for most of his life, so when Carolyn expressed an interest in learning to play, he brought home a kid-sized acoustic guitar perfect for a nine year-old’s hands and set her up with lessons. By the time she was fourteen, she was writing songs and playing in coffee shops and restaurants in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Carolyn recently finished recording her debut album, Grenadine & Kerosene, at Cinder Sound Studio in Longmont, Colorado. She worked with veteran producer and award-winning singer-songwriter John McVey. Shulman and McVey brought in a band of seasoned musicians including Michael O’Connor, Eric Moon, Christian Teele, Chris Engleman and Kramer Kelling. Glenn Taylor of Bonnie & the Clydes plays pedal steel on two tracks, and fellow Colorado-based singer-songwriter friends Edie Carey, Megan Burtt, and Jen Hitt lent their support as background vocalists. We caught up Carolyn as we speak regarding her new video for “Matter of Time.”

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

This song is about trying to escape the daily grind or create a bit of spark in a relationship by seeking some adventure, “getting lost,” and not being worried about making mistakes. I thought the song would work well for a video because it is a fun, bouncy, folk-rock influenced song that lent itself to a narrative video. 

What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

Since the song is about breaking routines and seeking some fun and adventure, I wanted to incorporate a mix of scenes depicting routine, day to day lives as partners, spouses, or parents, contrasted with fun road trip imagery. I also specifically asked my video producer to include all kinds of couples and families in the video – I wanted to make sure that my LTGBQ and non-white listeners and friends saw their themselves represented, too. 

What was the process of making this video?

I worked with a fantastic, professional animator and video producer named Lars Skaland. Lars lives in Norway, and we connected through a platform called Fiverr, which is an online marketplace that helps people seeking creative work find digital creators to help them. Lars stood out on the platform because his lyric videos often incorporate the lyrics into the scenes of the video in super creative ways that I didn’t see in other lyric videos. I sent Lars the song, lyrics, some background on the song, and my ideas for a video concept. We had some back and forth to flesh out the details, and he NAILED it. I was so super pleased with his work, and he was very professional and an absolute pleasure to work with! I am thrilled with the results and love this video.

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

City of Angels is a space station; a fantastic pleasure dome foretold by legend. The actual Falcon 9 launch rockets us to a polyrhythmic society, where intricate instrumental layers spotlight human diversity while chanting primordial simplicities at a futuristic dance rave. Memories of our planet take on female form dreaming in immersive rivers of sound. Away from Earth, we become our primal selves, sharing a singular human essence yet radiating complex expressions of spiritual selves.  

What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

Hope, love and the human spirit inspired my belief that, if we could all step off our planet and celebrate the essences of each other – even for just a little while – society could connect as angels to each other. 

What was the process of making this video?

I had witnessed a Falcon 9 launch, hearing its roaring engines achieve
the ultimate in human creation and started imagining a very special spaceship! The pleasure dome itself contains elements of immersion represented by a futuristic river flowing through the space station and ending at a viewport. I combined stock footage with artwork, creating cinemagraphs and graphic loops. I especially enjoy compositing elements, using layered effects, to express the viewpoint of the music.

As the COVID-19 crisis raging in India sets record death tolls, the world watches from afar. #ToIndiaWithLove will be a week-long impact campaign ending with a benefit concert, sending a message of hope and solidarity with the people of India during this incredibly trying time. The event will be a fundraiser for the International Association of Human Values and its network of 10,000s of volunteers on the ground in India, so they can get supplies to high-need communities, establish COVID care centers and provide and mental health programs during this challenging time around the country. IAHV is hosting a benefit concert May 23rd at 3pm ET. 

Confirmed artists include: will.i.am, Krishna Das, Ari Afsar, Jennifer Lee Snowden, Ali Stone, Cozmic, Raye Zaragoza, Deva Premal & Miten, MC Yogi, with more to be announced. The event with finish with special guided meditation with global spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and other specials guests. The event will also include conversations with field leaders working tirelessly on the ground to grapple with oxygen and medical supply shortages, and to address the challenges daily wage workers are facing during the lockdowns. 

The event will be hosted by actress Fagun Thakrar and social entrepreneur Johann Berlin and produced by We & Goliath. All the artists and organizers are donating their time. The organizers are asking people across the globe to send #ToIndiaWithLove messages, poems, songs, and words of inspiration to India during the crisis, many of which will be featured in the event and/or website. “We have been so inspired by the compassionate response to our efforts so far. We hope this campaign and event can help spread hope, bring awareness about the situation in India, and raise funds for much-needed support,” shares Madhu Kadari from International Association for Human Values. “India has given so much to the world – including arts and culture, ancient sciences, yoga & meditation and so many technological innovations. 

Now is a time for the world to stand with India in her moment of need,” says Fagun Thakrar, co -host. “Even though the challenges in India are exponential, so is our capacity for kindness, generosity, and spreading hope. Now is a moment where we can all show our support and stand with India and the Indian Diaspora in a time of need,” says Johann Berlin, co-host In addition to the thousands of messages of hope and inspiration generated from the campaign, the proceeds raised will go to the International National Association for Human Values for projects the ground – providing beds, oxygen supplies, food, and mental health services. About IAHV: IAHV is a 501(c)3 organization that serves as a global platform for humanitarian initiatives that solve problems by uplifting human values. For 35 years, IAHV, in partnership with Art of Living, has mobilized its global volunteer networks to provide humanitarian and disaster relief through immediate material aid and services, trauma relief, and sustainable community development. IAHV has a strong reputation in India and around the world and sits on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Website https://toindiawithlove.iahv.org

Join the event here:https://toindiawithlove.iahv.org/benefit-concert/