Dave Arden is a Gunditjmara/Googatha Songman. For the last twenty-five years Dave has worked with many of the great Indigenous acts including Hard Time Band, Koori Youth Band, Bart Willoughby, Mixed Relations, and Building Bridges. Dave has toured extensively with Archie Roach’s band, both nationally and internationally, and performs his own material on Archie's second album 'Jamu Dreaming'. He has also built up a body of work with other artists.

 

Dave recently toured south-east Australia with Archie Roach, launching Archie's new album, 'Journey'. Vanessa Lahey saw one of the shows..

 

"What a treat! To see a handful of iconic Australian musicians in such an intimate setting as the Brisbane Powerhouse. The performance by Archie Roach and his accompanying guests was a settling experience. The relaxed atmosphere of the Visy Theatre provided an ideal platform for just over three hours of what I would call traditional Australian folk music and lore.

The gig was a part of Archie’s tour launching his new album ‘Journey’, travelling with him was music legend Shane Howard (Goanna), Dave Arden and Amos Roach. The show opened with support act Dave Arden, performing songs from his own album which he mused took him only 20 years to produce. Dave has toured extensively with Archie and as a result has a sound not dissimilar to that of the home grown folk music unique to our country. Dave’s poetic songs were inspired by his country, his upbringing and his family with whom he shares a special, spiritual connection. "

 

Written by Vanessa Lahey. ©Australian Stage Online. Reproduced with permission

 

Click for more on the 'Journey' concert

In 2006, Dave shared with Shane Howard of Goanna Band fame, the role of Musical Director of the show Murundak in the Melbourne International Arts Festival. This was a powerful musical event, celebrating music as an instrument of identity, resistance, resilience and a call to freedom. This lineup, also known as the Black Arm Band, reads like a who’s who of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian music – Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Paul Kelly, Bart Willoughby, Stephen Pigram, Carol Fraser, Peter Rotumah, Kutcha Edwards, Liz Cavanagh, Key Carmody, Mark Atkins, Lou Bennett, Andy Albert's, Joe Geia and Robbie Bundle.

 

The Black Arm Band is planning national and international tours in 2008.

 

Click for more on Black Arm Band

 

In 2006, Dave and Shane also co-produced Tarerer – Welcome To Country. This concert and CD showcase the music of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous artists of South West Victoria - Gunditjmara/ Kirrae-Wurrong country. The project is a cross-cultural initiative to facilitate deeper understanding of contemporary Aboriginal life, plus local culture and history.

 

Visit Tarerer Festival website

 

Dave has spent most of his career working on other artists’ projects and continues to do so. Writing, performing, touring, and producing with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous musicians. Dave has added his own voice to Indigenous musical history and continues to provide insight to Australia and the world into his Aboriginal heritage.

 

Dave’s new album is co-produced by by Shane Howard and Dave himself. The album is due out in late 2007, through Goanna Arts.