David Myles (singer-songwriter)
Encyclopedia
David Myles is a Canadian songwriter
/ performer/ recording artist originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick
. Myles lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2008, he and Nina Corfu were married. His parents are Carmel and Jim Myles.
in Sackville, New Brunswick
and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts
(Honours) in political science. In 2001, as part of his undergraduate studies, David took an exchange to a city two hours from Shanghai, China, to learn Mandarin. It was there that he bought his first guitar.
In May 2008, David released his third solo project, On the Line, which demonstrates his vocal versatility and musical dexterity. On the Line is a powerful and stylish blend of jazz, blues, gospel, pop and folk influences that has already garnered awards and nominations, including the 2009 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year Award.
In May 2009, David was honoured with the Mount Allison University Contemporary Achievement Award from the University’s Alumni Association. It is presented to a recent graduate for "outstanding achievement". The citation reads,
In 2009, David was one of thirteen songwriters chosen in the first-ever CBC Radio 2 Great Canadian Song Quest
. Myles was chosen to represent New Brunswick by a public vote, and commissioned to write a song about the Bay of Fundy
's historic Hopewell Rocks
. He recorded a new song, "Don't Drive Through", for the contest. Asked about the song, Myles said, "I wanted this tune to really resonate with New Brunswickers. Don't Drive Through is a lighthearted song that relates to the idea of driving through the province. I tried to create a song that I could sing forever, not just record as part of CBC's Canadian songbook, and I think I have."
In 2010, he performed at the Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. as well as other locations such as Granville Green in Cape Breton
, Nova Scotia
. In December, he played for four nights at the Carlton Music Bar in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Unbeknownst to him, the music bar's sound technician recorded the performances, capturing relaxed live shows. Those recordings became the source for his next album, Live at the Carlton.
In 2011, he received five nominations in the East Coast Music Awards and was nominated for a Music New Brunswick award. He played at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick
. He released two albums, Live at the Carlton and Into the Sun (October, 2011). The new record uses world music
rhythms from Brazilian and African music.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
/ performer/ recording artist originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. Myles lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2008, he and Nina Corfu were married. His parents are Carmel and Jim Myles.
Education
While growing up in Fredericton, Myles began playing trumpet at 10 years old and played in school bands. He attended Mount Allison UniversityMount Allison University
Mount Allison University is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville, New Brunswick. It is located about a half hour from the regional city of Moncton and 20 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport...
in Sackville, New Brunswick
Sackville, New Brunswick
Sackville is a Canadian town in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.Mount Allison University is located in the town...
and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Honours) in political science. In 2001, as part of his undergraduate studies, David took an exchange to a city two hours from Shanghai, China, to learn Mandarin. It was there that he bought his first guitar.
Career
Myles released his debut solo recording, Together and Alone, in 2005. Before it was released, he relocated to Calgary, Alberta. He returned to the Maritimes in 2006, moving to Halifax. There he released his second solo recording, Things Have Changed, which exposed him to national and international audiences. The album earned him industry recognition in the form of two Music Nova Scotia Awards, as well as nominations for both the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Best New Artist Award and the East Coast Music Awards Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year. His original song, “When it Comes My Turn” took home first place in the International Songwriting Competition and was the winning song at the 2008 Chris Austin Merlefest Songwriting Contest.In May 2008, David released his third solo project, On the Line, which demonstrates his vocal versatility and musical dexterity. On the Line is a powerful and stylish blend of jazz, blues, gospel, pop and folk influences that has already garnered awards and nominations, including the 2009 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year Award.
In May 2009, David was honoured with the Mount Allison University Contemporary Achievement Award from the University’s Alumni Association. It is presented to a recent graduate for "outstanding achievement". The citation reads,
Described as ‘a captivating performer, internationally-recognized songwriter and award-winning recording artist,’ David Myles is a fresh force on the Canadian entertainment landscape and his most recent release “On The Line” showcases his creativity, vocal versatility and musical dexterity.
