In his career so far, singer-songwriter Dave Melillo has gotten signed to Drive-Thru Records, scored the mtvU Woodie Awards and put out an EP, Talk is Cheap. Did we mention he’s only 17? The not-so-typical teenager took a rare break to talk to mtvU’s Hot Seat about sleeping in vans, the importance of vocal health and more.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Our funniest tour experience happened on the tour that we are on right now. We played a show somewhere in Pennsylvania the day before Easter, and we couldnt find/afford a place to stay for the night. So we decided to sleep in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart, but during the ride we got lost in a shady part of Pittsburgh and we wound up having to drive around for an hour before we settled in the parking lot of a 24-hour Eckard. Sleeping in the van is something that mostly every band does, but it was our first experience, and it was Easter, so it was a much bigger deal.
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: Before I started touring I was set on going to college to get a degree in vocal health and technique. Singing has always been my forte, and it would be great to learn more about how the voice works and what can be done to preserve it.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: New York City is definitly my favorite city to visit. There is always so much going on, and the food is amazing.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Never sign a contract if you dont have to.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: Bruce Springsteen, Incubus, and my vocal warmups
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: The last great book I read was Maus by Art Speigelman. I had to read it for a Contemporary Literature class I’m taking online and I just thought it was clever how Speigelman told the story of the Holocaust using comics.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: The first concert I saw was a Goldfinger/Reel Big Fish concert at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Florida. The concert was amazing, but I had to sit up in the balcony seats because the floor sold out, so that was pretty lame.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Irish Spring Soap, Febreeze, and my sonicare toothbrush
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: My musical influences have shifted over time. Bands like The Starting Line, New Found Glory, Mest, and Senses Fail first made me want to be in a band and play music for the rest of my life. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve started to gravitate towards classic artists like Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, etc…
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: Download my EP! It’s free!
