Five years ago a web designer started writing on his blog. He wrote about his boyfriend, his values and his dreams. He started making YouTube videos where he discussed his positive philosophy on life, friendships and relationships.
Then one day he made a YouTube video about looking out his apartment window and catching his neighbor masturbating, he didn’t film that, he just talked about it, but with that risque video blog, all of a sudden Davey Wavey had a huge audience.
While there are many videos on the internet that everyone has seen, Davey Wavey is different, after hearing him talk about his self pleasuring neighbor we’ve kept on watching and listening to his take on how to live a better life. Regular followers of his posts have followed him as he’s moved around the U.S and Canada, we’ve met his friends and gotten to know his dog Chipotle.
Every few days he posts a new video, always sans-shirt, where he talks about life and the choices we make.
Davey’s now given up his regular day job as his online life has become a full time career. Tune into Davey Wavey on his blogs, You Tube channels, live broadcasts, Twitter – and pretty much any other online media channel you can think of for a daily dose of positivity.
Davey Wavey spoke to OUTinPerth about his newly single status, online dating and spreading the happy vibes.
You’re recently single, how does someone get your attention?
I’m definitely attracted to guys who love and appreciate the relationship that they have with themselves. I think it’s so attractive when a guy has a strong and healthy relationship with himself because it radiates outward to everyone around him. If you want to catch my attention, send out some good vibrations. And if all else fails, try Grindr.
Looking back on the last five years of blogging and making videos, what stands out?
What really stands out is the amazing community of people, I call them ‘blog buddies’, that have become the backbone of all the blogs and videos that I do. Without them, I’d never be able to do what I do. I feel extremely blessed to make my living in such a creative, fun and purposeful way. I pinch myself every day.
You’re comical song Headless Homos is about people never having a face shot on Grindr, and you also made a video about someone sending a crotch shot as their second post in a conversation… So, what makes good Grindr etiquette?
I think the golden rule of online dating is to not be a fucking douche. I like to say, ‘Be kinder when you hit the Grindr.’ Of course, that implies not having marginalising profile text like, ‘no fatties or fems.’ I always think it’s wiser to frame your profile in terms of what you do want rather than what you don’t. it’s definitely a more positive (and attractive) approach.
The queer scene can often be filled with negativity and bitchiness, how to you keep your positive outlook?
Our attitudes are choices and I’ve just always found that choosing a positive attitude is more conducive to a fulfilling life. I know that some people are more interested in negativity and bitchiness, but that is their path and not mine. Maybe that works for them, but this is what works for me.
I also don’t drink that might have something to do with it.
You’ve got two YouTube Channels, workout videos, Blog TV and a blog, did we miss anything? What’s coming up next?
Make that three YouTube channels, workout videos, BlogTV and two blogs. Being Davey Wavey is a full time job but it has to be one of the best jobs in the world. There are lots of exciting things coming down the road, but as of right now, my tits are sealed. You’ll just have to stay tuned!
Earlier this year fellow video blogger Tyler Oakley was very critical of a post of yours, and some people considered it offensive. Following this you deleted the post but also received a lot of negative feedback, what did you learn from this experience?
I do my best to ensure that my videos are, at their core, infused with a good message and yes, the video in question definitely rubbed some people the wrong way. I fucked up. From the experience, I learned to be more sensitive in creating my videos.
I agree that we have a responsibility to call each other out when one of us drops the ball, but I also think we have a responsibility to do it in a productive way. At the end of the day, we’re all playing for the same team, and it behooves our movement to play nice.
How big a decision was it to give up your job and become a full time blogger?
At the time, it seemed like a very big decision. But the reality is, when you do something that you love in a way that helps other people, how can you fail? It seemed like a huge risk at the time, but there’s nothing risky about pursuing your passions.
Is wearing a shirt your perfect disguise? Do you get recognized in public now?
With 55 million videos watched, I do get spotted in public from time to time. I love when it happens, it’s so nice to meet the amazing people that interact through my YouTube channels and blogs. And yes, if I’m wearing a shirt, it totally does throw people for a loop.
What advice would you give to someone starting up a video blog?
If you’re interested in creating a video blog, ask yourself, ‘Why?’ What is your motivation? As more and more people are learning that you can make a living from YouTube, lots of folks are motivated by the financial benefits. But when you’re just starting out, my advice would be to forget about all of that. Do it if, and only if, you’d do it for free. Do it because you love whatever you’re doing and because you are sharing something that adds value to people’s lives. Viewers will recognize your authenticity and relate to it.
Check out Davey Wavey’s blog www.breaktheillusion.com
Graeme Watson
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