Damien Rice, Ryan Adams (especially his outros), The Cure (especially their intros), Dar Williams, Ani Difranco, Violent Femmes, Red House Painters (Have You Forgotten How to Love Yourself), Tim Flannery, Ben Elton, Tom Robbins, Gillian Welch, Kristina Olsen, Water, Maps, Climate, Sarah Harmer, The Weakerthans, Neil Young (solo in Like a Hurricane), Fremantle, Halifax, Hobart (the salty towns), Martha Wainwright, Calum Caryle, Elephants, Skinning Dipping, Satellites, U2, The Guild League, Aurora, Simon Nield, Hakeas (the trees), Tawny Frogmouths (the birds), James Lovelock (our discussions about Daisyworld), Sally Dastey, Woylies (the endangered marsupials), Kavisha Mazzella, Philosophy of Science, The Dice Man, The Cashews, Luka Bloom, Nick Drake, Mark Kozelek, snow on Salt Spring Island, Together (the Swedish film), Billy Bragg, Naomi Klein, Clive Hamilton, Graham Chittleborough (especially his book Shouldn't Our Grandchildren Know), Kisses, Wild dancing, Mary Kostakidis, David Attenborough, Douglas Adams, the Isle of Rum, Girls with pigtails, the Wintership, the change of the seasons, local produce, old buildings (built to last), Tom Petty, juicy mangoes (this wasn't always the case), riding my bike at nights along quiet streets, Jack Cohen & Ian Stewart, the colour of things in the late afternoon sun, waves, Mick Thomas, Spirit of the West, M Ward, Orion Magazine, The Davilak, Satellite imagery, the big picture, curves, the crunch of snow, the squeak of sand and I wouldn't know where to start with all my local friends...
You can mail order Dave's "Little Scientist" EP here, using the secure PayPal system:
Wanted in all states and territories for honest song writing, Dave Robertson tells philosophical stories through driving indie-folk-pop songs. His beautifully unaffected voice and mercifully unschooled guitar playing appeal to young and old. Thoughtful lyrics combine personal and political musings, witty word play, everyday frankness and just enough passing detail to draw listeners into the subject of the song. Influences include Ryan (not Bryan) Adams, Ani Difranco, Dar Williams, Damien Rice and Bright Eyes.
Dave's Little Scientist EP has received radio airplay on at least 24 stations around Australia including Triple J, the national youth broadcaster. The track “Other Body Parts” was recently selected by Foghorn Records for Sounds Like Cafe. The compilation CD series goes out to over 1200 cafes around Australia and has previously featured Paul Kelly and Sarah Blasko. The song debuted at 9 on the Sounds Like Cafe charts just behind fellow Sandgroper Abbe May. DJ Nana Mex, founder of Downunda Thunda Radio, describes it as “one of my top 20 all time fav tracks. Play it at least once a week on air”. “Lost and Found” can be found on Blue Tongue Records Rocky Blues Volume 3 compilation CD. The EP was Nexus Car Share's feature CD in July 2007. You can read reviews of Dave's songs on Triple J Unearthed.
Dave's live performances have covered three continents and a plethora of bars, cafes, radio studios, folk clubs, house concerts, festivals and more. Gig highlights include:
Being nominated a finalist in the Swan Hotel's Step Up Live song writing competition
He's come a long way from learning the Star Wars theme on clarinet at school. Violent Femmes, The Cure, REM, Radiohead and Billy Bragg inspired Dave to pick up the guitar. Backpacking in Europe he discovered he had a knack for entertaining and started performing at open mic nights in Edinburgh. In 2003 Dave released 15 of his songs on the home-recorded “Third Draft” CD, with which he toured to Canada. Moving to the musical port city of Fremantle he teamed up with experienced producers Pete Grandison and Peter Anthony to record the six track “Little Scientist EP” at Shanghai Twang studios. Backing vocals from Tessa Lee, slide guitar from Craig Sinclair and percussion from Simon Miskin and Pete Smith were a fitting addition. The CD was launched at Kidogo Arthouse in 2006, with Fresh Blast sponsorship from RTR radio and the WA government’s Healthway program. Following its great reception and several mini tours to the east coast, a full length studio album of new material is being recorded this winter.
Hi Dave, just letting you know that our trio, Trigger, has a CD launch at the Davalak in Freo on Friday 12th June. We will also have Mike de Velta and the Davs playing for the night, and it should be a great party atmosphere. Also some suprise guests. If you are free it would be great to see you there. Cheers mate, Chris
Hey Dave. Thanks for responding to our current Friends drive and adding Bands@Manjimup. We are doing this because we have a few really exciting events coming up like our recent concert, on Friday 20th, featuring Elora Danan (photo below) on their debut album tour, Manji prog rock band Ashoka and Perth ambient rockers Laced Affair. It was a high energy show with fantastic sound, and those who came got to meet the bands for more than an hour afterwards. The pictures are now up as a slideshow. Check them out at the top of our profile.
Next, we'll be hosting the biggest regional event in this year's WAMi Festival calendar, on 22nd May. The support acts: Abbe May, Sneaky Weasel Gang, Desert Radio and Ashoka. The headline act for the concert needs to change and will be announced asap. Following day Abbe (songwriting) , Drew Goddart (guitar) from Karnivool, Roy Martinez (bass) and Nick Johnson (drum tuning, cymbal selection and kit set-up) from Eskimo Joe will feature as lecturers in our B@M Youth Muso Workshops.
The June gig will feature an even bigger headline band, probably supported by local heroes Ashoka and Electrostatik.
We'll keep you updated with bulletins and you may want to tap into the bands listed on our Top 40. You'll always find the performers at our next gig right up the top. At the other end you'll find bands that have recently played, followed by acts, who want to play at B@M. Send us a comment if you like them and they maybe get the go.
It was great to meet you guys! We had the best time over there and can't wait to go back. Let us know if you're ever on the East Coast. Good luck with it all and stay in touch! Liesl xo
Hi Dave, I really enjoyed your performance at JB O'Reillys. Love what you did on the guitar, some special and very subtle stuff. Looking forward to hearing your CD. Peace and happiness mate, Chris.
Hey Mate hope the recording is going well, I sent you and email with a few questions, regarding some venues and any other knowledge or info you might have.
Thanks for befriending us Dave. We will indeed be over for Fairbridge and maybe a little extra. :) Carl over with totally gourdgeous too... Have fun at Nannup! Penny
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