Meet David Neale

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Neale. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by constantly using it — it’s like a muscle that needs regular exercise. As a producer, I’m always challenged by clients who ask me to reimagine their ideas or emotions and translate them into sound.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I grew up in a household full of musicians — music was like our second language. From a young age, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to rock stages and collaborate with some incredibly talented artists. Music is truly something special. I’ve created tracks for the Toronto Raptors, the Maple Leafs, and Toronto FC. I’ve made wedding songs, Christmas music, and even helped artists express their grief after losing someone dear. That’s what it’s really all about — using music to connect, heal, and tell real stories.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Perseverance, critical thinking, and active listening are skills I’ve developed over the years that continue to push me forward on my journey. The advice I always give is this: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If this is what you love, you have to embrace the uphill climb. Fall in love with the process. Stay a student and keep learning every day. Never be satisfied with your current skill set — keep practicing and growing.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did was recognize my love for music from an early age. They put me in piano lessons while I was still in elementary school and always pushed me to grow as a musician. I remember being terrified to play in front of the church, but they made me do it anyway. Sometimes I didn’t even know the songs or how to play them — I had to rely on my ear. Little did I know, that skill would become one of the most valuable tools I still use today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Iamdavidneale
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamdavidneale?si=7RCTja8m0cI3cpdf

Image Credits

Colleen Lightbody