Dave Goddess Group Album "Kitty Hawk" Review

Artist: Dave Goddess Group

Album: Kitty Hawk

Released: 2025

Artist Website: https://www.davegoddessgroup.com/about

The latest EP Kitty Hawk is a six song gem that clocks in at about 20 minutes. Doing the math we learn Dave Goddess is able to get his point across in under 4 minutes, which is a measuring stick in many ways for songwriters. If The Beatles have taught us anything, it is that. Four chords, a hook and a great performance is the recipe and the Dave Goddess Group has it dialed in at the highest level.

Having listened to a good deal of this outfit's music I find myself always impressed with the simple beauty in the songs that is truly timeless. Pulling from bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, The Byrds and Tom Petty one can never go wrong. It's not a re-invention of the formula, this band is just damn good at it.

The EP kicks off with Tin Foil Hat and a jangly guitar that is reminiscent of the 80's Tom Petty approach. I am not sure if it's a Rickenbacker but I hope so!  An upbeat catchy chorus declares his admiration for a slightly nuts cutie that thinks the earth is flat. Dave's lyrics are always clever and well put together, as are the arrangements. He leaves the fluff at the door and tactfully trims all the fat from this perfect 3:17 track.

Wild and Willing takes on a more serious message with the opening lyric "There's a reason for the riot". Dave's voice couldn't fit the vibe of this song any better. The pairing reminds me of the music that Mark Knopfler writes, that fits his voice like two puzzle pieces that found one another in a box of a thousand. It is one of those perfect marriages of sound. The smoky weathered voice with the well executed song and approach to production is lightning in a bottle.

Lucky Guy takes on a bit of a country twang and a slippery shuffle beat, making it a fantastic fit for the modern Americana scene. It has some hints of Nashville, but it's not drowning in it. It's like a contemporary version of the 70's bands like The Eagles that were exploring country sounds but still had both feet firmly planted in pop rock. The hook and vocal do not feel country at all, just the bed track and presence of a steel guitar takes the listener south of the Mason- Dixon line, where at least half of the greatest American music has been made in the last 80 or 90 years. Thankfully, Dave is able to incorporate those influences without losing the New York vibe in this cut. 

The Dave Goddess group has quite a bit of music out there in the world and all of it is done with grace and impeccable taste. When songs are written and performed this well they don't need complications that many musicians would think of as impressive. What is always memorable about Dave's records is the simplicity of the hooks and the overall band effort. The band and production team seem to think of every detail within the context of a concise adult contemporary pop rock song. His music always feels mature and angled at mature people. It doesn't depend on studio tricks. It is solely dependent on solid songs, fiercely appealing vocals and impeccable execution. I highly recommend checking out the music!

Check out the interview below!

Why do you make music?

It’s a voluntary act. Nobody’s put a gun to my head and said, “write that song or else.” I don’t even know why I do it other than to please myself, and that’s not easy. Hopefully, an audience can connect with what matters to me and hear something that matters to them. And I never make musical choices in search of popularity. That might be a bad career move, but I don’t care.

When creating a song, what’s important to you?

I try to make real music that’s honest and soulful. It’s ok if the sound is a bit rough or frayed around the edges as long as there’s a grain of truth at the center of it.

Who are your main musical influences?

I like the original roots rockers--The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, The Byrds, and Bob Dylan.

What’s important to you in creating an album or EP?

I try to get to the heart of things. My songs are often character studies or glimpses into how others live their lives--small stories that can have broader meanings. Then I release them into the world and hope that listeners will fill in the blanks and take from them anything that resonates.

How do you find inspiration these days?

Sometimes, when I’m looking for inspiration or just trying to shake things up, I’ll grab my guitar, hit the road, and allow myself to just get lost. I’ll explore a place I’ve never been before and then find a motel and hunker down to write. That’s how my new EP began. I found myself in Kitty Hawk North Carolina, near the site of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. Knowing a bit about them, I decided to check out the Wright Brothers Museum. Their ingenuity, intelligence, courage and perseverance led them to accomplish a truly amazing feat. They failed many times but refused to quit, and as a result, they conquered the sky and changed the world. I found their story very inspiring.

Do you have a favorite song on your new EP?

Hard to say, but I’m fond of Tin Foil Hat. These days there’s so much disinformation flying around that seems to intentionally pit people against each other. So I decided to write about a guy who falls for a girl who buys into all the conspiracy theories--things like a faked moon landing, the existence of Bigfoot, chemtrails, Paul McCartney really being dead, aliens walking among us. He thinks she’s crazy, but he’s fascinated by her, and in the end he decides, “I don’t judge her, I just love her, and we agree to disagree.” I think that’s a pretty good message for all of us in these times.

How are you continuing to grow musically?

I’ve spent so much time writing and recording that I was beginning to feel a bit isolated, so I decided to get out and play a little more. I’ve been doing stripped-down acoustic shows with my longtime friend and partner Mark Buschi on bass. We’ve also done some unplugged dates with a loose group of top-notch musicians I like working with--Robbie Bossert on pedal steel guitar, Steve Bennett on drums, Rick Repsher on keys, and Valerie Borman on vocals. I like playing in listening rooms where it’s quieter and people pay attention.

How do you approach live performing?

We want to lift people up with our music--make them think and feel. We want them to have fun and be inspired. We give it our all, and as long as we continue to do that, I think we’ll always find an audience.