David Kushner

On his debut album The Dichotomy, David Kushner is feeling reflective.

David Kushner’s debut album, The Dichotomy, delves into the tapestry of human existence by examining the profound antitheses of combative emotions. Comprising of 17 songs, this musical work articulates the interplay between light and darkness, happiness and sadness, anger and love, hero and villains, and our inner demons and angels.

After rising to fame in 2022 with songs like “Miserable Man” and “Mr. Forgettable,” the Chicago native spent the majority of 2023 on the road, touring in the US and the UK. His debut EP, “Footprints I Found,” earned over one billion streams and led his album single, “Daylight,” to achieve platinum status within months of release.

In conversation with 1883, David Kushner discusses the introspective nature of his debut album, his approach to songwriting, and how to stay grounded as an artist finding his own sound in the wily music industry.

First and foremost, congratulations on your upcoming album. How are you today? How are you feeling?

Thank you! I’m feeling good, a little bit of everything—excited and ready to share this project with the world. It’s been a journey getting here, and now it’s almost time for everyone to hear what I’ve been working on.

This album is an exposé of intricacy in self-inquisition. Did you approach the album in a cohesive manner, with a certain theme you wanted to conquer?

Yeah, I approached the album with the idea of exploring dualities—within myself and within the world around me. I didn’t want it to be just a collection of songs; I wanted it to tell a story, to feel like a journey through these different facets of life and existence.

The tapestry of human existence is so varied and vast… And I feel like as much as this album yearns for answers, your voice carries the depth of all the questions you are posing. What emotions drive this album?

The emotions driving this album are intense—anger, love, fear, hope, confusion, and clarity. It’s a mix of everything that makes us human, and that’s what I wanted to capture. There’s a lot of searching in these songs, a lot of trying to make sense of things that sometimes don’t make sense.

Could you tell us a little bit about your approach to songwriting?

My approach to songwriting is pretty intuitive. It usually starts with a feeling or a phrase that’s stuck in my head, and I just let it unfold from there. Sometimes it’s a melody that comes first, other times it’s the lyrics. I try not to force it—I let the song guide me to where it needs to go.

You are exploring the dichotomy of contradictions I think everybody experiences in life, like anger and love, hero and villain, demons and angels… How do you think being an artist in the music industry embodies those paradoxes?

Being an artist is full of paradoxes. On one hand, you’re vulnerable, putting your deepest thoughts and feelings out there for the world to see. On the other hand, there’s this expectation to be strong, to keep pushing forward no matter what, to be very public with your life. It’s a constant balancing act between being true to yourself and navigating the demands of the industry.

Who or what were the inspirations – artists, creatives, etc. – behind the album?

There were a lot of influences that shaped this album. Artists like Bon Iver, Hozier, and Adele have always inspired me with their honesty and their ability to create music that feels timeless.

This album has a collection of religious references… If you are comfortable, could you tell us about how your faith both impacts and is reflected in your music?

My faith is something that’s deeply personal to me, and it naturally finds its way into my music. The themes of struggle, hope, and redemption are all tied to my beliefs. I think music is a way to explore those ideas and to express the things that are sometimes hard to put into words.

The music industry nowadays is trying to cope with a constant influx of artists, content, and new music… and it can feel wildly chaotic. How do you take care of yourself and your well-being as an artist?

It can definitely get overwhelming, so I try to stay grounded by focusing on what’s important to me—making music that feels true to who I am. I also make sure to take breaks, to step back when I need to recharge. It’s about finding a balance between the work and taking care of myself so that I can keep creating.


The Dichotomy is a delicate album, with brutal honesty like a string connecting all the tracks. What are your favorite tracks on the album, and why?

Some of my favorite tracks are “Buried at Sea,” because it’s really cinematic and “Flesh x Blood,” because of how vulnerable it is about my struggle and faith with God. Both songs represent different sides of the album’s themes and hold a lot of meaning for me.

What do you hope listeners take from listening to this album?

I hope listeners find something they can connect with, whether it’s a lyric, a melody, or just the overall vibe of the album. I want them to feel understood, like they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through. And maybe even find some light or hope in the music.

The Dichotomy is out now.

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