Donovan Bogney- A GGT Interview
Photograph by Gabby Kissel
Peep Jon’s recent conversation with Donovan Bogney down below!
Donovan! Dood, how you doing? I have three names, you tell me who would you hook- up with, marry, and who you would kill. All jokingly that is of course. Nardwuar, Eminem, Chelsea Clinton.
“Ok so Nardwuar would get the wedding ring solely because of how much research he’d put into everything and how much he’s able to find out. He’d be like a smiling encyclopedia. Also he literally calls himself the “Human Serviette” so life would be one big vacation. Eminem could catch the bullet but just because in a perfect world I’m the only rapper that exists, thus making me the undeniably best rapper in the world (I already am but the existence of others might cause some debates). Lastly, I guess I’d hook up with Chelsea Clinton but only because she’s the last person left. Ima be honest with you, I do not know who this woman is... sorry to this woman *shrug emoji*”
Let’s into your music of course though. How was it like making Lucid? Muses, goals, vision, etc. I ask this due to the fact I think Lucid was top 5 project in Dallas during 2019.
“LUCID is my literal child. I had been raising it for about two years before I set it free to explore the world. The most surface level story of the album is an individual taking control of their dreams and I’ve been sitting on that concept for years. Making LUCID was the easiest and hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life which is why it took 2+ years to finally make. This album has changed in meaning and direction so many times, I first got the idea at the beginning of my freshman year of college, and much like my life at the time, it has quickly gone through various stages. Every time I would attempt to tackle executing the album I would get so caught up in trying to make it mean something and end up fixating on stale ideas from months prior due to not having proper access to music equipment for so long in a dorm room. It wasn’t until I started ignoring the album and simply creating for fun that I noticed a collection of songs shaping the version of LUCID that we have now. The actual time it took to make LUCID was only about 2 months but those years of unknown direction and accumulated energy all played their part in making something so crazy.
Photograph by Corwin
Are you proud of the project? Explain why it’s a yes or no please.
Absolutely, LUCID and it’s preceding EP DreamerBoy were the first times that I was proud enough of my music to casually listen to it. Before that I was making really cool stuff but forgot to ask myself if I would listen to it. I learned a lot back then though.”
So you actually made a play on the projects name and created a show series titled Dreamfest. What made you want to make a show series? Apart from money that is haha.
“Organizing events is something that I’ve been interested for many years now. Back in high school I actually tried to put together a city-wide musical festival in Allen with a good friend and actually had countless people interested as well as a stacked lineup. It never happened. That’s just due to lack of time and knowledge on how booking works. About a year ago I was walking around Jefferson Boulevard in Dallas and stopped by this record shop called Top 10 Records, I got to talking with the person working there and she casually brought up how they do screenings for film festivals and other small events and I had to ask if music is something they’d be capable of. Once I found out that that’s what the bulk of their events are my brain ran rampant with ideas and I finally was able to dive in to throwing shows. I put together a lineup of four artists and was able to bring out a crowd of like 60 people to this vintage looking record shop. It was messy but the energy was there and just got me more excited to tackle more ambitious and organized events. The money didn’t even cross my mind until I was planning the next one a few months later and over the past year I’ve thrown three official DreamFest events which get more refined and fun as they go on. I’m currently planning a larger festival for June 2020 so be on the lookout for that. It’ll be different than most shows out there right now.”
Photograph by Zuri
Somebody else that throws shows that you work closely with is Marlon. How did you come into the making of y’alls new collective- The Crown TX?
“I was at work one day and when I got off I saw a dm from Marlon saying “Yo” and that’s it. We had talked a few weeks earlier about an upcoming event of his and he had come to a small party I threw months prior so I assumed it was something event related and I was immediately interested. Then he hit me saying he was wanting to start a rap group and at first I was thinking “yeah ok that’s gonna flop” but I was still down to fail so I was like bet. Quickly things came together as the members of the group met and started working and I saw it was gonna be more than a little side project for fun. From following Marlon’s endeavors I knew how capable he was in executing ideas so I obviously didn’t truly think it would be detrimental or else I wouldn’t have agreed, but its definitely way cooler than I initially planned, and we’re taking over Dallas soon and forever. CHROMA watch yall’s backs because it’s war over who’s the best group.”
What convinced you that joining the group was correct move?
“ I knew how VASTLY different everyone in the group was and figured that it could at least be a nice exercise in making different styles and it gave me a chance to take my mind off of my own projects for a while and let myself breathe while my ideas brew. I’m back in my lab though so just know that I am coming VERY correct this spring.”
Photograph by Corwin
Ok so I gotta admit something... I was at UNT the other day and peeped you walked by me but didn’t say anything due to the fact I had nothing of value worth saying haha. Anyways, what are you majoring in?
“Bro you could’ve said something lol. I bite but not too hard. I’m majoring in media arts which is radio, television, and film.”
Will there be a day you quit music to pursue a career closer to your major? If you’re major is music related, explain when you decided to make music your career.
“ My major isn’t music related per say but it’s not too far off and neither are my goals. Usually people ask if I want to be a director a something, which while true to an extent, doesn’t fully capture the scope of my dreams. I’m more interested in building worlds than anything and find ways to do that in all of my endeavors. I like to think of myself as a writer first and put my audience into unique places that aren’t rooted in traditional ideas. Aside from just music, I direct my own videos, handle all of my art/rollouts and build every set that I use for shows. As I grow in all of my artistic realms the lines between them are increasingly blurred.”
Photograph by @rubenisruined
So, my favorite question to ask is here...If you were headlining a major music festival what would you demand be on your rider?
“The answer that fans of LUCID probably want would be kombucha since that’s the title of a song on the album, but realistically I would just try to finesse my way into getting groceries out of it. They’d be like “Yo why’s he need $69 worth of fresh produce and tofu” while reluctantly bringing Kroger bags into my trailer. It’s come to a point where I’m always setting aside money for artistic endeavors that I sacrifice a good portion of my food budget so getting a good grocery haul is a luxury”
Now the final question dood. What do people have to know?
“2020 is the year of Donovan Bogney. I’m about to be in yalls faces so much that you should get tired of me but you won’t because I’m cute.”
That concludes our exclusive GGT interview with Donovan Bogney and as always thank you doods for tuning in. Check his stuff out down below
Donovan Bogney on Twitter: @dono_bog
