From Starbucks to stardom

The cappuccino and coffee enthusiasts were in for a treat as the acoustic sounds of David McMillin filled the normally quiet rooms of Starbucks on Indiana Avenue. The chattering of the customers and the droning of the coffee machines are all familiar sounds for McMillin.\nA sophomore at DePauw University, McMillin has spent the last four years sharing his love for music and songwriting by playing for audiences all over the Midwest. \nHe's played at venues like Starbucks all over Indiana including Bloomington, Indianapolis and Columbus, plus universities like Michigan State, Purdue, Xavier and DePauw. His most memorable performance to date has been at the Millennium Music Center in Charleston, S.C. \nSounds like a pretty impressive record, especially if you throw in the fact that he is only 19 years old. \nHaving been surrounded by music all of his life, McMillin tinkered around with the trumpet and cello until he finally found his calling, the acoustic guitar, at the age of 13. \n"My dad more than anyone has helped me out with everything both financially and music knowledge-wise. He first taught me how to play the guitar and helped me actually record the CD," McMillin recalls. "The biggest support for me wasn't just listening to other musicians or wanting to entertain, it was my parents."\nWith the strong support of his family, the aspiring musician began the search for his place in the music world. Although the desire to entertain wasn't a huge driving factor, it soon became his forte. \nAt 15, McMillin joined forces with a few friends and started a band called Trial and Error. The five members covered a range of artists from Led Zeppelin, Dave Matthews Band and the Why Store to rappers Nate Dogg and Warren G. \n"I think the first time we played was the most exciting and biggest adrenaline rush of anything I've ever done," McMillin says. \nHowever, all good things must come to an end. So, with the graduation of three of the five members at the end of his junior year, McMillin went his separate way and began exploring, in depth, his passion for songwriting. \nThe end of high school in turn brought about the beginning of his musical career as a solo singer-songwriter. With musical influences like the Counting Crows and Bob Dylan, he describes his music as being similar to them and the acoustic sounds of Ben Harper.\nIn June 2002, the young budding musician shared that sound with the masses by releasing his first CD, Where I Belong. The CD, which has sold over 500 copies to date, is a compilation of 14 acoustic originals that features lyrics about the experiences and emotions he encountered throughout high school. \n"Where I Belong is four years of reflections … They (the songs) all have their own individual, close meanings to them," describes the musician. \n"My favorite song to play right now is 'Contradictions.' It is about being able to go after something big whether it's wanting to be a rock star or wanting to do anything, and it's about the personal restrictions you allow yourself to have without even knowing it." \nThe song displays McMillin's ability to croon out lyrics while adding his touch of slightly raspy vocals. \nThe songs range from his velvety vocals in the ballad-style "May Your Sun Always Rise," to the jamming guitar riffs of "The Legend of Jack Kerouac." The diversity of his music styles creates an element many music buffs enjoy.\n"David's a rocking guitar player," junior Mark Guyer says, who has followed McMillin's music since his Trial and Error days. "His songs are about things I can relate to, and when he's up there performing, he looks like he's having a great time."\nSince the release of his CD, the musician has opened for bands such as Right Side Down and the Leonard Brothers and for other musicians such as Rich Hardesty, Matt Nathanson and Ari Hest. \nSenior Nicole Gradisek first saw the young budding artist when he opened for Right Side Down at her sorority's philanthropy last fall. \n"David is an amazing musician; he's definitely someone everyone should make an effort to go see play, because he's going make it big one day," Gradisek says. McMillin's talent and stage presence were enough to commit Gradisek as a fan for life. \nAlthough McMillin is unsure if he'll make it to the rock star level one day, he's content with communicating to others through his music. \n"The best thing about performing is just being able to actually play for other people, whether it is just for one person or 50. It's the most basic way to express myself, and that's what keeps me playing," McMillin says. "I don't think a song is actually finished until you share it with somebody."\nAnd this up-and-coming musician will keep doing just that as he is scheduled to perform in West Lafayette at the Skylight coffee house this Friday evening and in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 12. \nIn the meantime, McMillin will continue to write more music in hopes to be heard when he releases another CD next summer. This new release features what the artist describes as a more full sound. \n"While Where I Belong is a good representation of the kind of music I play, my most recent music has taken a step forward," McMillin says. "My new music has taken a different route than the normal things I've been writing about. I've also done more in the recording process to give it more than just the one voice, one guitar sound." \nAs McMillin takes his music to the next level, he will undoubtedly continue to have his listeners following his every move. \n"I see David as one of Indiana's best-kept secrets," Gradisek says. "It's great to be able to say that I saw him when he was just starting out, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for the future."\nWith hopes of gigantic leaps in both his career and songwriting, this promising musician is playing everywhere he can in search of where he belongs. \nFor more information about this "best-kept secret" and his upcoming performances, visit his website at www.700milemusic.com.