By Nathan Cross
Staff Writer

For the 1999 Austin, Texas, Musician of the Year, David (pronounced Dah—veed) Garza, the future is wide open.

David started his own record label, Wide Open Records, in 1992. He said, "I sold records while touring from the stage and van. I wanted to be able to put out anything I want to put out. I wanted it to be wide open." Through the aptly titled record label, Garza produced over 10 of his own albums and in 1996, Garza signed with Lava/Atlantic Records.

His major label debut, "this euphoria," was well received by music critics. Billboard compared Garza to Prince, David Bowie and Donovan. Stand-out tracks like "Kinder" display Garza's cool lyrics "I got the heavens wrapped up, they're all mine. I lay with the angels, I sleep with the saints." One the finest songs on the album is "Discoball World." It is a quickly moving tune led by Garza's impressive voice and a quick moving drum beat. Another song from "this euphoria" was also featured on the soundtrack to the film "Great Expectations."

The buzz around "this euphoria" led retail chain Best Buy to contact Garza to sign him on as part of their rising stars promotion. Garza and his band recorded the song "Kinder," which was used in a commercial where Garza said, "You don't know me, but you will."

Garza's latest release is called "kingdom come and go" and was released on Wide Open Records. Garza's newest album is remarkably simple but reflects his deep soothing lyrics and masterful acoustic guitar playing. Garza went to the studio on the afternoon of April 9, 1999 and recorded much of "kingdom come and go" in a single session. The other tracks were recorded with Garza's trusty four—track and with his eight—track to spice up the album. Garza refers to his four—track as "a musical version of the Polariod." He actually recorded some of the tracks in the shower and said, "you can only get the sound in the shower."

Tracks on "kingdom come and go" like "We On Fire" and "God's Hands" highlight the album. "We On Fire" reflects Garza's Hispanic heritage. "God's Hands" is an up—tempo ballad that is driven by Garza's rhythmic acoustic guitar.

Garza is now in New York working on his most recent project for Atlantic Records. When asked about how his ideas for songs are created, Garza said, "I don't follow any type of pattern. Songs are like dreams. Getting songs recorded is like trying to remember a dream you had and describing it to someone."

As for his dreams for the next album, Garza simply said, "I want (the album) to move people."

You may not know David Garza yet, but you will.