David Smash

David Smash (born September 1992) is Lithuanian born musician, composer, singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist. David Smash is the only known performer forging a successful career as an innovative blues rock / Americana who was born and raised in Lithuania. David has been in United States only since 2012. David has appeared on national television in Lithuania such as "Lithuania's Got Talent 2009",^[1] "Ring of Young Talents 2010",^[1][2] "Lithuania's Pick for^[3] Eurovision 2011", was also featured in a book about Lithuanian rock music - "Lietuvos Roko Istorija^[4] " written by a national award winning Lithuanian author Mindaugas Paleckis.^[5] David Smash has headlined major music festivals in Lithuania and Poland - "Visagino Country 2010", "Bliuzo Naktys 2010", "Wegorzewo 2011", "Most Rockowy 2010". David Smash Band recently competed at the International Blues Challenge 2016 and made it as far as to semifinals, an accomplishment not achieved before by any Lithuanian born person. While at the International Blues Challenge David Smash jammed^[6] with many musicians including the mountain dulcimer player Bing Futch.

Smash started playing guitar at the age of thirteen in Lithuania. Drums, bass, piano, xylophone and harmonica followed shortly after. He was heavily inspired by a blues CD that his dad bought in Germany entitled "Blues Giants Vol. 2", a compilation of blues songs from John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, BB King, Etta James, Memphis Slim, and the alike. David says, “It was magic. That CD with those songs was like having an invitation letter to Hogwarts. Not only the music was captivating and enchanting, they were singing in this amazing language, and they lived in this distant part of the world that I've only seen on television.”

He linked up with local Blues musician Steve Arvey and moved to Florida at the age of 19. In his two years in Sarasota, he has expanded his musical repertoire and become well-integrated into the local music scene. He has a high-energy performance style and a winning personality on stage.

After signing a contract with Del Couch and Howling Dog Studios David Smash has released two CD's in United States, one of them titled State Of Sunshine. ^[7][8]

Early life

David Smash was born in Kaunas, second largest city of Lithuania. Father is a painter and mother is a stay at home mom. David began playing guitar at the age 13. After taking private lessons from older guitar playing friends David enrolled to Kaunas Children Music School in drum class. Later he studied classical guitar at Naujalis Music Gymnasium and in 2010 he transferred to Kaunas Juozas Gruodis Music Concervatory.

During those times he formed his first band. At first it was named "David Mash and the Smash Band" but later it got shortened to simply David Smash Band. The group began playing local competitions and festivals and after David's appearances on national television received invitations to headline major music festivals in Lithuania and Poland.

Musical influences

David Smash was influenced by American music recordings owned by his parents. Among his most notable influences he lists Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin.

Coming to America

After graduating high school David was planning on moving and taking his music beyond Lithuania, he had Germany and United Kingdom in mind. One night blues musician from United States came across David Smash's Lithuania's Got Talent performance video and reached out to him on Facebook. Steve and David began communicating via email and soon enough David Smash came to United States.

References