We recently connected with David Tatlock and have shared our conversation below.
David, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Purpose is such an important concept to consider in anyone’s life, but it became a point of focus for me right after my brother tragically died. He was only 49 years old and I had a trip planned to see him already booked for just two weeks after his death. As I arrived at his small house and started the painful process of going through al of his belongings, a persistent thought kept popping up in my head. I saw most of what his life consisted of because of the items in his home and as I packed up my brother’s life in boxes I thought “what’s going to be in your boxes after you die?” . This thought burned in my heart and soul throughout that week of handling my brother’s estate. As I processed the grief I was dealing with, I also realized how important music was to my disabled brother as he faced multiple health challenges in his journey on this earth. He had a large CD collection and was always talking about his favorite bands, tunes and albums. Music helped my brother face the adversity in his life. I had always sung and played music but never got really serious about it and so after that week I decided I would start a band that would be dedicated to helping uplift and encourage people like my brother. The every day woman or man would be our audience and my band would be the soundtrack to having hope and strength through the perils of our earthly existence… and thus The Soul Juice Band was formed as a concept in July of 2015, but formally put together for our first rehearsal in February of 2016. When I’m on stage singing, I feel purpose and meaning flowing through my body, my lungs and my spirit.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the lead singer for a powerhouse funk, soul, rock and jazz band out of Las Vegas called The Soul Juice Band. The band is a little like Lenny Kravitz meets Sly and the Family Stone and we focus a lot on groove and making people move. Funk is such an attitude. It’s an attitude of “Nobody will stop me” and mixed with the emotional pain behind Soul Music, the band throws down unlike most bands out there now.
We released our first album in 2022 and are working on our second album. Our music sounds great, but people need to experience our show live to understand who we really are. From dance contests to getting Little Debbie snack cakes thrown at you, our live show is a sonic and sensory experience that has to be seen to be appreciated. Our band and the crowd forms a bond at every show and we celebrate, cry and dance together as we take on life with the energy the music gives us all.
We are in the next phase of our musical journey writing our 2nd album and hoping to play many more festivals and shows in other states in the near future. We’d love to have a booking agent and manager in the near future also.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the most important skill anyone can develop and what Ive used the most is this — Never giving up. That is a REAL skill. There are so many times the temptation to give up is right there with me. Just not quitting… continuing to do what you do, is one of the most important skills you can ever develop. Not depending on anyone’s response or accolades, but just producing the work that makes you you, no matter what. Do your thing in good days, bad days, and in between days. Just keep producing and making your art, no matter what happens.
Early in your journey, like with me, you’ll be told many times how ridiculous your idea is. I was told trying to form a large band with 5 horns was insane. I’d never get any work. Well, 150 live shows later, I’m glad I didn’t listen to these people.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are definitely looking to collaborate with some larger, well known musical artists in the near future on projects or albums/songs. The thing that would be amazing is if a larger act wanted us to be an opener for them on a tour or something. We’d be a great opener for Bruno Mars, Average White Band, etc… but we’ll just keep grinding until those possibilities happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.souljuiceband.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesouljuiceband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souljuiceband
- Twitter: Thesouljuicebnd
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6e6IWKnpJWlqZdAlGCqnDg
Image Credits
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