bio.
Born in Korea raised in Wales, David “Dong Kwan” Kim has a distinctive way of portraying his music. The performances by David resemble storytelling for little children, making it simple, smooth and clear, but also having depth. Most of his early work was by doing live/recording session work in Churches. Being well received by various Christian organizations from a young age, David developed a career at the age of 15 by coming in second place of a nation-wide competition for the guitarist spot for the Widely Acclaimed Korean-Black Gospel group; Heritage. He also served in the “Global Mission Church” Christian organization, which has over 30,000 people come in every week, for seven years as Bandmaster, Music director and Guitarist. Recently, through Social Media, the multi-Grammy nominee John P. Kee has discovered David and has left mesmerizing comments on his performances and has lifted David’s career to another level. As long as being well received in the Christian Music circle, David has succeeded to put his name out there in the pop genre as a sideman/session guitarist. David accompanied the Golden Award-winning, YG artist, Akdong Musician, which whom are associated with one of the top three major music labels in Korea. After moving to Boston, Massachusetts, David quickly became the sideman for various artists around the area but also many artists in New York City, Nashville and California.
Through the variety of experiences, he learnt that being a session musician isn’t about being the best player in the world, but it is about being the supportive musician when needed; music comes through the collaboration with others, not by oneself. Depending on whom the artist is that he’s working with, the sounds and feel of his guitar had to vary from Chet Atkins to Angus Young. As a session musician, bringing the right colour and tone to the music has been and will always be the crucial factor for a successful recording/show for David.
In addition to being well prepared for any occasion, David believes that any professional musician should be able to bring an appropriate attitude to a session; really caring what other people are saying in their music, not being arrogant and willing to let go of certain ideas, as well as being kind in words; basic manners are crucial. Lionel Richie once described an “A list musician” as an individual who has the appropriate and positive attitude in a studio. (Nathan East - In The Studio." YouTube. YouTube, 2007. Web. 03 Oct. 2016.) Having the constructive energy in a studio and on stage is vital for musicians.
Music can be used in so many ways in so many different shapes; it can bring out one’s happiest memory but also bring out the most sorrowful memory, it can bring people into excitement but also calm them down. Music is a powerful God-given tool to mankind, and David chooses to use it for the One who created it.
daily life
daily life.
