About David B. Gaskin

Early Spark: Picking Up the Guitar

David’s musical journey began at 15, inspired by the band Radiohead. That spark led to forming his first band, Epic (later White Elephant), performing across the Toronto music scene, and learning what it meant to write, rehearse, and share honest expressions through music. Early on, the band gained interest from a music manager, which led to connections with Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton, where David learned about professional recording and production under the guidance of Robin Aube, protégé of Daniel Lanois. These formative experiences helped shape his understanding of music creation and performance.

Finding My Voice: Studying Music

In his early twenties, David shifted toward a solo path, studying audio engineering at Recording Arts Canada and music composition and production at Humber College in Toronto. Immersed in a jazz-heavy academic environment while coming from a rock background, he often felt out of place—but this challenge proved formative. Studying songwriting with Rik Emmett (Triumph) gave him confidence and helped sharpen his voice, affirming his instincts and style.

Connections and Collaborations

David’s journey exposed him to remarkable musicians and studios. Including a chance performance at the renowned Pappy & Harriet’s with Bob Furgo, Leonard Cohen’s longtime fiddle player. These experiences reminded him how unpredictable and magical a life in music can be, and helped shape his creative perspective.

Overcoming Struggles

Despite his love for songwriting, David spent years grappling with depression and social anxiety. This forced him to pull back from performing and releasing music publicly. Yet, he kept writing privately, keeping his voice alive even when it remained mostly unheard.

Back in the Spotlight

In recent years, David began to re-engage with creative spaces, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with why he makes music. He started Songfarm, an online virtual songwriting circle for emerging songwriters, which became a way to collaborate, share ideas, and grow as an artist. Through that, he released his first single, The Road Again, in February 2025, followed by his second single, Hidden Gold, in January 2026. He is currently working on a new batch of songs, continuing to explore and refine his voice as a songwriter and artist.

Today: Writing, Producing, Collaborating

Now, David focuses on creating honest, human music and helping others do the same. As a producer and collaborator, he works with emerging songwriters and artists to develop songs and bring ideas to life. With over 25 years of experience blending rock, folk, indie, and pop, his work emphasizes storytelling, melody, and thoughtful production—music that resonates and lasts.