David Hyams is an accomplished composer, producer, and multi - instrumentalist from Fremantle WA. Playing acoustic, electric and steel guitars, as well as mandolin, bass and other instruments, he has performed in a wide range of musical styles, from blues, rock and country to the progressive folk of popular WA acts Devils on Horseback, The Press Gang and The Miles To Go band.
A respected session guitarist and producer, David is known for his work with a range of Western Australian singer songwriters, including Lynn Hazelton and Bernard Carney. He has also worked as sideman to a number of international artists, and in early 2005 toured Australia and Ireland with acclaimed Irish performer Sean Keane.
In 2000, David emerged as a composer and artist in his own right with the release of his critically acclaimed debut “Miles To Go”. The 13 track instrumental album attracted considerable radio airplay across Australia and a string of great reviews at home and abroad. Live performances by his 7 piece “Miles To Go band” followed, the band soon becoming a festival favourite. In October 2005, he released his follow up album, “Knowing the Place”.
David has composed for documentary and feature film, with his music being aired on numerous TV soundtracks. As a songwriter he's collaborated with many artists and has been 3 times nominated in the WAM 'song of the year'.
David has had a long involvement with WA indigenous musicians, including Peter Brandy (WA's Indigenous male Artist of the Year 2009) and Kerriane Cox. He has worked on a number of projects with Aboriginal and regional communities, including as a co-ordinator of an ArtsWA’s community music project in the Central Desert community of Jameson (Mantamaru).
David continues to work from his Fremantle base as a full time musician, composer and producer. He is a member of ArtsWA’s contemporary music panel and longstanding WAM board member, also having held thethe President ‘s position ifrom 2006-2008.
Awards
1993 WAM song contest, Second Prize, Folk category (with Lynn Hazelton)
2000 WAMI Awards, Nomination “Best Original Folk Act”.
2002 WAMI Awards, Nomination “Best World Music Act” (with Tok Pan Tok
2004 WAM song contest, Finalist, Country category (with Lynn Hazelton)
2005 WAMI Awards, Nomination, “Best World Music Act”.
2005 Australian Songwriters Asn. Song Contest, Finalist,
2005 WAM song contest, Finalist, World/Folk
2006 WAMI Awards, Nomination, “Best World Music Act”.
2006 Music Oz awards, Finalist (runner Up), “Instrumental’ category
2007 WAMI Awards, Nomination, “Best World Music Act”
2008 WAMI Awards, Nomination, “Best World Music Act”
2008 ASA awards, Finalist, Folk/World and Instrumental categories
2008 WAMI Awards, Nomination, “Best World Music Act”
2008 ASA awards, Finalist, Folk/World and Instrumental categories
2009 WAMI Awards, Nomination, “Best World Music Act”
REVIEWS/QUOTES
"The overall theme...is an exploration of the confluence between traditional Celtic folk and American-influenced New Acoustic styles, and it succeeds in staking out a patch of ground all of its own..." Steve Barnes, Fairbridge Festival Artistic Director
"Intelligent, well-crafted, cosmopolitan celtic-styled music. Worth investigating." FROOTS Magazine (UK)
"Some of the loveliest pieces sound like really good "traditional" tunes that one's somehow managed to miss hearing before - no small compliment to David's skills as composer..." Doug Spencer, Producer, The Planet ABC Radio National
"...adroit changes of rhythm and style, as slow reels shift gear to full-flown dance mode, and acoustic guitar gives way to pipes with churning bass... There are John Renbourne-like sunlit meadows of sub-medieval guitar in Watching the Wheels; searing deserts of slide Dobro in Big Sky Country; and the odd hooley up the back of the pub in Old Speckled Hen/Three for the Road." Ken Ferguson, The West Australian Newspaper
"The music is full of clever twists, subtle, gentle cultural references and poignant moments. Anyone who's driven across red earth under a vast sky will recognize the references in the wide notes and the atmospheric acoustic melodies." Kayt Davies, Australian Vital Magazine
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