david james herbert

Since taking to the stage for the first time early in 2004, Edinburgh based singer/songwriter David James Herbert has enjoyed considerable success, playing a number of live dates and starting work on his debut EP, due for completion in 2005.

A keen guitarist and songwriter since the age of 13, he attributes much of this to one record. "I was sat in my parents car trying to keep warm, watching my brother play football, and put the only tape on, which was "Definitely Maybe" by Oasis. Something clicked, and I must have listened to that record about five times that day, and as soon as I got back to the house, the old second hand guitar that I'd got about a year before and barely touched came out, and then I couldn't put it down. It's still one of my favourite records, 'cause it opened my eyes to all the great albums that came before it, from the Beatles and the Stones, to The Jam and the Kinks, and then you start listening to all the people that influenced them, and before you know it your playing Chuck Berry and Bob Dylan, and then someone like Ryan Adams comes along, and you go through the whole thing again."

After starting several bands with limited success, David turned his hand to DJ-ing, promoting his own clubnights, playing rock n roll, punk, reggae, northern soul, indie, blue's and ska - and anything else he could get his hands on. With such a varied record collection, his own songwriting began to feature glimpses these genres, whilst still creating a fresh sound.

And after securing a job with a local recording studio, and feeling confident in his own songs, it was time to test them out on stage, playing Edinburgh's "Whistle Binkies", and to rapturous applause. Playing various open mic nights around the city and gaining momentum, he started his showcase for Edinburgh based singer/songwriters at the Roxy Art House, "Out Front", and began recording at close by Groove Tunnel studios with producer Rod Spark.