With a title like “Touch The Burning Sky,” you’d be forgiven for thinking that David Drake’s latest is a warning, or a dare even. Rather it’s simply a picture painted in awe of the natural world, and it’s got just as much soul and spirit as any rivalry committed to canvas or lyric sheet.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band (if applicable).

At this point, I am a solo guy so it's more friends that play and record with me than a distinct band. I built my own studio a couple years back and have slowly pieced a new album together. As tracking began, I had a number of my talented friends through the studio who added to the final sounds. I played most all of the instruments with the exception of the rhythm section.  Ben Masters played all of the drums. And the Bass lines were played by either Michael Wolpe (who mixed the majority of the record) or by Max Benson.  

Mike also added some choice guitar licks and synths on certain songs during the mixing process. Rick Brandt played cello on two of the tracks. There was also some background singing by Aideen ni Raida Wolpe and a featured vocal by Jaime Black. I believe that is everyone who contributed to playing on the record.  When I play live the band revolves depending on the show style and which of my friends are available.  Sometimes it's just me with an acoustic guitar and piano.

For starters, were you in any other bands prior to going solo? How long have you been performing? 

Yes, I founded 2 different bands in LA prior to concentrating on my solo music. In 2008, I started an Alt Rock band called Hallows and we played certain venues in Hollywood regularly. In 2010, I started the band SanguinDrake with my friend Sarah Carter. We were quite active for 5 years and played just about every venue in Los Angeles. We also travelled up the west coast to Vancouver and played shows. So I have been performing live for over a decade.

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?  

I like relating things that occur in the natural world to human interactions and emotions. I believe that life is interconnected and that there is still a lot to learn from all aspects of natural laws.  I like to write about that, at least metaphorically in songs. I believe certain concepts, like that, may never change in my songwriting. Hopefully just evolve. But many other concepts will change over time. I like every song to have its own identity and feel. My upcoming album is a good example of that. Every song is different.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making? 

I like to think that everything I listen to inspires something. I am still probably influenced the most by classic bands like Pink Floyd, Radiohead, The Doors. I’ve been listening to Nick Cave and Rob Dougan quite a bit recently. 

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start writing music? 

Probably the same answer as almost everyone else. The Beatles.

What do you do to prepare for a show? 

I generally do a vocal warm up on the piano before I head to the venue. Maybe have 1 whiskey beforehand to loosen up. That's about it. It's been a minute since I’ve played a show. I miss them.

What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far? 

Honestly, probably crafting this new record. It is the first release where I am completely happy with every recording. I am ready to give it away to other people to take what they want from it.  Other than that I have a few live show memories that were very exciting. Performances at venues such as the Hotel Cafe, The Viper Room, The House of Blues on Sunset Strip (before it closed), and Bergamont Station. 

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why? 

Opening for David Gilmour would be the biggest (totally unrealistic) goal.  Another one that popped in my head would be the flaming lips.  I feel like the energy would work and they always have a great, fun audience that could appreciate my subtle psychedelia.  Just getting involved in the right festival circuit would be amazing. I’d love to tour Europe and Japan. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that my Debut solo album ‘Imaginary Movies’ is coming out this fall and I hope that anyone reading this will give her a spin. 

www.DavidDrakeMusic.com.