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Holiday Re-Release – “Christmas Collective 2007-2016”

December 24, 2023

This compilation captures my best holiday tracks from the years 2007-2016, during which period I released annual Christmas albums for the purpose of showcasing holiday songs, rarities and odds-and-sods music that wouldn’t necessarily make sense for any of my “general” releases.

The years themselves were prolific for me personally, in multiple facets of life. And the end-of-year feelings were very reflective and introspective, which I think is somehow captured in all of the songs in this collection. Somehow you can hear the growth and evolution, not just in the music but in my very livelihood.

But without getting too deep, I hope this collection works for you as a vehicle of reflection and introspection on your end. Crafted with care and love, here’s some Christmas spirit and cheer for you, for this Christmas and many Christmases to come. Blessings, all!

New Holiday Release – “2023 Christmas Lights”

December 15, 2023

Here’s my annual holiday album, and it’s a bit more upbeat than last year’s release (which was a bit dark and dreary). This is very likely a function of a year that began with uncertainty (and a surgery) and steadily improved on multiple levels.

In that spirit, here is a holiday grab-bag of songs past and present. Contains all-new performances of two Christmas tunes, a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way” (from A Star is Born), a 1991 home rehearsal of a Chopin waltz, and a newly unearthed 1994 recording of David accompanying the Beacon UMC Choir. Celebrate the season, in full Wu style!

“If I Can Move the Mountains” – Lyric Video

August 23, 2023

This month marks 20 years since the song release of my composition, “If I Can Move the Mountains”, performed by Joyce Malana. Here is a new lyric video for the song:

The lyrics are not strictly autobiographical, but I wrote it about “me … and everyone else” who was in some form of church ministry, big or small. Ministry is a calling, but it can be dog-eat-dog at times, toxic at times, a big strain on mental health at times (a topic that is more comfortably discussed today than it was in 2003). This song is about that journey. The change from self-doubt to certainty mid-song is abrupt. But that transition in actuality represents varying periods of growth for each person.

One thing that singer-songwriters do without knowing is write melodies that fit their vocal ranges. With me not being a singer, I didn’t have that constraint – this melody clearly was meant for a singer who could hit the wide range of notes and also touch on the required dynamic changes as the song progresses.

Joyce was my pick, once the song earned its place in the “Papuri! Northwest 2003” album-in-work. 5 years earlier, I had accompanied her on keyboards (an Aaliyah song) for my friend’s debut party, and I knew our paths would cross musically again. I think others were considered for the vocal role, but I insisted on having Joyce as the singer.

The song eventually won a songwriting grand prize when it debuted with all the other album’s songs in August 2003 – and perhaps I was as surprised as everyone else. But the real “prize” is how this song encapsulates, bluntly, some of the toughest parts of ministry – and how it has encouraged various people in their walk with God over the years.

David Wu

Aug. 23, 2023

David Wu’s Top 10 Tips for Graduates (2023 Edition)

June 15, 2023

1– Confirmation bias is poison.

2– Guard your heart by learning how to say the word “No”.

3– Your biggest asset at work will be your ability to build trust year after year. Next-best but related asset: showing your growth – in BOTH leadership and technical areas.

4– Aim to be a better person than you were the day before. Then string this mindset over the course of a few decades.

5– Learn what a zero-based budget is. Start implementing one. Not only will it give you increased control of finances, but it is the equivalent of finding lost hundred-dollar bills in your sofa.

6– Keep up with your annual doctor appointments.

7– Remember “drum technique” from The Karate Kid Part 2? It’s simultaneous offense and defense. Each action builds momentum for the next action. After a few seconds there is consistency. Used the right way, there is intentionality. So, more than ever in 2023, “ask the drum”.

8– We used to say “stop and smell the roses”. Today’s equivalent phrase is “don’t use your phone for a few hours”.

9– Assert yourself, but do not brag. Marketing yourself the right way involves seeking the proper balance between getting your personal brand exposed, and humility.

10– “God will provide”… yes… But remember He also already provided you with equipment to take things to the next level. Plus, He gave you dominion over this world. Recognition and reliance of God’s control goes hand-in-hand with intentionality. Move forward accordingly.

New Holiday Release – “2022 Christmas Bells”

November 25, 2022

From 2007-2016, I released holiday/Christmas albums, but ended up going on a “holiday album hiatus” as I felt that I was racking up too many of these. But starting this year, I’m bringing back the annual tradition, complete with new renditions of Christmas songs and also a few “special gift songs” for your musical stocking!

Album Re-release: David Wu by Request, Vol. 2 (2013)

March 19, 2022

At the time of this writing – in March 2022 – we may take for granted the notion of live posts via social media. Less than 10 years ago, in 2012-2013, live posts were only just starting to creep into the norm.

I decided to perform some piano solos in the live video setting, knowing the challenge that each performance “was what it was”, without the benefit of overdubs or re-takes. And also, knowing that there was an audience watching, it brought back the aura of my old piano recitals, in which every moment was forever captured for 1) a re-watch some time soon, and 2) for some unknown audience (a future generation watching?) in the future.

But being that live technology on social media was only just starting out, there were limitations in terms of playback quality – both on the video and audio signals. Yet upon rewatching these soon after the performances, I realized that these were moments that I felt should be compiled into an album.

So I did just that – even with the noise artifacts apparent in the audio feed. This amounts to my 2nd “by request” album, as all the songs were indeed requested by various audience members. Was it worth capturing these moments? I think they were, and that’s also for you to decide…

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New Video – “The Tide is High”

March 7, 2022

In advance of the re-release of my album David Wu by Request, Vol. 2, I have created this new music video for the track “The Tide is High”. The recording was made in August 2013, while I have added video footage from March 2022 (during my current vacation in Ocean Shores, WA). Check it out:

Album Re-release: Music from Gus and Jenn’s Wedding (2012)

March 6, 2022

I once performed piano accompaniment at numerous weddings, and was often the first choice out of a pool of a few. This was a constant in my life at that time; although nowadays it is a rare exception.

This particular wedding was for Gus & Jenn, as Jenn was my high school friend and I was honored to play a small role in this ceremony. Recorded using my iPod Classic (along with a Belkin stereo mic attachment), this album is – to date – the only one that captures one of my piano wedding performances.

Single Re-release: Something Just Like This

January 26, 2022

Rewind the clock to the summer of 2019. My friends Marc and Sarah are getting married in Tacoma, and I show up just seconds before the bridal march begins.

After finding the nearest open seat, the music begins – it’s me! Or a recording of me. And another cool memory made. My cover of this song by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay is, as of this moment, the most recent time I have provided music for any wedding, which used to be more of a constant than an exception.

This single presentation of this recording is accompanied by some cool B-sides from my past that are also wedding-based. On my queue of re-releases is one more vital wedding recording – coming soon.

10th Anniversary Album Re-release: 2011 Christmas Miracles

December 1, 2021

When I began my Christmas/holiday album series back in 2008, the goal was simply to include some Christmas tunes and then a “rarity” track or two – a “gift” album to help supplement my regular material. This 2011 edition breaks from that formula, providing a full album: 4 holiday tracks and 6 covers, and also a medley performed with my cousin Tim on cello two years earlier at a wedding.

Why did I decide to make this a full-sized album? Thinking back 10 years later, I don’t quite remember. Whatever the case, this hodge-podge of songs somehow works as a holiday album, and it does contain some interesting material.

The cover photo was taken in West Seattle outside the Mission Bar.

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