DAVE DESMELIK -Lyrical and Instrumental Songster

Welcome to the official website for Dave Desmelik music. Please browse, listen, read, share, and feel free to contact. Thank you so much for supporting independent and original music.
It is a good thing to do and you, the listener are appreciated.
(All header pics by the wonderful Vickie Burick www.vickieburick.zenfolio.com)

dave_desmelik@hotmail.com

“Few Western North Carolina artists embody the spirit of true independent music better than Dave Desmelik. Since 1999, the Penrose-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has released a staggering 19 full-length albums and brought his distinct style of Americana to nearly every stage in the region.” -Mountain Xpress (Edwin Arnaudin)

“'Desmelik's strength is an atypical way of making very idiosyncratic songs. Rooted in American singer-songwriter music, of course, but always looking for penetrating melodies and lyrics without adhering to the laws of American songwriting.” -RealRootsCafe.com

“Desmelik's music is a superb example of all that is good in Roots/Americana music today." -lonesomehighway.com

“Desmelik's music is honest, his are relevant questions, and he plays guitar viciously. This man carries with him the legacy of a dying breed.” -altcountryforum.nl

There and Then (July 1992 - December 1994)

Dave Desmelik

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A seasoned and accomplished veteran of recording and performing, Dave Desmelik is a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist based in Brevard, NC USA. With songs raw and unapologetic, There and Then (July 1992 - December 1994) is Desmelik's 17th independent release. It is an extremely personal journey into the trials and tribulations of a young man trying to find his way in the world.

Spencer Jones (music host from WNCW Radio) says of this album....

"Driving around my town of Brevard, listening to Dave Desmelik’s newest album, there is a feeling of familiarity and of coming home. In the quintessential Western North Carolina Americana artist’s new album 'There and Then (July 1992-December 1994)', Dave strikes tones of home from a different time and place – the road. He draws on nostalgic, creative foundations laid on western highways in the early 1990’s. The album as a whole shows a vulnerable artist putting shapes and forms on his creative impulses and examining the foundations of a lifelong passion. The deep, ripping electric guitar by Desmelik (and Steve Mayone on 'Crazy Life') stand out as highlights which underlie the depth of emotion in the words. The banjo work of Bow Thayer in 'Rand McNally' provides welcome sentiments of Appalachia in an album with a Western mindset.

Passages from 'Risking' and 'Crazy Life' feel as if they were taken directly from journals with a reverence for their creation that comes through the lens of self-reflection and time. 'Rand McNally' compliments the album’s theme with an ode to the unintentional itinerary across deserts, cities, and scenes from Arizona to Oregon. It awakens the sense of wide-open spaces fostered by youth and travel. The opener 'Me & Bob Marley' is an open road tune that references the deep dives drivers take with an artist during long haul marathon hours on the highway.

The album emphasizes the impetuous essence of the singer’s psyche and hard scrabble nature of his travels and aspirations to create. Vulnerable to the core, the songs examine a tender and profound creative flash point when keeping the pen on paper was a discipline and changes in scenery were a constant. 'New Chapter', the album’s closer, reveals the resolve to go forward and the spirit of an artist whose steel has been tempered by experience.

I love the nostalgia and genuine vulnerability of this album. It shows a songwriter of great discipline digging into his origins and sharing a chapter that, while looking back, sounds here & now."

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Me and Bob Marley 3:29

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Rand McNally 3:48

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Risking 8:22

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Crazy Life 9:45

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New Chapter 5:40

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Babble

Ashtray Songs - New Album Coming in 2026

I am pleased to let you know that I will be releasing my 20th independent full-length album ‘Ashtray Songs’ in the coming months. There is currently no set release date yet, but I have been working hard in the studio, and the songs are coming together. I look forward to sharing these tunes with you. The songs on this project are vulnerable, painful, and exposing. This is not a collection of “happy songs”. Sadness, depression, confusion, anger, despair …. If you can relate to any of these themes, then this album will be waiting for your ears in the near future. Stay tuned.

