all Videos and Music to listen to can be found on www.delaneydavidson.com/epk
DELANEY DAVIDSON
Three times winner of the NZ Country Music Song of the Year Award, winner of the NZ Country Music Album Of The Year, Nominated for the Taite Music Prize, the coveted NZ Apra Silver Scroll Award, Winner of One Man Band Competitions in Zurich, and attracting acclaim for his recorded work, not just for his solo albums but also for his work with Marlon Williams and their “Sad But True” series. The live show “Totally Wiell” and his visionary production on Tami Neilson’s latest album “Dynamite” have also earnt great praise from the media.
Delaney Davidson is a New Zealand Singer Songwriter, Musician, and Artist. As well as forging his own identity as a figure of the European Tour Circuit, He has been a strong part of the Voodoo Rhythm Family of Switzerland since 2003 and has started to build a name for himself in the USA. This year he was invited to play 5 Official Showcases at SXSW and WOMAD Charlton Park 2015.
The guitar and harmonica of his simple live show have become his trademark, a small battered suitcase as his props table for the magic show, looping sounds over each other to achieve the full drive of a juke band. Reverbed vocals and the slap back beats he builds capture the sound of Chicago’s Chess Records Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters.
Generally dealing with the darker side of things, Davidson’s lyrical content ranges from classic murder ballads to songs with a deeper insight into the human condition and a sympathy and acceptance of the quirks of life and human foibles. Combining the older style of beerhall musician and the traditions of pantomime and audience involvement his live show is renowned for its dance competitions and sing-alongs.
Initially inspired by the songs of Hank Williams and the Birthday Party, and the performance styles of distilled Johnny Cash and dead-pan Buster Keaton, Delaney synthesizes this into his own persona. A wry sense of humour, some theatre of unease, and a voice classed as “not conventionally beautiful” all combine to breathe life and space into the niche he has carved out for himself, winning him critical acclaim across the world for his original take on things.
AWARDS
Nominated for The Taite Music Prize 2015
Producer of the 2015 Country Music Album of the Year - Tami Nailson’s “Dynamite” .
Winner of the 2013 New Zealand Music Awards Country Music Album Of The Year for “Sad But True , The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol One”. A collaboration with Marlon Williams.
Three times winner of the APRA New Zealand Country Music Song Of The Year : 2014: “Whiskey and Kisses” cowritten with Tami Neilson and taken from Tami’s album “Dynamite”, also produced by Delaney Davidson. 2013: Bloodletter cowritten with Marlon Williams and taken from the album Sad But True, The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol One. 2012: You're a Loser, from the album Bad Luck Man. One Man Band Champion - Zurich 2011. Sad Song Competition Winner Berlin 2010.
DISCOGRAPHY
2007: Rough Diamond 2008: Ghost Songs 2010: Self Decapitation (Voodoo Rhythm) 2011: Bad Luck Man (Voodoo Rhythm) 2012: “Sad But True , The Secret History of Country Music Songwriting Vol One”. (with Marlon Williams) (Lyttelton Records) 2013: Sad But True Vol 2 (with Marlon Williams )( Rough Diamond ) 2014: “Sad But True, Juke Box B Sides” (with Marlon Williams) (Lyttelton Records) 2014: Produced “Dynamite” for Tami Neilson 2014: Swim Down Low (Outside Inside /Rough Diamond) 2015 : Lucky Guy ( Rough Diamond - September 4th 2015)
PRESS QUOTES
“Davidson has waited long enough, despite much deserving work, for a real ‘breakthrough’ album. If justice prevails, his time has come.” No Depression July 2014
“ Davidson excels at songwriting” 4 Stars - NZ Listener 2015 ( for Lucky Guy)
“ Another brilliant collection from one of New Zealand's best.” Lydia Jenkin, NZ Herald 29.5.14 (Swim Down Low”)
“Whiskey and Kisses is an adult Willie'n'Emmylou tear-stained barroom dialogue which would enhance the career of any Nashville or Austin singer and songwriter. It's extraordinary.” Graham Reid NZ Herald 27.3.14
“The relish on Davidson’s lips ,however,suggests the Devil ought to be the one running scared” Q Magazine (UK) 4 Stars August 2012
“ ..Delaney Davidson - one of our country’s best and hardest to define songwriters ..” GrooveGuide Ricardo Kerr 8.11.12
“ ... a haunting power” ……Nick Bollinger NZ Listener Nov 17th 2012
"Wonderful" BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE (UK) (review of Bad Luck Man album)
"Sublime...raw and original" BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE (UK) (review of EP)
"Like it was recorded in some revival tent in full flow" THE BEAT (UK)
"A rattling, twanging celebration" ***** INDEPENDENT (UK)
OTHER PROJECTS
Melbourne 1993 to 1996, ART Exhibitions : Nocturnal Paintings and Prints.
The Road to Nod (lead role) (Slowboat Films)
Theatre Music for the Basel Stadt Theatre . Drei Groschen Oper.
Executive Producer for the "Voodoo Rhythm 5 Short FIlms" project between NZ film maker Damien Shatford and Swiss Label Voodoo Rhythm.
Produced Christchurch Arts Festival smash hit "Totally Weill" a selection of Kurt Weill Music http://www.artsfestival.co.nz/totallyweill
WEBSITE
http://www.delaneydavidson.com
Videos can be found on the website. View "Little Heart" here: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUddJTVmwqI
For media and management enquiries please contact Pippa Ryan-Kidd at Southbound Distribution. email: pip@southbound.co.nz tel: +64 9 578 3664 mobile: +021 626 553