Finally! The first “Much Coveted” article! Of course, what better way could there be than having an e-Interview with one of YouTube’s most popular cover artists?

As first offering of this blog, I bring you, Mr. David Choi.

If you know YouTube, you must’ve seen its unofficial YouTube theme video. You may be wondering who’s the guy singing the song. Well, for those who haven’t seen the video, check this out:

CoverCove: Hi David. Please bear with me for all interviewers ask this, but to make this less boring, if you were to write down your autobiagraphy in a paragraph, how would you write it?

David Choi: I grew up in a musical family playing violin and piano. I hated it because I was forced to play. Fastforward to the age of 16 - I see a kid who’s brought in a cd to share with the class of a song he’s written. Later that night, I went home to work on writing and producing - that’s when my musical life started. I entered many contests and won which boosted my confidence that this was what I was meant to do. In 2006, I got signed with Warner Chappell music, which was the start of my professional career.

CoverCove: Of course by now, almost all YouTube users out there already know you. They’re missing a lot of YouTube if they can’t even hear its unofficial theme song. What got into you and you wrote a song about a website rather than a decent, potentially chart-topper, love song? I mean I love the melody, it could be a big hit!

David Choi: I’m not sure what got into me…I just felt like writing a song about YouTube just for fun (songs outside of my normal “cookie cutter” songs for radio)…and in about 15 minutes, I finished it and uploaded it on YT. In a couple months, it got featured.

CoverCove: I’ve also seen you’ve won some songwriting awards. When exactly did you discover that you’re going to be a musician? Or was it something that runs in your blood?

David Choi: Even being raised in a musical family where my parents owned a music store and music was floating in the air, I didn’t ever once think about becoming anything that had to do with music. It was until I started messing around with songwriting and producing, I became hooked and haven’t stopped since.

CoverCove: The craziest thing I’ve seen from your videos so far was the Turbo Tax Rap vid. I mean we’ve seen you do acoustic covers, but RnB? It’s like you getting out of your forte. Can you tell us more about that?

David Choi: The Turbo Tax Rap was an entry for a contest. The winner won a lot of money…unfortunately I didn’t win (because I could use that money), but I did get a viewer’s choice award.

CoverCove: One of your craziest cover versions was “Hit Me Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears. It was so crazy it sounded way different but really pleasant. Some has even commented it was the best version ever. Exaclty how did it came to you and thought, “Hey, Britney’s *put_an_adjective_here*, and I want to make this piece my own”, and how easy was it for you to cover that song?

David Choi: I learn songs by ear usually and I knew it would be an easy song to cover because of the chords, so I did. It’s Britney Spears!!!

CoverCove: Almost everyone in YouTube does cover versions of hit songs. Some even in front of the Karaoke. How do you choose the songs you revive, or do you even choose songs at all? How do you condition yourself before making a video?

David Choi: I cover songs I enjoy listening to, songs I don’t enjoy listening to, but are easy to play, and songs that are requested too many times. There really is no conditioning, I just wake up and decide to post a cover when I feel like to.

CoverCove: Hanging out in the (MySpace) streaming video gave me an idea of what you do everyday. Can you tell us more about your work, and how do you juggle unrelenting chatters and arranging songs at the same time? We’ll understand because you’re human, but do you sometimes get annoyed with all the attention that you’re receiving?

David Choi: I usually chat and working on music at the same time. If I know I can’t concentrate properly when working on music, I don’t look at my chat screen. I’ve found a balance with working and my fans. I don’t get annoyed that easily.

CoverCove: Do you see yourself as an emerging music star? Or do you like to stay this way, outside the radar?

David Choi: I don’t see myself as a star. I’m happy at where I’m at.

CoverCove: This question might be pretty sucky, but recently, recording company groups has pushed musicians to not do cover version of songs that they invested in. Even artists who do renditions of popular songs are now being pushed to making their own songs. Your YouTube videos may even be declared illegal material. What is your say about this?

David Choi: As long as YT and other video hosting websites are around, people will be making videos. Record comlpanies can’t stop everyone, so they need to learn to work their business models around the people.

CoverCove: Lastly, if someone wanted to be, I guess, someone like you, how would you advice them to reach for their stars?

David Choi: Test the waters, if people react, then keep going, if not, stop and find something else. And also be lucky haha…

And there you have it. If you want to check out his new songs (I personally like the “That Girl” song), just visit his MySpace Homepage, or his YouTube Channel.