Dawson Hicks, a freshman music industry major from Bremen, Georgia, with his song, “Golden Years,” is recorded live from the third floor stairwell of Patterson Hall at Troy University.

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With his guitar experience beginning around 10 years old, Hicks took lessons from a teacher with a blues background. He said his musical influences are vast, but he mentioned a few specific artists that possess qualities similar to his own music (Slaughter Beach, Dog  / Alabama Shakes / The White Stripes).

Hicks enjoys creating music directly from his phone using apps like GarageBand. The combination of unexpected instruments is something that interests him, where he mentioned his idea of a future guitar-clarinet duet.

Talking songwriting style and process, Hicks said he likes to “get weird with it.” He says piecing together bits of multiple songs can be an effective way of establishing a theme to your music.

Guitar isn’t the only instrument Hicks finds himself picking up to play on a daily basis. Funk is one of his favorite styles to experiment with on the bass guitar. He’s also a member of the Sound of the South drumline where he plays bass drum.

Hicks describes his song, “Golden Years,” as “melancholy, nostalgic, and happysad.” It explores not only the wonders of the best times of one’s life, but also the troubles that show during the good times.

Hicks hopes to record and release an EP with some acoustic punk/funk influence.