Nashville singer/songwriter Davis Gestiehr recently unveiled his latest single “Cool With It,” transporting listeners to the streets of New York City in the early 2000s. Inspired by the likes of Interpol and The Strokes, “Cool With It” evokes a raw and gritty edge, pulsing with the same intensity that defined that era.
Featuring punchy guitar riffs and a steady yet driving rhythm section, the track has a carefree and cool attitude that is totally addictive. With relatable lyrics about falling for someone who you know is bad for you, Gestiehr’s playful vocals are refreshingly honest. The artist shares, “I think everybody at some point is involved with somebody who they know they shouldn’t be involved with. I’ve definitely thrown caution to the wind at times and fucked around with people who haven’t been the best influences on me. This song is an ode to just that. Some people can really suck as people, but those same people can be pretty entertaining as well.”
The relaxed and easygoing “Cool With It” captures a don’t-sweat-the-small-stuff energy, reminding listeners to not take life too seriously.
Noctis Magazine had the chance to chat with Gestiehr about the latest single, his time performing with Billie Joe Armstrong when he was just 11 years old, and what it was like to be brought up by punk parents.
Congratulations on the release of your new single “Cool With It.” The gritty, vibrant anthem is about the thrill of risky relationships. Can you tell us about what inspired the song’s concept and if it’s based on personal experience?
It is definitely based on personal experience. ‘Cool With It’ is about falling for someone that you know is going to be bad for you. I think everybody at some point is involved with somebody who they know they shouldn’t be involved with. I’ve definitely thrown caution to the wind at times and fucked around with people who haven’t been the best influences on me. I’ve learned that some people can really suck, but those same people can be extremely entertaining. You can’t be let down if you have zero expectations.
There’s a strong ‘seize-the-moment’ spirit in “Cool With It.” What message do you hope listeners will take away from it?
I hope that ‘Cool With It’ inspires people to give less of a shit. Life can kick you in the teeth pretty often, but it can also be awesome if you’ll allow it to be. You just gotta roll with the punches sometimes and try to make the best of your current situation. I’ve always been such a huge fan of the quote, “If you don’t laugh, you cry.” You have to capitalize on the moments when it’s not that awful. I feel like that’s what ‘Cool With It’ is about. Enjoying the little things.
You’ve mentioned growing up surrounded by punk music thanks to your parents’ influence. How did that environment shape you as an artist?
My parents had such a massive influence on me when I was growing up. One of the first songs I ever covered was ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ by Ramones when I was 6 years old, so I definitely was shaped sonically by them. They weren’t only into punk music though. They showed me a lot of subgenres of rock that I ended up identifying with, but also gave me the space to listen to music that they didn’t love as much (noise rock, math rock). I feel like that freedom allowed me to carve my own path sonically and you can definitely hear the melding of influences in my music.
What’s one piece of advice you got from your punk parents that you’d pass on to anyone chasing a life in music?
I’d say just make the shit you want to make. It is so easy to hear when someone is being disingenuous or inauthentic in their music, so just make the music that feels right to you. There’s nothing worse than a song that has the potential to be great, but isn’t. It leaves you wanting so much more, and I think that missing piece is usually authenticity.
You had a pretty incredible moment on stage with Green Day at age eleven—being handed Billie Joe’s custom Telecaster. Can you tell us what emotions you felt during that moment and how it has ultimately changed your approach to performing or music in general?
That moment truly solidified everything for me. I was running on pure adrenaline so in all honesty, I don’t remember much of it. There are a plethora of videos online though, so I’ve gone back and watched that moment probably 100+ times. I’ve also written hundreds of songs on that custom tele Billie Joe gave me. Everytime I sit down with it, I feel like I am tasked with writing a heater. It definitely gets the best out of me.
I feel like that is the moment that I realized music is truly a selfless art. Music is meant to be shared with others and the maker is responsible for making an inclusive product. Looking out on a crowd of that magnitude and seeing how they reacted to it definitely changed my approach to making music. Ever since, I’ve only wanted to make music that resonates with people in some capacity.
New York’s early 2000s bands like The Strokes and Interpol inspired this latest track. What about that scene attracts you, and how did you approach capturing its energy in “Cool With It”?
I think it’s the energy for me. That 2000’s New York scene has always felt so youthful and defiant, and listening to that sort of music when I was 15-16 really shaped my idea of what music should sound like. That scene also has some darker sonic moments with bands like Interpol and The Walkmen that I really love. It definitely taught me the balance between making brooding music that is still palatable and relatable.
I am a guitarist through and through, so I really focused on bands like The Strokes when writing this one. To me, the guitars are the most important part of that scene so I really hyper fixated on them while making ‘Cool With It.”
You’re curating a mixtape for a road trip. Which three tracks are essential?
This is a NIGHTMARE question because there are so many essential tracks to me. If I had to choose though, I’d probably say:
1. Common People by Pulp
2. Get Away by Yuck
3. All My Friends by LCD Soundsystem
Lastly, what’s on the bucket list for Davis Gestiehr in 2025?
Lots of singles and an album in the works as well! My band, ‘Doom Mutual’ also just started the rollout for our upcoming EP, coming in Spring 2025.
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Words: Alexander Williams