Dave Fields

Exclusive Interview: Dave Fields

Hi Dave, I'd like to ask you about your recent tour of Romania. How many dates did you play?

We did three dates in five nights, it was amazing! Two of the shows were in eastern Transylvania which was very cool, it reminded me of upstate NY or eastern Pennsylvania with the sweeping hills. We played one show in Bucharest which was lovely, it had a mixture of old Europe charm and Eastern Europe.

Did you take your band with you?

Yes! The amazing drummer Liviu Pop and NYC bass icon Tony Tino. They were fab!

How were the crowds at the concerts?

Packed! And they were so receptive to what we did. It’s an honor to be able to travel to different countries to play my music and have it as well received as how it’s been. Let me add that I feel like I’m a US Blues Rock and beyond ambassador when I travel AND a Mooer/Osiamo ambassador LOL!

How did you find traveling? Were you and the band required to be vaccinated or just provide negative test results? Were there extra costs for testing while traveling?

We all had to be vaccinated with proof of being vaccinated AND we had to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of traveling both ways. The test here in the US was free. The test in Romania was picked up by the promoter so I can’t comment on the cost when we were there and coming back. Also, the planes were only ¾ full. It never used to be that way.

Did you have any layovers? Any testing at those airports?

We stopped at Charles DeGaulle in Paris on the way to Bucharest. There was no testing there. However, when we got to Bucharest airport, they required documentation, which we had. On the way back to the US, we had to show documentation that we had tested negative when we were leaving Romania. The flight back to the US stopped at Schipol in Amsterdam. Again, there was no testing. When we arrived back at JFK, we had to show our negative Covid test documentation. It was uneventful thank god!

Was there testing, mask wearing, social distancing in Romania?

I didn’t notice any social distancing however there were testing sites all over when we were in Romania. I wore a mask when I was around people. Most people in Romania didn’t wear a mask unless they were indoors.

Were there any unforeseen difficulties you'd like to share?

Fortunately, our trip went very smooth and uneventful. I’ve traveled to eastern Europe many times and I was expecting things to be different than they are here. Thank god I have no difficulties to report! LOL!

How did it feel to be back on stage with your band in Europe?

OMG!!!!! Amazing! There is video from our show… that says it all! It was magical, again, I feel so lucky to be able to have been to Romania! (ed: the video is at the top of the page)

Are you looking forward to going back?

HECK YES!!! Let’s see what happens! Let me add, it’s so cool to see how the blues, which arguably originated in the US, has influenced so many people all over the world. I got to meet and play with many of my Romanian “blues brothers (and sisters)” and they felt like the long, lost family that I had never met. Being that it was my first time in Romania, it was very comforting to have that feeling. I felt right at home.

Can you tell us what are you working on now?

I’m working on my 7th CD and still promoting my latest CD Force of Will which just got nominated for three Independent Blues Rock awards. Also, things are opening up here in NYC and the Northeast, I’m busy putting together shows for the fall and beyond.

And what is your musical background and influences?

I grew up the son of noted composer/arranger/producer Sammy “Forever” Fields in NYC. Growing up in NYC I was exposed to many different styles of music through my dad and from being in the rich NYC music environment. I was always drawn to guitar but piano was my first instrument. My early hero’s were Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. You can definitely hear that in my playing!

What do think is the role of education in music?

Education was a huge part of my upbringing. As a child, I would watch my father write for entire orchestra’s. It was always something I aspired to do. The quickest way to do that was to study music. I went to Berklee College of Music and studied privately with many teachers as well. Also, even to this day I am always trying to learn something new, whether it be discovering something from the past ex: I’ve been working on playing Chopin pieces on guitar, or something more modern like Allan Holdsworth’s HOME.

How do you feel about the current ‘state of the music industry’?

The music industry is always in motion, things never stay static. Now more than ever, with all the social media and with services like CDbaby etc that distribute music, the independent artist like myself can carve out a name for him or herself. In some ways, being an independent artist is the ultimate expression of being an entrepreneur! I’m an optimist, even with the Covid epidemic, I know there will be unseen opportunities and when things really open up I believe it’s should be a boom for performers and artists like myself.

And last, why do you play Mooer effect pedals?

Wow! So many reasons! They sound great, they’re compact, they’re LIGHT WEIGHT! Especially when I’m traveling overseas, weight is always an issue. I’m always trying to bring as much merchandise as I can and cram it into one piece of luggage AND some overseas carriers only allow you to bring 20 kg or 45 pounds in your bag. Not like here in the US where you can bring 23 kg or 50 lbs. The Mooer pedals are a space saving, weight saving, amazing sound solution. I LOVE THEM!

Thanks to all you readers! Stay safe!