David Cosma

If you like Lior, you should check out David Cosma. Purple Sign is an inventive little ditty with finger snapping and a gently rolling drum pattern. The title closing track features finger picking perfectly complemented by stirring piano and candid lyrics- “Rubbing plants into my face, in an attempt to look young.” Cosma definitely has the Finn brothers on high rotation and his tunes are perfect for a lazy Saturday arvo session at Pure Pop Records on 27 November. Cosma plays 3pm followed by Alanna & Alicia Egan and The Gin Club - Inpress Magazine: Bryget Chrisfield

The Tale is the new five track EP from independent Melbourne recording artist David Cosma. Following on from his stunning debut album, Hanging From Aldo, this is straight ahead, thinking person’s rock ‘n’ roll that speaks volumes to what a terrific talent we have in our midst, as well as going quite some way towards capturing the infectious sound of Cosma’s live shows. Imagine Crazy Horse with better songwriting, but recorded by a childhood friend’s mad genius older brother in his bedroom studio.

Although Cosma begins with an obviously solid songwriting and musical base, it is the musicians he chooses to play with that take the songs that extra step from exciting to desperately interesting. Backing vocalists, slide guitar, accordion and ukulele all make brief but decidedly enriching appearances throughout the record, and this supremely clever instrumentation has the effect of making the listener want to hear these songs again and again.

Talking of which, the four tracks on The Tale have a timelessness about them – not quite 1970s, not quite now – that will see Cosma’s work stand the test of time like little else in these download and throw away times. You can buy this record now or hunt around for a copy in despair twenty years from now, wishing you’d had more foresight. - Review by Tony McMahon, Inpress Magazine

In a lead up to the release of his debut album "Hanging From Aldo" David Cosma has been popping up on the wireless.
David Has been added to the following Radio Stations (selected playlists):

- RRR FM (inc live interview & performance)

- 4DDD FM (inc interview)
- DCR FM (inc interview)
- 100.7 Highlands FM (inc interview)
- 3MDR FM (inc interview)
- VOX FM (inc interview)

- Over an additional 20 stations up the east coast of Australia have also added the album to selected station playlists.





- Various

David Cosma – Hanging From Aldo
2008, Regal Records

David Cosma grew up idolizing music from the 1950’s and 1960’s. He so much liked Paul McCartney that he started playing his guitar left handed (on a right handed guitar). Cosma learned to play the guitar backwards without restringing it. This has led to something of a signature sound and technique. The Melbourne, Australia based musician previously fronted a popular local band called Mistamash. 2008 sees the release of Cosma’s first solo album, Hanging From Aldo. It is the culmination of Cosma’s decision to leave his full time job in 2007 and devote himself entirely to music.

Hanging From Aldo opens with Sentimental Shoe, a mellow tune with a great chorus. Cosma displays a keen atmospheric sense in his writing. He’s fairly low energy at times as a vocalist, but juxtaposes that against musical creations of distinct tension and angst. The end result is very interesting listening that is nuanced and discreet. What You Just Said is a great acoustic guitar-based tune wrapped around the dysfunctions in a relationship. Cosma’s mix of melody and lyrical genius here is amazing. This is the sort of song that will definitely be a concert favorite, but will find currency in all sorts of fans at different times in their lives: this song seems to speak to emotions that we’ve all been through at one time or another.

Bryant Reserve is a great little blues/country hybrid that shows some of the soul shadings in Cosma’s voice. Up In The Clouds is a slightly repressed pop tune with a great melody and very simple composition. It sounds like the sort of tune The Traveling Wilburies might have run off in a recording session. This is my personal favorite on the album. A close second is Now It’s Time. Great harmonies and a melody to die for make this song unforgettable. There is a slight alt-country-rock feel to this that reminds me of The Waltons/Jason Plumb. Other highlights include Out Of Me, Ninety Days, the colorful Letter Home and Take It As It Comes.