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on." -Robert Frost

'Among Friends' - For Your Listening Ears

My new release ‘Among Friends’ is now available for your listening ears wherever you get your tunes. These are songs that have been written by some of my songwriting friends that I have met over the course of my career. These are songs that personally move me. These are songs that are worthy of your listening ears. Please consider adding to your playlist, streaming, downloading, sharing and supporting and please deep just a bit deeper and go listen to the original versions. It is my honor and pleasure to make this album, and I am proud to call these wonderful songwriters my friends.

'Among Friends' ... new recording project...

Music and songs are continually an influence on all of us. Whether it be a popular classic or an obscure cover or even a tune from a friend. I have made many songwriting friends throughout the years and many of these songwriters have written incredibly heartfelt, powerful, and beautiful songs…. songs that have personally moved me. I am honored to announce my new recording project is titled ‘Among Friends’ and is a collection of songs that I am covering (in my own way). Every tune that I am covering on this recording project, I am doing so with the utmost respect and intention of serving the song and songwriter. These are tunes worthy of your listening ears and I can't wait to share ‘my versions’ of these songs. Release date targeted for Spring 2025 or sooner! Music connects us…. Stayed tuned.

instrumental health for your ears

Available worldwide now! My 18th independent release and 3rd all instrumental album… instrumental health… Music is the science and art of combining tones and feelings into an agreeable sound that encourages the mind to become free. Listen to any music you love… just listen… and take solace… MUSIC CONNECTS US

New Instrumental Album in the Works

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” -Confucius

Music loving friends…I am pleased to announce that I am currently working on my 3rd all instrumental album and my 18th overall album. I look forward to sharing this new recording with you in the near future. All instrumental and a bit out of the box for me, these new tunes are heavily laden with keyboard textures and synthesizers and lean often to the meditative and pensive side. Breathe deep and stay tuned.

There and Then (July 1992 - December 1994) ... new album coming soon!

Coming soon ….. the release of my 17th independent album. There and Then (July 1992 - December 1994) is a deeply personal set of tunes I've written and recorded in the last year. These songs are the truest of true stories and inspired by the reflection and recollection of youth… including but not limited to youthful freedom, confusion, enlightenment, fear, courage, pride, shame, risk, clarity, hope, rebellion, foolishness, trust, kindness and so much more.

“In youth we learn; in age we understand.” - Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach

Making Music with SCR

Here's a pic taken from last January's performance opening and sharing the stage with my friends Steep Canyon Rangers…. from Winter Camp 2023 at Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard, NC. - MUSIC CONNECTS US -

On The Horizon

Hello music loving friends. I want to let you know that I have a number of irons in the fire for the upcoming year ahead.... including new recordings and travel abroad. I am forever indebted to music and look forward to sharing more songs with you. I appreciate all the kindness through the many years and am hopeful you will continue to support independent music. In case nobody has told you today... then I am telling you... YOU are appreciated! Here is a link to all my songs (new and old... lyrical and instrumental) on Bandcamp. Also, you can find me on all the major music streaming/download platforms too (youtube, spotify, etc.) ... just type my name in the search bar. Cheers! https://davedesmelik.bandcamp.com/

Video for 'Rain Love'

Here is the video for my song Rain Love from my album Clues of My Existence. I had a specific 'vision' for this video, many thanks to all the good folks who lent their eyes. Also, thanks to the musicians who contributed their time and talent to this song.

Nolan McKelvey - Bass/Harmony Vocal... Ron James - Drums... Ryan Stigmon - Pedal Steel Guitar

Have a look/listen and I hope you enjoy. As always, thank YOU for supporting independent and original music.

'Clues Of My Existence' now available

My 16th album and newest release 'Clues Of My Existence' is now available on all major digital music platforms. Special thanks to the musicians who contributed their time and talent to this project. I hope YOU, the listener will give these songs a deep dive. As always, thank you for supporting independent and original music.