Talon David Delivers Captivating New Single "Paradise State of Mind" and Opens Up About Its Creation
- STAFF
- Jul 31
- 7 min read
By: Staff
"Paradise State of Mind” is an electrifying masterpiece that will stay with you long after the music fades.
In a world where music often feels mass-produced and predictable, Talon David has just delivered a refreshing spark with this latest single, "Paradise State of Mind." The track is an unexpected journey, blending haunting melodies with a message that feels both personal and universal. It's a song that seems to resonate deep within the listener’s soul, leaving an undeniable mark long after it ends. But what’s behind the music? What drives the vision behind such an impactful sound?
We sat down with the artist to uncover the layers of this incredible piece and dive into the story that shaped it. From her unique approach to songwriting to the instruments that give the sound its distinct flavor, get ready for an inside look at the world of Talon David.
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Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Talon David, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. For the fans meeting you for the first time, is Talon David your given name or a stage name? What inspired you to choose that for your artist persona?
A. Believe it or not, it is actually my given name! My parents wanted me to have a strong name, and it’s made some interesting first impressions LOL. There wasn’t a thought in my mind to go by anything else when I started releasing music. But I wasn’t sure if I should go by just “Talon” like Cher or both names. Ultimately I decided on both names because my last name adds a bit more approachability or normality to the “persona,” which I want people to feel in my music. Also as a Christian, having the connection to David, the writer of so many of the Bible’s Psalms, is very special and keeps me grounded.
Q. We loved the sweet but also powerful vocals. Your delivery is unique yet captivating, commanding attention throughout the performance. When did you discover your voice, and what was the turning point that shifted you from singing in the mirror to recording professionally in a studio?
A. Thank you so much :) I learned how to sing very young, as my parents are both musicians, but I learned the power of performance when I was 6 and got a solo in the school play. Being on a stage and singing felt like a natural habitat oddly enough, and I wanted to learn how to do it to the best of my ability. Luckily, my parents were super supportive, and my dad has been my studio partner many a time. Other interests have come and gone, but nothing has ever scratched my brain as deeply as singing.
Q. As a teaser description, how would you describe “Paradise State of Mind” to intrigue someone about its meaning and spark their curiosity to listen?
A. Vibes: beach vacation; Vehicle: K-pop beats and ukulele; Passengers: Beach Boy-style harmonies; Result: Paradise State of Mind
Q. “I think our world needs more songs that bring genuine smiles and aren’t all bubblegum.” We loved this quote. Would you say this essence of bringing genuine smiles is a natural evolution in your music, or do you experiment with a variety of genres and styles?
A. My music has always been about balancing relatability and relentless hope. I like to express all the emotions I come across, and I find certain genres/styles lend themselves to different emotions or concepts more readily. Pop/dance music will almost always be about feeling good and making people happy or excited, so when I want to feel uplifted, I usually write a pop song. But my kind of pop song, which always has a deeper meaning, applicability to life, and hidden complexity in the background vocals.
Q. Where did you learn to play the baritone ukulele, and what led you to incorporate it into the sound of your music? How does it influence the flavor of your songs?
A. This was a COVID skill! I found it much less daunting than a guitar, and I thought it was cute. The baritone stays in tune a bit better than a soprano, and it sounded better when playing with my mezzo-soprano voice. I found that I wrote and sang differently when using a ukulele, as opposed to piano, and I get most of my pop stuff from ukulele now, where piano is more jazz/soul coded.
Q. You mentioned, “Paradise has never been a destination; it is accessible only as a state of mind.” That feels like wisdom beyond your years. How does this philosophy inspire your daily life?
A. It makes daily life so much more interesting (and endurable) when we stop compartmentalizing relaxation with taking vacations or going away from home. I think if most of us were honest, vacations are actually super stressful, and travel can leave you needing more rest than before. I thrive whenever I become aware of pockets of paradise in my everyday: spending time with great friends, getting a latte from my favorite cafe, getting a task finished, the blessing of modern conveniences, a beautiful flower that seems like it bloomed just for me to see it, the list goes on. So much of our mental state has to do with how we choose to see the world around us.
Q. We read that the single was recorded over the course of five years in various locations. Was this a process that stretched on over time, or did it become so intertwined with your life that it felt like a project that would remain a part of you but never be finished?
A. I actually wrote this song during COVID, when I was working at a cafe in the Nashville airport, as I tried to comfort myself during that time of feeling trapped. It was meant to be the upbeat pop song of my debut album Miscellaneous, but it turned out I had another song that fit better, so Paradise State of Mind went into the vault for many years. Recently, I was listening to old demos and this song’s relevance to me was even more resonant than before. It seemed like it had finally found its moment.
Q. Is there a song from your early years of listening to music—one from a band or artist you loved—that you'd still want to cover in the studio today, because it connects with who you are as an artist now?
A. I actually got to do this on my second album with the song “Pure Imagination” from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie. It completely enraptured me as a kid and was one of my first favorite songs. I did my own stripped back cover to begin the album, and that hauntingly encouraging melody is the paradox that I love to house in my own songs. It felt natural to title the whole album accordingly.
Q. Many artists hit a few walls along the way. Have there been times when you questioned continuing with music? What helped you stay committed to your path?
A. I tried to get out of my music degree so many times, only because I wanted to be practical and it felt indulgent to study something I loved so much (classic overthinking). I applied for other programs, other opportunities, but those doors were always slammed in my face. No, God wanted me to graduate with a music degree to realize that being “stuck” in music didn’t make me feel resentment or bitterness toward it: it just made me love and embrace it more. Now music-making is a part of how I process bad experiences, and singing is as important to my health as exercising.
Q. How does making music make you feel? Does “Paradise State of Mind” come from a real experience, and does performing it allow healing of the feelings that created it, or do those emotions resurface each time you sing it?
A. I wrote the song during COVID, when I felt like I was beating my fists against an iron box, but now there has been so much growth and healing from that time, that it’s almost a testament to the power of this kind of thinking. For me, the song has transcended its circumstance to be about whatever I’m dealing with. In general, making music gets thoughts and hyper-fixations out of my head, so I can move onto something else. It is my favorite form of therapy.
Q. We feel like we’ve learned so much about you from this one song, and that’s such a great way to connect with fans. But what’s one surprising fact about you that fans might not know?
A. I’m a professional audiobook narrator of 125+ titles (that’s where I make a majority of my income).
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. My lifestyle as a Christian, no doubt. When you start forming a relationship with the Creator, the urge we humans have to create makes so much more sense. The divine mystery of artistic inspiration becomes that much more interesting. Also, with this industry as supersaturated and quick to judge as it is, knowing that the only judge that matters is God, and he created me with my unique style and quirks for a reason, has helped me stand confidently in my authenticity and vision. Both as a musician and as a person in the world.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing “Paradise State of Mind” and reading this interview?
A. I’m a girl named Talon, and I desperately want you to feel encouraged.
Q. And finally, what’s next? Can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming projects, and what should fans be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. I’ve given myself the task of a double album ahahaha! The first half is the ‘villain era.’ The second is the ‘ingenue/main character era.’ Angsty fairytale vibes.
Talon David, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Talon David’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