In 2009, David was one of thirteen songwriters chosen in the first-ever CBC Radio 2 Great Canadian Song Quest
Great Canadian Song Quest
Great Canadian Song Quest is an annual Canadian songwriting contest, sponsored by CBC Radio 2. Each year's contest features 13 Canadian musical artists, one from each province and territory, who are asked to write a song about a location in their home province which is selected by a listener...
. Myles was chosen to represent New Brunswick by a public vote, and commissioned to write a song about the Bay of Fundy
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine...
's historic Hopewell Rocks
Hopewell Rocks
The Hopewell Rocks, also called the Flowerpot Rocks or simply The Rocks, are rock formations caused by tidal erosion in The Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site in New Brunswick....
. He recorded a new song, "Don't Drive Through", for the contest. Asked about the song, Myles said, "I wanted this tune to really resonate with New Brunswickers. Don't Drive Through is a lighthearted song that relates to the idea of driving through the province. I tried to create a song that I could sing forever, not just record as part of CBC's Canadian songbook, and I think I have."
In 2010, he performed at the Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. as well as other locations such as Granville Green in Cape Breton
Cape Breton
-Geographic locations:*Cape Breton Island, a Canadian island on the Atlantic Ocean coast*Cape Breton, a cape located at the eastern tip of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island*Cape Breton Highlands, a mountain range in northern Cape Breton Island...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. In December, he played for four nights at the Carlton Music Bar in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Unbeknownst to him, the music bar's sound technician recorded the performances, capturing relaxed live shows. Those recordings became the source for his next album, Live at the Carlton.
In 2011, he received five nominations in the East Coast Music Awards and was nominated for a Music New Brunswick award. He played at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
. He released two albums, Live at the Carlton and Into the Sun (October, 2011). The new record uses world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
rhythms from Brazilian and African music.
Awards and nominations
- ECMA Awards
- 2011 - Folk Recording of the Year, "Turn Time Off" (won)
- 2009 - Folk Recording of the Year, "On The Line" (won)
- 2009 - Entertainer of the Year, Male Solo Recording of the Year (nomination)
- 2007 - Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year, Things Have Changed (nomination)
- Great American Song Contest
- 2009 -Folk Category, “When It Comes My Turn” (won)
- Mount Allison University Alumni Early Achievement Award
- 2009 - Alumni Early Achievement Award
- Chris Austin (Merlefest) Songwriting Contest
- 2008 – Folk Category, “When It Comes My Turn” (won)
- International Songwriting Competition
- 2006 - Folk Category, "When It Comes My Turn" (won)
- John Lennon Songwriting ContestJohn Lennon Songwriting ContestThe John Lennon Songwriting Contest, named for the former member of The Beatles, is a songwriting competition for songwriters, open to amateurs and professionals. The contest accepts instrumental pieces as well as songs with a vocal component. Though all entries must include a CD, cassette, or...
- 2006 - Folk Singer-Songwriter Category, “When It Comes My Turn” (Finalist)
- CBC Radio 3 Bucky Adams Award
- 2008 - Most Canadian Song “Cape Breton” (nomination)
- Music Nova Scotia Awards
- 2008 - Album of the Year, On The Line, Entertainer of the Year, Folk Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Male Artist Recording of the Year
- 2007 - Folk/ Roots Recording of the Year, Things Have Changed, Male Artist of the Year Award (WON)
- Canadian Folk Music Awards
- 2007 - Best New Artist (nomination)
Discography
- Together and Alone (2005)
- Things Have Changed (2006)
- On The Line (2008)
- Turn Time Off (2010)
- Live at the Carlton (2011)
- Into the Sun (2011)
External links
- David Myles
- David Myles, CBC Radio 3 (Warning: live streaming CBC radio)
- David Myles and Family, in Wine and Song by Li Robbins, CBC Radio II, 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- David Myles Videos
- "Love Again" performed by David Myles at Stanfest 2008 (video, retrieved 2011-09-28).