Hanging From Aldo took a few listens for me. This is not a casual listen disc. There’s too much going on, and much of it is beneath the surface of the still musical waters Cosma projects. What sounds mellow and relaxed is really full of angst or tension or a deep current that won’t express itself on first glance. This is a very rewarding CD for folks who give it the proper time and attention. David Cosma creates on a level with someone like Daniel Lanois. Finely crafted pop songs with country or Americana trappings are the rule here. Gorgeous melodies supported by uncomplicated structure and lots of musical nuance and intelligent lyrics are the shadings and nuance that will keep you listening time and time again.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)
Check out the review on line: http://wildysworld. blogspot. com/2008/10/review-david-cosma-hanging-from-aldo. html
You can learn more about David Cosma at http://www.davidcosma.com/

- Wildy Haskell: Wildy's World

After 3 years fronting Melbourne based band Mistamash, Dave Cosma slings his guitar over his shoulder and takes on the "solo" world.
With a swag of newly written tunes, Dave heads into the studio with producer Rob Feaster to commence work on his debut release. The anticipated release is due mid 08.
This recording (and some live shows thus far), show Dave working alongside Melbourne musos Jonathan Zion and Rueben Alexander, to name a couple.
(Nov 07) - Beat Magazine, Melbourne

Austrailian singer/songwriter Dave Cosma, based in Melbourne. From an early age Dave was inspired to play guitar by one of his many musical influences "Paul McCartney". When Dave picked up his guitar he found he was holding it as a left handed player and the problem being that it was a right handed Guitar much like "Matt Beck" the musician known for being a genius pianist; later to become an upside down Guitar player, Dave persisted with his method of playing to become a confident, competent player. Dave started to form bands from his mid teens gaining experience of being the front man. In 2003 Dave co-fronted "Mistamash" a band that were to become well known in the Pub and Clubs scene in Melbourne. But in 2006 it seemed unfortunate for the followers that "Mistamash" had amassed, when the band announced that they had decided to call it a day; not before they had released three EP's. After Mistamash the inevitable happened, the birth of a new solo artist "Dave Cosma" throwing himself in to the studio to record his new solo material in late 2006. Should Dave's new recordings over-run the expected time of release, then i think that this will be music that's worth waiting for.
Looking at Dave's "Myspace" page i was very impressed to see that in my opinion Dave has used the page very effectively. The best way to describe this is by saying that if you were to look at Dave's page as a jigsaw, Dave gives enough piece's of the jigsaw for you to understand who Dave is and what he is capable of. But if you really want to know Dave Cosma, you really need to approach him through myspace or by going to see Dave LIVE!... Some of Dave's influences - Tom Petty, Neil Finn (and for me a Del Amitri sound) can be heard in certain parts of Dave's music.
You need to check out Dave Cosma's Myspace page and listen to his intelligent, attention grabbing lyrics to appreciate his work.(5/5) Save/Check out Dave Cosma @ http://www.myspace.com/davecosma - Myspace, Critic In The Corner

PRESS & MEDIA:

Tony McMahon- Inpress Magazine (interview extract)
"For anyone who values meaningful music and songwriting, wedded to memorable melodies and a startlingly original though warmly familiar voice, this is a record you simply cannot live without. More resonant for me, personally, than any release in recent years, Hanging From Aldo also manages the not inconsiderable- actually downright astonishing- feat of being instantly accessible and gregarious as well, and I can think of little music with as much impact. Quirkily, Cosma plays a right-handed guitar left-handed....."

ALBUM REVIEW: Inpress Magazine- Hanging From Aldo is the debut album from local singer/songwriter David Cosma. Before I touch on the music, though, (which is exceptional), I’d like to speak a little about how Cosma recently quit his job to concentrate on his art full time. There are very few musicians in this town with the willingness or perhaps the confidence or maybe even the courage to do this. In the course of my work, I’m constantly amazed at the number of fantastic musos working in factories. Not to disparage these fine practitioners, but Cosma’s work deserves our undivided attention for the fact he has had the sheer balls to back it the way he does, not to mention its memorable melodies, Cosma’s quirkily original, though warmly familiar voice and his brilliant songwriting.
This is a record that screams resonances to anyone who takes the trouble to listen. The standout track, for me, is Bryant Reserve, which had the effect – with its effortless mix of rock ‘n’ roll and beautiful, lyrical songwriting – of making me think I had grown up next door to Cosma, and wanted desperately to return in an old Holden car, music blaring through the stereo. Opener Sentimental Shoe, an intoxicating exercise in melancholy and sweetness, made me think Cosma and I had shared some of the same ex-girlfriends. When I discovered Cosma was ten years younger than me and had grown up on the other side of town, it only made me marvel even more strongly at his ablility as a songwriter.
Cosma also plays a right-handed guitar left handed, with the strings upside down unlike Hendrix who restrung his axes. I’m not exactly sure why, but I think this has something to do with the attractiveness of his sound as well. There is both a weirdness and a homeliness to this music, and anyone interested in directly making the Melbourne music scene a better place would do well to own it. Tony McMahon- Inpress

