About DecoWaves

Musician, Effectologist, Technologist, Teacher, & Dad

Having been captivated from an early age, Don Slesnick III has indulged in the creative pursuits of music for more than forty years. The journey started as it does for many, with classical piano lessons at a young age, followed by a teenage interest in guitar; this, as his ears were awakened by the soaring leads of David Gilmour and the mesmerizing delay-laden riffs of the Edge. Although Don joined the high school drumline and learned to play percussion in concert band, a future Neil Peart he was not meant to be.

During his time at the University of Florida, Don honed his guitar skills with private lessons and credits his instructor, Jeff Ladenheim, with introducing him to a diverse selection of artists and albums, all of which expanded his musical palate. Don was invited to join the rock-reggae band Putney Swope as the lead guitarist, performing at local venues and events around Gainesville. Upon his return to Coral Gables, Don transitioned his focus from live performances to the exploration of effects and creative composition.

Away from music (i.e., in his “day job”), Don stayed true to another lifelong passion – technology – founding DecoNetworks LLC, a boutique IT consulting firm focused on delivering technology solutions to small businesses and nonprofits. Quite often, the two worlds of music and technology would intermingle in various projects along the way.

With life starting to settle into a comfortable rhythm, along with a growing family, Don was  introduced to Von Henry who shared a love of music and performance, sparking an instant friendship and, within months the dynamic duo Funk Pedal was born. Small venues, art festivals, corporate events, and community fundraisers all welcomed their repertoire of originals and covers, featuring a healthy selection of classic rock, folk, alt rock/contemporary, and plenty of reggae.

Today, Don draws inspiration from a diverse variety of iconic musicians, finding comfort in writing instrumentals that feature slow and melodic leads over warm/rich washes of delays, reverbs, and modulation — a style that closely aligns to the Shoegazing genre, invoking images of a lazy daydream. Not limiting himself to such stylized works, Don also explores the mix of alt-rock vibes with the rhythmic stylings of (surprise!) electronic dance music (EDM).

Don’s recent musical projects involve his passion for forging strong ties with key players in the music industry including various gear manufacturers and product designers, artists, social media personalities, retail establishments, and recording specialists. Sharing insight and knowledge through these relationships has helped Don facilitate and support the perspectives shared throughout the DecoWaves blog.

In 2023, after some meaningful reflection and, with thoughtful encouragement from family and friends, Don jumped head-first into teaching music at a local elementary school.  As a professional educator, he continues to grow and enhance the program while bringing in his real-world experience to spark the creative imagination and wonder of his students.

Finally, Don is particularly committed to community engagement and service thereto. Having previously served as the Executive Director for both the South Florida Digital Alliance and the Junior Orange Bowl, he remains an active member of the Orange Bowl Committee, an engaged leader within the St. Philip’s Episcopal parish, and serves on an advisory board for the City of Coral Gables, Florida.

For more information and to connect on LinkedIn, visit:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/slesnick3/