David Pestrak
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | INDIE
Music
Press
We're back to featuring good ole' country music.
Fresh from a summer spent honing his songwriting and performance skills in Nashville, 24 year old Winnipeger David Pestrak released his debut album over 2 sponsored and sold out shows at the Park Theatre last month.
Although he spent the last 10 years playing lead guitar in a professional wedding band which kept his weekends and summers busy - it was a chance meeting and soundcheck with Brad Paisley in 2009 that lit the spark to take his music to the next level.
Hear songs from "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet", featuring guitarist Murray Pulver [on the instrumental track], on Made in Manitoba this weekend, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on CFRY 920AM 93.1FM. - PortageOnline.com
At first, pursuing careers simultaneously in music and accounting might not seem like a logical combination, but for David Pestrak, the harmony is sweet. He can be creative and flexible in one because of the stability of the other. And, both involve analysis and decision making (pairing notes and lyrics in music and pairing users’ needs and solutions in accounting).
The aspiring country music artist started playing the guitar when he was young, and has been performing professionally since he was fourteen, when he joined an established wedding band. Eventually, he started writing his own songs, which according to David, is when things “started to take off”.
The Module 3 student started working in the Winnipeg office of Deloitte in 2008 as a co-op student while completing his accounting degree at the University of Manitoba’s I.H. Asper School of Business. He started at the firm full time in September 2011 after spending the summer in Nashville recording, writing, and performing.
David is returning to Nashville this summer to continue building the music industry relationships that he’s established there. “This business doesn’t move very quickly and there really aren’t any overnight successes. Garth Brooks was refused 18 times before he got a record deal. The process is about relationships, hard work, and the luck of being in the right place at the right time.”
Earning a CA designation also requires hard work, but it relies less on luck. David’s father and brother are CAs, so following that path made sense to David. “Growing up, I was always interested in what my father did. Accounting is a challenging and highly-respected profession.”
“When I’m in Nashville, people ask what I do for a living because they know that, for now, music doesn’t pay enough. They’re always a little surprised with my answer, but with something as unpredictable as the music business, you need to offset it with something stable like the accounting profession.”
David’s colleagues at Deloitte support his music ambitions, “I think as long as I don’t ask for a month off during busy season, they’re okay with it. When I started with the firm, I was upfront about also pursuing music, and the flexibility to do that is part of the work-life balance.”
Studying in the CASB program, working full-time at Deloitte, and nurturing his music career doesn’t leave David much free time, “but I’m having lots of fun, staying grounded, and keeping out of trouble. CASB is a challenging program, and I do like challenges. You are held accountable for your work so you have to be disciplined.”
Ultimately, David may have to choose between his two careers, but for now he is planning to write the UFE in September 2013, and he will release his first studio album in November 2012 via his website and iTunes. A preview is available at www.davidpestrak.com and facebook.com/davidpestrakmusic. - CA School of Business
At first, pursuing careers simultaneously in music and accounting might not seem like a logical combination, but for David Pestrak, the harmony is sweet. He can be creative and flexible in one because of the stability of the other. And, both involve analysis and decision making (pairing notes and lyrics in music and pairing users’ needs and solutions in accounting).
The aspiring country music artist started playing the guitar when he was young, and has been performing professionally since he was fourteen, when he joined an established wedding band. Eventually, he started writing his own songs, which according to David, is when things “started to take off”.
The Module 3 student started working in the Winnipeg office of Deloitte in 2008 as a co-op student while completing his accounting degree at the University of Manitoba’s I.H. Asper School of Business. He started at the firm full time in September 2011 after spending the summer in Nashville recording, writing, and performing.
David is returning to Nashville this summer to continue building the music industry relationships that he’s established there. “This business doesn’t move very quickly and there really aren’t any overnight successes. Garth Brooks was refused 18 times before he got a record deal. The process is about relationships, hard work, and the luck of being in the right place at the right time.”
Earning a CA designation also requires hard work, but it relies less on luck. David’s father and brother are CAs, so following that path made sense to David. “Growing up, I was always interested in what my father did. Accounting is a challenging and highly-respected profession.”
“When I’m in Nashville, people ask what I do for a living because they know that, for now, music doesn’t pay enough. They’re always a little surprised with my answer, but with something as unpredictable as the music business, you need to offset it with something stable like the accounting profession.”
David’s colleagues at Deloitte support his music ambitions, “I think as long as I don’t ask for a month off during busy season, they’re okay with it. When I started with the firm, I was upfront about also pursuing music, and the flexibility to do that is part of the work-life balance.”
Studying in the CASB program, working full-time at Deloitte, and nurturing his music career doesn’t leave David much free time, “but I’m having lots of fun, staying grounded, and keeping out of trouble. CASB is a challenging program, and I do like challenges. You are held accountable for your work so you have to be disciplined.”
Ultimately, David may have to choose between his two careers, but for now he is planning to write the UFE in September 2013, and he will release his first studio album in November 2012 via his website and iTunes. A preview is available at www.davidpestrak.com and facebook.com/davidpestrakmusic. - CA School of Business
Discography
"You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet..." [Released Nov. 23, 2012]**
**Visit AUDIO page for 10 of the 11 tracks off the album.
Radio Releases:
1. Driveway
2. Years Ago
Photos
Bio
Guitar Player - Singer - Songwriter
Entertainer - Producer
Most babies are born either head or feet first; David came into the world guitar first. Guitar player since before he can remember, 25 year-old David Pestrak has become a triple-threat with his dynamic vocals and songwriting. He takes a great amount of pride in what he writes, in every note he plays, and in every moment he is on stage. David is a first-class musician, but he also prides himself as an entertainer. He puts a hours of thought into his live shows, as he strongly believes that his live show is what sets him apart.
--CD Release--
David's versatility is apparent on his debut album, "YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET", which was released on November 23, 2012 to two SOLD-OUT shows at the Park Theater in Winnipeg. David wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs on the album, with the 11th song being a modern country arrangement of the BTO classic "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet".
--Radio--
David's first single off the album "DRIVEWAY" made its way on to 24 radio stations across Canada. His second single, YEARS AGO, is currently at radio -- request it at your local station today!
Back to the Beginning
At 25 years of age, David's professional music career is well on its way. But where did it all start?
--Wedding Singer--
At the rype age 14 David auditioned for, and was selected, as the lead guitarist for an established Winnipeg wedding band. At such a young age, playing with very talented musicians with years of experience really helped push David to the musician he is today. For the past ten years, he has spent his summer-weekends travelling across the Canadian prairies, sharpening his musical talents. This experience has had David playing multiple genres of music, allowing him to establish a unique sense of versatility.
--Songwriting--
After several years of playing cover songs, David decided it was time to start telling his own stories, through songwriting. Davids main passion in music has always been country music, even growing up, when country wasnt cool as Barbara Mandrell sang. One of Davids main goals in his songwriting is authenticity. You can hear his personality in the songs he writes, and truly feel it when he performs.
David has a varied range of songwriting influences: from the honesty of Jamey Johnson to the wit of Brad Paisley. These influences are evident on his first album, which includes a diverse collection of songs such as Years Ago, Fashionably Late, and fan-favorite, I Miss You Too (The Guitar Song).
--Nashville, TN--
David has also been making a name for himself over the last few years in Nashville, TN. In addition to recording part of his album on the famed Music Row, he has also been working with professional songwriter Marc-Alan Barnette, and a number of other proven Nashville songwriters. David makes trips down to Music City USA throughout the year, so if you're in town, check out the Shows link above for a schedule of artist showcase events featuring David.
David Pestrak -- coming to a venue near you!
Band Members
Links