iTunes- It's falling into place!
RATING: 4 STARS.
This first offering from David Cosma highlights hallmarks from some of my favorite music.
Maybe the swirling, effect ridden guitar parts of Sentimental Shoe reminded me of Pink Floyd. Perhaps the Crowded House harmonies and melodies in other tracks showcased some influence from the Finn brothers?
My pick for the top song has to be "Doesn't Really Matter", the emotional content and raw, simple lyrics sung with passion and pain prove that unlike the other tracks, this one needs no swanky production, and none of the afore mentioned "swirling guitars" or effect swells to make it an eye opener (or ear opener).
These songs get better as the record progresses. His debut on iTunes, David delivers with a hearty, well produced (in all facets) record that will hopefully get this Melbourne based songwriter on the Australian radio.

JJJ Unearthed
Out Of Me; rating: 5/5
I just love this track…. The guitar melody is unforgettable and just so beautiful. Such a well constructed song with great lyrics. What a top track - ...

CD Baby. Manda- California- USA
Dave and Rob made a wonderful record here; I had opportunity to see him perform in Melbourne and really dug on his style, it's great to see it manifested in a full band production. My favorite track is Up In The Clouds but all the songs are strong and take you on a vibey sonic trip with heartfelt lyric, a cool listen from front to back.

Myspace. Rachel- UK
David Cosma has an original voice, and it is perfectly suited to deliver the songs he writes. He completely wrangles together a classic southern rock feel in many of the tunes, a beatle-esque beauty in others, overall... great tempos for driving with the top down, this is "don't forget on long and winding drives" music. Great thoughtful music that is obviously composed by a person who pays mind to producing clean lines, memorable melodies, quietly powerful music. Great album David.

Myspace. Gaynor, Birmingham, UK
Here's a tale and another of those weird coincidences that just seem to follow me around. Serendipity strikes again!
When I was a teenager I used to write to a penpal, a girl called Kerryn in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and by a strange quirk of fate, and a shift in the timespace continuum, my latest musical 'must have' comes from exactly the same place.
This time however emails and the internet have speeded up communication somewhat!
Dave is the furthest away from me geographically but in terms of music links we are very closely linked.
Anyone that likes the Beatles, Crowded House, XTC etc wins major honours in my book and it is with Crowded House terms that I'll talk about him.
David Cosma has unleashed a remarkable debut CD imaginatively titled 'Hanging From Aldo' containing strikingly fresh and exciting, original material that is so instantly mesmerizing it 'got me'.
I felt like I felt the first time I heard 'Crowded House' so there's the connection. Quite an astonishing feeling. I couldn't hear and see enough of them and this artist and CD looks like it could well have the same effect.
Lyrically, vocally and musically rich and vibrant...he's got talent in spades.
Recorded and produced by Rob Feaster it's one hot little number fom Down Under.
The cover is also very striking and a number '7' and a fairground horse caught my eye rather spookily too. ESP indeed Dave!
Stand out tracks for me:
1: 'Bryant Reserve' check out Dave's MySpace and watch the video for an explanation of the unusual situation that inspired that song! Absolutely love the staccato rhythm, very jumpy and spiky, jazzy and quirky.
2. 'Out Of Me'...which I just keep adding as my profile song. Love it to bits. A gorgeous vocal on this one. I'm strumming along to this one all the time!
3. 'Take It As It Comes'...again vocally very strong.
BUT MY ABSOLUTE NEW FAVOURITE... 'Up In The Clouds'... I was caught like a rabbit in the headlights listening to this one. Just a wonderful melody and what a song David! You certainly know how to use words mate! This is a sure-fire hit or I'll eat my cork adorned hat!
I worked out for the twelve days of Christmas, as there are eleven tracks on here that's one a day and I'll play 'Up In The Clouds' twice! Lovely!
Santa has very definitely been reading my Christmas list this year.
Thank you MySpace again...I might never have had the pleasure of getting hold of this little CD and hearing a star in the ascendant...watch him go...Australia's too small to contain his talent.
Check out his MySpace page and get a hold of this little gem of a CD for yourself. You'll find yourself humming these songs all the time. - Media/ Public