Songs, performance and other stuff
After a busking apprenticeship in Europe, David recorded a solo album 'Paint' released in 1995.
His songs have been performed and recorded by an eclectic range of
artists including June Tabor, Peter Corry, Siobhan Skates, Mary Duff,
Susan Tomelty, Cattle Company, Brigid O'Neill, Romeo Texas and Jennifer
Licko. The title song 'Paint' from his 90s album featured in an
Australian movie, The Extra.
Born in County Antrim, his newspaper feature writing, including a
series of articles on the early years of Van Morrison, won him a
Rothman's Journalism Prize. David has played at festivals,
including two appearances at Queen's Festival in Belfast, Ardoyne
Fleadh, five appearances at Belfast Folk Festival and Sligo Arts
Festival.
Along with performances on TV and radio, and a showcase in New York,
three of his songs featured on the 'Alive in Belfast' album released in
1995. His poetry has been published by Faber and Faber, Hard Lines 3
in 1987. A short story was broadcast by the BBC, with another
included in the 2002 Fish anthology. He received recognition with an
award from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association for his story 'The
Haircut' which has since been broadcast around the world.
After joining United Song Makers - a venture inspired by the New York
Brill Building creative process - the group's activity was the subject
of a BBC documentary.
A talk with performance for the 'Library Lectures'
in Ireland - Soundbites from the Soul: The Psyche and Times of
Songwriting in the Twentieth Century - was described by the series
director as a "masterly achievement". The event was repeated in 2001 at
Belfast's Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, and as a BBC 'Music Live'
event in 2004.
LYRICS
David has developed a particular passion for writing lyrics, having put words to the music of Garry O'Briain and Steven Gallagher (but also, music to the lyrics of Garvin Crawford and others.)
Other co-writers include Rosemary Woods, Siobhan Skates, Brendan Monaghan and Matthew Martin.