Interview: Jay Davids
Singer, songwriter and worship leader Jay Davids talks to Louder Than The Music about his new single 'I Say Yes', plus his plans to release an EP.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I grew up in church and surrounded by music. At our house, it was completely normal for my dad to tell my big brother, “Go get my guitar,” right after dinner. We’d sit around singing together until it was time to do the dishes. Turns out, that wasn’t normal anywhere but my house. I started writing songs when I was about 10 or 12 - it was just the most natural way to process all the emotions life threw my way. So, getting involved in music wasn’t really a conscious decision; it was more like it was woven into my DNA from the start.
Tell us about your new single 'I Say Yes' and what the inspiration behind it was?
I wrote I Say Yes with an image in my mind - a picture of that lost, destitute person. The one from the New Testament, sitting in the dust, begging for bread, hearing the crowds clamoring as Jesus approaches. Not the ones crying out for His attention, but the one so broken they don’t even feel worthy to cry out. The one without hope. The invisible one. And then, suddenly, Jesus is there - reaching down into the dirt and the mess. Saying Yes is that moment when hope is restored through a simple shift in obedience, by choosing to trust in God.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Yes, I do! I Say Yes is actually the second release from my upcoming EP. The first single, Free Indeed, came out back in November. This EP is a collaboration with Nashville Christian Songwriters (NCS) and NRT Music, and I’ve been blessed to work with an incredible producer, Bryant Urich. He’s done an amazing job bringing these songs to life, and I can’t wait for you all to hear it!
What message would you like people to take from your music?
There’s a theme that weaves through my life and my music - a story that God has been writing all along. It’s this: His desire is to take us from brokenness to restoration, from ashes to beauty. Every song I write is a piece of that story, a reflection of His grace, and my mission is to let that truth shine through in everything I create.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
My playlist is as diverse as it gets - I listen to everything. And my influences reflect that diversity: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Joel, Bob Marley, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Stevie Wonder... the list goes on. No genre is off-limits for me - blues, rock, reggae, bluegrass, country, classical, bebop, pop - you name it. Over time, my style has taken on a life of its own. One YouTuber described it as “melodic rock,” but to me, it feels more like funky R&B meets Piano Man playing the blues in church.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I’d love the chance to be in the room with someone like Bob Dylan. The sheer poetry that poured out of that man - I’d just want to sit there and absorb it. That said, there’s a handful of modern worship writers like Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and Josh Baldwin that I’d be honored to collaborate with. Writing alongside them would be incredible.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
It’s easy to talk about album sales or awards - and while those things are great, and the financial blessings that come with that kind of success are appreciated - that’s not how success is measured as a Christian artist. True success is found in lives changed, hearts turned toward Jesus, and knowing that I’m being faithful to the call God has placed on my life. Those things I may never know in this life.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s In Step. I’d ride the tires off my Schwinn Predator, cruising the neighborhood with that blasting on my Sony Walkman cassette player back in the day. Yes, I’m that old - but man, that album still hits just as hard now as it did then!
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Well, you kind of pigeonholed me by putting me on an island... There’s really only one genre that fits: reggae. And the song? Definitely Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. “Don’t worry about a thing. Every little thing gonna be alright.” It’s the perfect vibe for island life!
What does the next year hold for you?
In addition to music, I’ll be releasing my book Un/broken: You Will Be Rebuilt, so definitely keep an eye out for that. I’m excited to see how God moves and opens doors - not just in music, but in songwriting, producing, and new opportunities to share His story through creativity. It’s going to be a year of stepping forward in faith and seeing where He leads.
