Meet David McWane of Big D and the Kids Table in Allston

Today we’d like to introduce you to David McWane.

David, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 1996 I left Hamilton Massachusetts and headed to Berklee College of Music in Boston. I was a young dyslexic with a double major of Music Business & Music Production & Engineering. It was to be a five year program; I finished in in four and half years. Persistence is my gift. No one will work harder for you than you. I attribute knowing that to my parents and to my dyslexia.

Even though drums were my principle instrument I started a band called Big D and the Kids Table at the start of my first year of college as the singer. Before I knew it 22 years flew by and I have toured the highways an byways of America, up to Canada, down to Mexico, overseas to Europe and the UK, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia. In 2015, The Doped Up Dollies, a female-fronted Stroll band I dreamt up released their first full length album and has played many shows on both coasts.

About 15 years ago I ventured out from lyric writing to writing books. I wrote my first book The Gypsy Mile. Then my second and third Let The Poets Come & Stop Me and Biting Lightning, Bloody Mary. I then wrote my first biography of my accounts of a 220 day winter squat tour across Europe titled The Modern American Gypsy. My most recent work was released in 2016, my first novel, Kringle, The Story of a Young Toy Maker. It’s a story based off of my grandfather about a young toymaker that wants people to feel fortunate, even if it’s just for one day.

On this long journey, life has thrown ups and downs at me. I beat thyroid cancer when I was 34 and struggled to keep a DIY band afloat in a dog eat dog industry over the years, but has also brought me so much to be thankful for. I met my wife in 2009, we are expecting our first child, Finnley Jane, in June. Looking back now at the age of 41, I feel a positive outlook, hard work, and persistence is how I got to where I am today.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like I mentioned before, the journey to my success as a musician and writer hasn’t always been a smooth one. Cancer, keeping up with the industry, writing relevant music for over 20 years is no simple task. I am very fortunate to surround myself with people who believe in me and the work ethic to keep forging on.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Big D and the Kids Table – what should we know?
Big D and the Kids Table is a timeless act. We have made our DIY ethics and hard work a true way of life and have been able to sustain our band for over 20 years. Big D and the Kids Table has released 13 records over those years with an ever changing lineup of amazing musicians. We have toured all over the world and still manage to connect the masses of all ages. In this ever changing industry, we have been able to stay relevant and bring just as much energy to our shows as we did in college. As music addicted as we are, I don’t see an end to our DIY legacy in the world of music.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have to give my bandmates over the years credit to our success, There have been so many great musicians and people I have been able to work and tour with. Kevin Lyman of the Van’s Warped tour has always been so kind to us allowing Big D to play his traveling festival countless times. Joe Gittleman of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones who had produced two of our records and remains a reliable personal mentor. My Father and Mother for their unwavering support and belief in what I do. They have always encouraged me through my struggles with dyslexia my whole life. My wife, Brie, has been there for me, from my bedside in the hospital during my treatment to fixing up a small cabin in the woods with me over the past 6 years making it our home sweet home. She even roughed it without a working shower for a few months. Making the best out of our circumstances to continue to do what we love is how we make it work and makes it worth while.

Pricing:

• Big D and the Kids Table – CDs, LPs, T-shorts = about $10
• David McWane Books = about $10

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bigdandthekidstable.com
• Email: bigdstroll@gmail.com
• Instagram: Big D And The Kids Table
• Facebook: Big D And The Kids Table
• Twitter: @bigdboston

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