Dave Sutherland is a London based Americana singer-songwriter with nudges towards the Country Music genre. So much so, he was awarded ‘UK Male Country Singer of the Year’ at The UK Country Music Awards 2024. An accomplished performer filled with raw energy and emotion, Dave’s music speaks of life, love and London with the eye of an artist and the ear of a poet. His fingerstyle guitar, melodic vocal and engaging stage presence have cemented his place among the leading artists of the UK Americana scene.
His forthcoming album, ‘Just Like A Black and White Film’, due for release October 2026, features the considerable talents of Holly Carter (Pedal Steel and Guitars), Owain Hughes (Piano and Organs) Tim Harries (Bass) and Jim Kimberley (Drums). It’s produced by Martin Levan and recorded at Red Kite Studio in Wales. The band will take to the stage at the prestigious Blackheath Halls for the album launch, playing the magnificent Great Hall. It marks Dave’s most emotionally honest and accomplished album to date and promises to take you on an emotional journey of love, loss, hope and heartbreak, unfolding with all the timeless beauty of a black and white film.
Dave’s last album ‘Last Drop of Empty’ was produced by the American producer Stacy Parrish who won a number of Grammy Awards for his work with T Bone Burnett, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant on Raising Sand, and Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna’s Jack Casady who also plays bass on the album. It was released to worldwide critical acclaim, producing two Top 3 singles. It was voted ‘Runner Up UK Americana Album 2022’ by the readers of Americana UK, reached the Top 25 of most played UK Roots albums across America, charted in the Euroamericana charts, and nominated for ‘UK Country Album of the Year’ at the UK Country Music Awards 2022, where Dave was first awarded ‘UK Male Country Singer of the Year’.
Dave’s been treading the musical boards for 30 years, releasing his first record, ‘Navigator’, under the direction of Bert Jansch. A successful tour of America soon followed. His next albums ‘Comfortable Junction’ and ‘American Refrigerator’ cemented his popularity in the UK and elevated him Stateside, with his American audiences asking “How do you speak like this and sing like that?” He was then signed by Martin Levan at Red Kite Records and his next album, ‘On The Waiting List’ was a commercial and critical success in the UK and US.
Dave’s shared the stage with artists such as Rumer, Hayes Carll, Corb Lund, Slim Chance, Kristian Bush, Glenn Tilbrook, Ralph McTell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Al Stewart and Ian McClagan. His music is supported by BBC Radio and is on numerous playlists across America. Extensive global airplay has seen him achieve Top 5 singles in the UK, America, Denmark, Norway and Japan. He currently hosts the twice monthly NXSE: Dave Sutherland’s Sunday Service at the popular grassroots North London venue The Dukes of Highgate where he’s joined by a special guest, showcasing the very best of Americana/Country/Roots music.
Life, Love and London
Dave’s first love is playing live: his songs speak to his audience of life, love and London. For the last few years, he’s been touring his One Man Americana Country showcase around the UK, in between trips to America and Europe.
Dave has performed at festivals such as Celtic Connections, Cornbury Festival, Red Rooster Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Hope Festival, WoodFest, OnBlackheath, Towersey Folk Festival and in America, Dogwood Festival, The Phoenix Festival, Harvest Festival and The Folk Alliance as well as playing iconic venues such The Troubadour, The Half Moon Putney, The Green Note, The Water Rats, and in the US, Eddie’s Attic, Smith’s Old Bar, Stone Pony and The Bluebird.
Red Kite Records
The ‘right place right time’ scenario helped to secure Dave’s album, On The Waiting List.
Producer Martin Levan owner of Red Kite records signed Dave to his label after a showcase of demos and sessions recorded in deepest Wales. It was released in June 2008 and received great reviews both in the UK and US.
Dave’s last 2 shows in the USA were with Al Stewart and finally Ian McClagan.
Write, Gig, Record
Dave Dix was approached to produce American Refrigerator. Recorded in Escapade studios, an earthy and honest album with many songs receiving acclaim, BBC Radio regularly spun the album and with good US airplay too rumours of Willie Nelsons interest in the title track came and went. The cyclical write, gig, record, gig, travel continued…
His album Comfortable Junction was recorded in Escapade studios Greenwich in ’99 and again tours of the States followed with TV appearances and festivals. Back on the London acoustic scene, saw performances at The Kashmir Klub, a London basement mecca for songwriters.
Back to the Beginning
And back to where it all started in 96 and another chance support that brought Dave to where he is now: opening for the legendary Bert Jansch and serving a two year apprenticeship before cutting the apron strings and heading to America to showcase his act amongst the American elite. And guess what? They loved him!
