Davis Gestiehr, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter, has been quietly building a name for himself with his distinct blend of brooding rock and punk textures. The 23-year-old’s latest single, “High,” is not just another track but a powerful anthem that encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of dealing with anxiety through music. 

The song is deeply personal, reflecting Gestiehr’s own journey through the challenges of balancing his life and career.

“The song ‘High’ came to me while reflecting on where I am in my life, especially in comparison to my sister who’s finishing up law school,” Gestiehr said with a mix of introspection and candor. “The lyric, ‘you pass the bar and I pass the blunt,’ pretty much sums up how I see myself—still treading water, figuring out exactly what I’m doing.”

This comparison, drawn from his sister’s academic achievements, speaks volumes about the internal pressures Gestiehr feels as he navigates his own path. It’s a sentiment that many can relate to, especially those who feel like they’re still finding their footing in life. But beyond this personal reflection, “High” delves into a recurring theme in Gestiehr’s music: anxiety.

“Anxiety is something that’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it naturally finds its way into my songs,” Gestiehr said. “‘High’ is specifically about being an anxious person and smoking to remedy it.

“Over the years, I’ve tried to channel all that anxious energy into something productive, and that’s led to a lot of songs surrounding the topic,” he added. “I feel like the best way to combat anxiety is to not shy away from it but take it head-on.”

For Gestiehr, “High” is a message to anyone grappling with uncertainty and self-doubt. 

“The message I want to convey with ‘High’ is simply the story of someone trying to make it through,” Gestiehr said. “I never know exactly what’s going on in my life, and I don’t think you always should. 

“It would be too boring,” he added. “‘High’ is about coming to accept where you’re at and doing whatever you need to do to cope and move through it. Sometimes you gotta play with the hand you’re dealt, no matter how bad it is.”

This perspective—that life’s unpredictability is something to embrace rather than fear—runs through Gestiehr’s music, offering a beacon of hope to listeners who might be in the same boat.

When it comes to the composition of “High,” Gestiehr’s approach is straightforward yet impactful. His music, much like his lyrics, is rooted in simplicity but with an intensity that demands attention. 

“I’m pretty simple with my music,” he said, describing his process. “I’ve slapped a big muff (guitar pedal) on quite possibly every song I’ve ever worked on. Dynamically, I wanted the beginning to breathe while the rest of the song feels like a stampede.”

This dynamic shift from a calm, almost meditative beginning to an explosive, frenetic sound mirrors the emotional rollercoaster that anxiety often brings. The song’s signature upbeat percussion and fuzzy guitars are deliberate choices that create a visceral experience for the listener. 

“I wanted the song to smack listeners in the face,” Gestiehr said. “I grew up listening to a lot of punk and alternative rock, so those qualities always find their way into my music. I’m very specific about my guitar tones, so I spent a lot of time dialing in the ones that felt right. The guitars are representative of what anxiety can sometimes feel like to me.”

This attention to detail in the sound design of “High” speaks to Gestiehr’s broader artistic vision—one where the music isn’t just an accompaniment to the lyrics but an integral part of the storytelling. The pounding rhythms and swirling guitars don’t just support the song’s theme; they embody it.

Balancing the song’s cynical, introspective lyrics with an optimistic soundscape is a hallmark of Gestiehr’s style. It’s a combination that shouldn’t work on paper but does in practice, creating a tension that’s both unsettling and strangely comforting. 

“I’ve always appreciated the marriage of sad, mundane lyrics with optimistic, exciting soundscapes,” Gestiehr said. “I’ve always loved The Cure—they’re masters of that. I feel like it balances itself out automatically. It’s such a strange pairing that makes complete sense to me.”

Gestiehr’s musical journey began long before he ever picked up a guitar or wrote his first song. Growing up in a household where music was not just a background noise but a way of life, Gestiehr was immersed in the world of punk and rock from an early age. His parents, both avid music lovers, played a significant role in shaping his tastes and, by extension, his artistic identity.

“I still listen to the same music I was shown as a kid,” Gestiehr said. “Most kids’ first concert was The Wiggles or something, but mine was The Who. I had cool parents who didn’t want to hire a babysitter, so they’d bring me to shows when I was young. Being exposed to that sort of music informed a lot for me.”

These early experiences were more than just formative; they were foundational to Gestiehr’s development as an artist. 

“One of my earliest memories involves my dad making mixtapes for my sister and me,” he said. “I remember the first song I knew word-for-word was ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ by The Ramones. I was probably around 5 or 6, and that spurred my love of rock music. Now, it’s hard for me to palate anything under 130 bpm—kidding, but also lowkey not.”

As Gestiehr grew older and began to explore music on his own, his sound started to evolve. Influences from a variety of artists and genres began to seep into his work, adding layers of complexity to his already dynamic style. 

“I feel like I’ve gone through a lot of phases since I started making music,” he Gestiehr said. “Some notable influences for me would be Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Interpol and The Walkmen. I love both rock and punk, and those textures naturally showcase themselves in my music because it’s all I’ve ever known.”

This evolution is evident in Gestiehr’s music today, where he blends the raw energy of punk with the atmospheric depth of shoegaze. 

“I think it just naturally showcases itself because of my influences,” he said. “I love both rock and punk and grew up listening to bands like The Stooges, Sex Pistols, Television and The Cramps. Those textures and influences come out because it’s all I’ve ever known. The same bands that I loved as a kid, I still love now.”

As for his signature “wall-of-sound” approach, Gestiehr credits his love of shoegaze and the art of layering. 

“I feel like every song I work on has 10+ separate guitar tracks,” Gestiehr said. “So that definitely plays a part in it. I want my music to feel immersive, and I feel like guitars help me get there.”

With over two million streams on Spotify, Gestiehr is both thrilled and humbled by the response to his music. For an artist who started his journey in the quiet confines of his bedroom, this milestone feels like a dream come true. 

“It feels surreal,” Gestiehr said. “That’s truly one of the only ways to describe it. Most of these songs started in the comfort of my bedroom, so for them to exist and to have amassed millions of streams is absolutely insane to me.” 

But what does Gestiehr attribute his success to? 

“I think being genuine has contributed to my success,” he said. “I don’t shy away from things that have happened in my life, regardless of how embarrassed or ashamed I am that they happened. I think that honesty resonates with people, and that’s why they connect with my music.”

Engaging with his listeners is a priority for Gestiehr, especially as a smaller artist who has the time and opportunity to build meaningful connections. 

“I try to be present on all platforms,” he said. “At the end of the day, I make music because I want others to listen and feel seen by it. If I made it for myself, it would never leave my bedroom. I try to connect with people as much as I can and try to build those relationships because it’s important to me.”

As for what’s next, Gestiehr has no plans of slowing down. In fact, he’s already got more music lined up for release. 

“I’m starting the rollout for my next project, and ‘High’ is the first single from that batch of songs,” Gestiehr said. ‘This is the first of five singles from the project. I love creating and hate stockpiling music, so I plan to get all the songs out as soon as possible.”

But that’s not all. Gestiehr is also working on a side project with collaborator Daphne Browdy called Doom Mutual, with an EP slated for 2025. 

“It’s grunge/shoegaze and shows a different side to our songwriting,” he said. 

Looking further into the future, Gestiehr is excited about the possibility of taking his music in new and unexpected directions. 

“I’m constantly finding new albums that I love, and I’m excited to go a little darker, maybe,” he said. “I listen to a lot of Portishead and PJ Harvey and could see myself pulling inspiration from them on future projects. I also love new-wave, so I’ve been trying to incorporate more synths into my music. I guess time will tell.”