Dan Raza chats with Dave Sutherland, a London based singer-songwriter in the Americana vein, with nudges towards the country bluesy folk genres. His fingerstyle guitar, melodic vocal and London charm have not gone unnoticed. As an accomplished performer filled with raw energy and emotion, Dave’s music speaks of life, love and London with the eye of an artist and the ear of a poet.
His presence on-stage is fresh and engaging, and a two-decade stint in the music business saw his last album, ‘On The Waiting List’, reach No1 on the US Americana charts, cementing his place amongst the aristocracy of UK Americana Country artists. Dave’s new album ‘Last Drop of Empty‘ is produced by Grammy Award winning producer Stacy Parrish and legendary Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna bass player Jack Casady, who also plays bass on the album
You can listen to the entire interview and music HERE
Dan Raza is an acclaimed singer-songwriter based in London UK, he also produces a monthly radio show called Spirit and Roots where he does in depth interviews with leading songwriters which can be found here on our podcast page.
After more than 20 years of treading the musical boards, it was a headline gig at London’s legendary Troubadour where Dave Sutherland first met the US Grammy Award winning Producer Stacy Parrish. Talk turned to them working together on new music, with Stacy bringing Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna’s Jack Casady into the fold. Preliminary recording sessions were put in place, trips to Europe and Los Angeles were booked and the groundwork for Dave’s forthcoming album, Last Drop Of Empty, began to take shape. The record was produced by Stacy and Jack, with Jack also playing bass.
Dave’s first love is playing live, his songs speak to his audience of life, love and London. For the last few years, he’s been touring his One Man Americana Country showcase around the UK, in between trips to America and Europe. Sometimes joined by the multi talented Matt Percival and drummer extraordinaire Jim Kimberley, he’s cemented his place as part of the Americana aristocracy.
It was when Dave returned from a US tour that he formed The Rude Vandals, a completely thrown together affair even though they had all played together in various guises. A tight but loose rhythm section in Andy Ireland and Matt Percival, drums and bass respectively. Multi instrumentalist Martin Brown and fronted by the two harmony entwined vocals of Dave and Siobhan Parr, a seasoned singer songwriter in her own right. They enjoyed success on the London circuit until they went their separate ways.
The ‘right place right time’ scenario helped to secure Dave’s last album to date, On The Waiting List.
Producer Martin Levan owner of Red Kite records signed Dave to his label after a showcase of demos and sessions recorded in deepest Wales. It was released in June 2008 and received great reviews both in the UK and US.
And the highlight being the album reaching No.1 in the Americana Charts stateside. Dave’s last 2 shows in the USA were with Al Stewart and finally Ian McClagan.
Dave Dix was approached to produce American Refrigerator. Recorded in Escapade studios, an earthy and honest album with many songs receiving acclaim, BBC Radio regularly spun the album and with good US airplay too rumours of Willie Nelsons interest in the title track came and went. The cyclical write, gig, record, gig, travel continued…
His album Comfortable Junction was recorded in Escapade studios Greenwich in ’99 and again tours of the States followed with TV appearances and festivals. Back on the London acoustic scene, saw performances at The Kashmir Klub, a London basement mecca for songwriters.
And back to where it all started in 96 and another chance support that brought Dave to where he is now: opening for the legendary Bert Jansch and serving a two year apprenticeship before cutting the apron strings and heading to America to showcase his act amongst the American elite. And guess what? They loved him!
You can listen to the entire interview and music HERE
Website: www.thedavesutherland.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedavesutherland
Twitter: twitter.com/thedavesutherl1
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