Dove rd
In this interview, dove rd discusses the emotional journey behind “Fantasy,” his musical influences, personal transformation, and the fresh artistic chapter shaping his future.
1. Your latest single, “Fantasy,” started as an imaginary story before becoming deeply personal following the end of a relationship. How did that change in perspective influence the way you finished the song?
It gave the song a personal meaning for me, and I think ultimately, it inspired me to finally sit down and finish it. When emotions are fresh and you’re in the moment, I feel like that’s one of the best times to write them down and get them out. Sometimes you don’t fully understand what you’re feeling until you put it into words, and songwriting gives me a way to do that.
2. Fantasy” blends acoustic guitar, punchy drums, layered vocals, and darker, atmospheric textures. What inspired this particular sound, and how involved were you in shaping the production?
I originally wrote “Fantasy” on guitar back in 2024. I knew I wanted it to be a punchy, emotional song, but the sound really came together on the day of production. I worked on the track with my brother, Paxton Macbeth, and Alexander Valdez. All three of us were in the room together, and I feel like collectively, we just snapped. Alex really went crazy on the guitar, coming up with these incredible transitions that added so much character to the song. Paxton blended everything together perfectly. He’s an incredible producer who really understood what I wanted from the track. Ultimately, it took all three of us to find the right emotions and the right feel for “Fantasy.” I had a vision for how I wanted the song to make people feel, but bringing that vision to life was a collaborative process. I think that’s what made the final result so special.
3. Growing up singing in church, discovering Michael Jackson, and later exploring musical theatre gave you a diverse musical background. How have these early influences shaped your identity as an R&B/pop artist?
They were all such a massive part of my identity as an artist. Music started for me in church, and even when I wasn’t at church, my Aunt Pam was teaching me and my siblings how to sing. Music was always around me growing up.
Michael Jackson was a huge turning point for me. Listening to him was the first time I really fell in love with music. He showed me how powerful music and performance could be, and that had a huge impact on me.
Musical theatre helped me keep sharpening my voice throughout high school. Football was my main focus at the time, but theatre gave me an outlet to continue developing as a vocalist and performer, even when music wasn’t necessarily my priority.
Looking back, all of those experiences played a massive role in my journey. Church gave me my foundation, Michael inspired my love for music, and theatre helped me grow as a performer. I don’t think I could have one without the other, and they’ve all contributed to the artist I am today.
4. Your journey has taken you through college football, theology studies, pastoral work, and touring with Emblem3. What have these different experiences taught you about yourself, both personally and creatively?
They’ve taught me that every season of life has value and contributes to your story, even when you don’t understand it in the moment.
College football was a painful season for me because I broke my ankle early on. It was honestly one of the lowest points in my life. Studying theology helped me rebuild that strength through my faith in Christ. Interestingly, it was also during that time that I started making music again. My passion for it really began to come alive while I was studying theology.
Touring with Emblem3 gave me a taste of something I had always wanted. It was fun, exciting, and exhilarating! But it also showed me that I still had a lot of work to do to become the complete artist I wanted to be.
Looking back, those experiences taught me a lot about strength, perseverance, and consistency. Whether it’s in music or in life, you have to keep showing up, even when things don’t go the way you planned. Sometimes the seasons that challenge you the most end up teaching you the most about yourself.
5. The name dove rd carries a powerful meaning connected to peace, rebirth, and new beginnings. Why was it important for you to adopt a new artistic identity at this stage of your career?
Identity is so important to me as an artist. Before dove rd, I went by sinceSYD. It was a fun chapter of my life, and the name paid homage to my time in Sydney, Australia, but if I’m being honest, I never felt fully connected to it.
dove rd felt different. The moment I came up with the name, it felt almost spiritual. It’s the name of a street near my childhood home, and something about it just felt right when I adopted it.
At this stage of my career, I wanted an identity that felt more personal and more aligned with the person I am and the artist I want to become. The name carries a deeper meaning for me, representing peace, rebirth, and new beginnings. It felt like an opportunity to start fresh and build something that truly reflects who I am.
6. With “Fantasy” marking the beginning of this new chapter, what can listeners expect from your upcoming music? Are there any plans for an EP, album, collaborations, or live performance?
At the moment, I’m really focused on releasing singles and continuing to build this new chapter of dove rd. I do have an album concept in mind, though, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to bring that to life in 2027. I can’t say too much about it just yet, but I’m really excited about the idea.
I’m also hoping to get back on the road in 2027. Touring again is a big dream of mine, and I’d love to start playing more local shows in Dallas as well. I want to keep growing as an artist, connect with more people through the music, and eventually bring these songs to life onstage. For now, I’m definitely in dream mode, but I’m excited about what’s ahead.