Check out David's Topical Song Project @ www.songsforchange.com

'the fresh-faced saviour of the Scottish protest tradition'  The Scotsman

David believes that music is not simply about entertainment.  Since he started writing songs he's been interested in fusing his commitment to social justice and peace with the music.  Many have commented that his writing and sound reminds them of the 1960s generation of singer-songwriters who literally 'sang out' about the issues of the day.  Just think of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary in the States; and Ewan McColl, and Hamish Henderson in Scotland.  They all made great music and at the same time spoke for an anti-war, anti-segragation and anti-poverty generation.  Where is today's generation of socially and politically minded singers and songwriters?  There are plenty out there, but the music industry and mainstream media fail to make them visible. 

David would like to contribute to changing this situation by helping raise the visibility of topical music.  This is not just by singing songs with a message, but also through organising musical events which contribute to a culture of peace and democracy.  That means questioning why our troops are in Iraq, why innocent people are being illegally detained for years in our prisons, why we accept poverty in our society and exploitation on a global scale?  

David has organised lots of events and brought together hundreds of people through music to reflect on the situation in Iraq, to raise money for vicitms of natural disasters and to protest the (questionable) re-election of George Bush Jr.  He has brought leading political singer-songwriters like Roy Bailey, David Rovics, Jez Lowe and Tom Neilson to Edinburgh, and has recorded with Roy Bailey and Tommy Sands.  Occasionally he organises events under the Songs For Change banner, which to date have included a 12 hour protest song-a-thon, a gig bringing together local politicians and songwriters on a musical platform, and an international anti-war songwriting competition.

The Songs For Change website inlcudes over 100 contemporary topical songs from all around the world, all of which can be downloaded with lyrics for free from www.songsforchange.com (click on The Songs).

Not In Our Name CD

David has produced a compilation album of songs about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and released it under the Songs For Change label. It's called Not In Our Name and includes songs by some of the finest names in contemporary folk music: Roy Bailey, Emmas Revolution, Mark Erelli, Dick Gaughan, Eliza Gilkyson, Robb Johnson, Jose, Jez Lowe, Amy Martin, Rory McLeod, Jim Page, Leon Rosselson, David Rovics, Seize The Day, and David himself. The songs by Amy Martin and Jose were submitted to the Songs For Change competition in 2006 and as winners they feature on the album.  All the contributors have donated their material to the CD which is a not-for-profit fundraiser for  Stop The War Coalition. 

This CD is available for purchase over the Songs For Change website: www.songsforchange.com