Dave Simpson walked out of a stint in a rehab centre at the age of 21 and emerged a new person, energized and ready to tell his story. He does so in songs that "are graced by uncluttered, direct lyrics that reveal the craft of a man with nothing to hide" (Fast Forward magazine). Dave's musical style often garners comparisons to artists such as David Gray, Joseph Arthur, and Damien Rice. They walk the line between genres such as folk, blues, country, and soul, never settling themselves completely on one style. Having released two albums of new original material in 2006 ("So, Sober" and "Live at Karma"), Dave will continue his prolific pace by entering the studio again in the spring of 2007 to work on another full length release. He is currently playing shows across his native Canada, making new fans at every performance, where he delivers his music with such passion and emotion that audiences can't help being drawn in.
Bio
September 18, 2004, 2:00 PM, Zilker Park, Austin, Texas. That was the exact time and place that Dave Simpson found his calling. He had spent much of the previous twenty one years of his life struggling with personal demons and a substance abuse problem that eventually landed him in rehab at age 20. Dave walked out on his 21st birthday, having regained his life, and has not touched alcohol or drugs since.
Dave took a trip to the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September of 2004, and there he saw a relative unkown singer/songwriter named Ray Lamontagne. Dave had always been a passionate music lover, and had played guitar for several years, but never as a performer. In Ray's performance, Dave saw a man that telling stories of his experiences with such emotion that he was inspired to do the same.
Based out of Calgary, Alberta, Dave has built a loyal following of fans, and continues to make more with every performance. His debut album, "So, Sober", chronicles his experiences while jumping between musical genres, and has garnered praise from critics and fans alike. Drawing comparisons to artists including Damien Rice, David Gray, Joseph Arthur, Joe Cocker, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, and many others, the album is an intimate look at life through the eyes of a young man with nothing to hide. Fast Forward magazine described the songs as "simple, powerful tunes that lay out his story with lyrical jabs that lead to a knockout", and the Calgary Sun added that the overall product is a "sublimely modest and impassioned disc".
Dave followed his full length studio debut by recording a live record of new material at a local Calgary music hotspot that was forced to close its doors. "Live at Karma" was recorded on November 22, 2006, and released in December of the same year. The songs still feature the same emotional delivery as the previous record, but also signify a maturation in Dave's songwriting. He takes on a wider range of topics and does so with more insight than before. Releasing two records of new original material within a calendar year may be more than most artists care to take on, but Dave plans to continue the prolific pace by going back into the studio in the Spring of 2007 to begin work on another new recording.
Dave's live show features his smoky, impassioned vocals, honest songwriting, and his ability to have a crowd laughing and hanging on every word spoken. Because of Dave's eclectic musical style, he has been able to share musical bills with artists such as Guy Davis, Kyle Riabko, John Wort Hannam, Lorrie Matheson, Danny Michel, as well as many others, and he has graced stages all across Canada.
Having only been a full time musician for a short time, Dave keeps everything he has accomplished in perspective, "The best compliment that I have received was from someone who told me that watching my show was proof that I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing. And that's exactly the way I feel."