I’m David Myles. I’m a singer songwriter from the east coast of Canada. I love soul music, I’m an obsessive collector of records, and I play an acoustic guitar. I’ve toured a lot in Canada, in the UK and a bit in the States. This will be my first trip to Australia coming up. I can’t wait.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My first memory of performingwas probably doing a lip synch contest in my elementary school. I did “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis. I remember being pretty terrified but overall enjoying it quite a bit and thinking that it went over well. I guess I was a bit hooked after that. My dad was probably my first inspiration in terms of performance. He directed high school musicals throughout my childhood so there was always a fair amount of music and performance going on.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
I’m pretty sure the first concert I went to, at least on my own, was The Barenaked Ladies. I saw them in my hometown of Fredericton, New Brunswick at the Playhouse. It’s pretty cool. I was probably around 10 then and this past year I actually played at the same venue in my hometown with Steven Page (the former lead singer of that band) himself. It was great.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Most of the records in my parents collection were classical records. I think they had about three non classical records. And yeah, I think I now have them all. Jose Feliciano, Roberta Flack and Cat Stevens. I actually took a bunch of the classical records as well. They don’t listen to their vinyl anymore so I took it. I can’t complain.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
The last year I’ve been hooked on Jorge Ben, the Brazilian musician. He made some insanely great records in the early 70s. I’ve also been loving this Canadian Jazz singer named Suzie Arioli. I listen to it a lot when I travel cause it’s so chill. It’s perfect for relaxing on a flight. If I’m looking for something a bit more upbeat and intense, my go to album on my iPod is definitely Nas IllMatic. My favourite rap album of all time.
How do you find new music?
Most of the music I listen to is older. Usually made sometime before 1975 or so. I love collecting vinyl so most of my finds are by way of sifiting through piles of used records in stores wherever I travel. I’m kind of obsessed and have founds tons of great stuff over the last few years.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
My main ritual is putting on my suiit. I always wear a suit when I perform. At first it was about bringing a certain level of professionalism to what I was doing but over time I’ve come to realise how important putting on the suit, tying the tie, ironing my shirt, etc. It’s my time to start focusing. It makes me feel a bit like Clark Kent.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
That’s a hard question. I think that it would probably be a world music festival. I’d love to curate a festival that brought in music from places that people might be less familiar with. It’d be cool if it was an outdoor festival somehwhere on the east coast of Canada. It’s where I live and it really is an exceptionally beautiful spot. Not sure how many people would come cause I’d love it to be mostly musician and music itself that most people were less familiar with. A fairly big challenge. Not sure I’m ready to sign up for running a festival just yet.
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
I’d go for practical items: new socks, a copy of the New Yorker, the presenter’s favourite record, a post card for my wife, a bike for my time in the city, etc. Maybe I’d go for a few luxuries, a huge meal post gig of high end local food would be sweet, some Swiss chocolate, afternoon tea and scones before the gig, maybe even during soundcheck. It’s good to dream.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I know it may be an obvious choice but I’d go with Paul Kelly. He’s wicked. If that couldn’t happen I’d go with the Hilltop Hoods. They’re friends with a Canadian rapper I work with alot named Classified. I reckon we’d get along well.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
It kind of depends on the record. My newest record is kind of a daytime, sitting in the sun, lounging, maybe barbecuing kind of record. The record before that is more of a late night, romance kind of record. The live show goes for a little of both.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
I’m heading to Australia on Christmas day and I’ll be playing Woodford Folk Festival from the 27th of December to Jan 1st. Then on Jan 5th, I’m in Melbourne and I’m in Sydney on Jan 6th, 7th and 8th. Check out my website for details. Would be great to see some folks out.
My new record Into The Sun is available in stores in Austraila through MGM distribution. It just came out earlier this month!
Photograph © Mat Dunlap
