Los Angeles native Treasure Davis was destined to be an artist.
She comes from a very creative family. Her mother is a painter and singer. Her father is an accomplished sculptor and urban art gallery owner. While her siblings played multiple instruments, Davis used her voice as her one and only instrument. Over the years, Davis’ unique voice has afforded her many opportunities, including singing background for very successful artists like Keyshia Cole, Kelly Price, Keri Hilson and Nicki Minaj.
With some experience under her belt, Davis is pursuing her dream as a solo artist. Her debut EP, Heart Flavored Summer, is scheduled to release on June 9 via ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records.
In an interview with Rated R&B, Davis discusses her early beginnings as a singer, her experience meeting and jamming with music icon Stevie Wonder, how she got signed and her debut EP.
You come from an artistic family. Was music always your first choice as a career path?
I always knew I would do something artistic. When I was little I used to try to sell our neighbors my paper drawings of fish and stick people. Lol I didn’t know a career in music was graspable until after high school. Before then I was just always singing because I loved it.
How would you describe your sound as an artist?
That’s always a fun question [Laughs]. Somebody told me a week ago I sound like a couple of their favorite artists rolled into one. The sound of my voice that is. The music we’ve been creating as a whole though I would compare to Sour Patch kids. Sweet with a bite, [Laughs]. Honest hip hop and R&B, just talking about real-life issues that we all go through and experience. Issues of the heart. Love.
You started off singing background for artists like Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson and Nicki Minaj. What was your experience like the first time you ever sang background for an artist at a show.
It was a dope experience. I got a call from the Music Director of Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” and asked if I would like to sing background for Keyshia and that was the beginning of like a 4 month roll, singing for a few different artists and ended up a part of a tour which was an incredible experience.
Did singing background have any influence on your artistry?
I wouldn’t say my artistry, because I was working and developing a sound before I got any jobs singing background. But I will say it definitely increased my love for live engagement and an overall respect and understanding of all the little things that come together to create a magical experience.
You had the opportunity meet and have a jam session with the iconic Stevie Wonder. Tell us about your experience. Did he offer you any advice or tips?
I was actually meeting with a couple of producers about a couple of records and he came by. It was honestly surreal. I sang “Ribbon In The Sky” to the man who wrote all of the songs I grew up practicing to, [Laughs]. It’s still kind of funny to think about it. Afterwards we all jammed around the piano, and later that year he invited me to be a special guest at his House Full of Toys Christmas Concert. He’s to this day a warm, hilarious and kind mentor.
How did you land your deal with ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records?
I was actually in New York on tour and met up with the production team I was working with at the time to play some records for a few people. We by chance stopped in to Mark Pitt’s office on our way out and it was instant.
What’s the story behind your new track “Heart Flavored Sucker”?
Mark called me and was like “Treas…you’re about to lose it!” I heard the record and I was like THAT’S IT!! TC (songwriter) and his pen started this drama filled story that fit so perfectly into the storyline of “Heart Flavored Summer”…before it was even called that! [Laughs]
Are you working on an EP or album? If so, what type of themes can we expect? What are you using as inspiration to craft the project?
Definitely have an EP that will be out this summer entitled Heart Flavored Summer, which is a play on the title of the new track (“Heart Flavored Sucker”). It’s a drama filled, true love story over beats that feel good to you. I wanted to make music that you can ride to, but also tell a story.
What are three things that you “treasure” the most?
Love, peace, and Mexican food
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Heart Flavored Summer out this June, album later this fall!
Follow Treasure Davis on Twitter/IG at @TreasureDavis.