A blend of Scottish and Canadian roots with pop sensibilities

11 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Country Pop, ROCK: Roots Rock



Details:
"Leask brings to his music a compellingly honest baring of the soul. Toronto Star

"Leask has two excellent records that feature his ability to write well crafted songs that ring true with all types of people." HMV Indie Nation,


David Leask is a performing songwriter originating from Edinburgh, Scotland and now based in Toronto, Canada. Since emigrating 10 years ago, David has been building a spiritual and artistic bridge between the powerful influences of his birthplace and the fresh possibilities of his new home. His musical style is a blend of Celtic folk and sharp edged roots. An award-winning songwriter and Juno-nominated recording artist, David's latest CD, "Tightrope Of Dreams" - to be released in the summer of 2003 - is a rich collection of original songs and modern arrangements of traditional celtic material including some contemporary renderings of the songs of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. David's natural storytelling ability combined with his energetic yet sensitive performance of his innovative music creates a compelling fusion of old and new world influences.

His sophomore CD, "Ancestors Eyes", was nominated for a Juno Award, Leask looks to the many and varied people in his own life who have shaped who and where he is today. Indeed, the title track was inspired by the revelation that one of his own ancestors made the uncharted journey from Scotland to Canada some 600 years before him.

David's first recording "100 Camels" was released by Iron Music/BMG in early 1997 and met with rave reviews from the critics. The album received considerable radio airplay throughout Canada on both commercial radio stations as well as CBC. As a result of a consistently fierce gigging schedule David has established and maintained a strong loyal fan base and communicates regularly through his mailing list and Web site.

Playing alongside artists such as Mike Scott (formerly of the Waterboys), Barra MacNeil's, Natalie McMaster, Melanie Doane and Moxy Fruvous at theatres across the country, Leask continues to captivate audiences with the intensity of his performance and the disarming honesty of his songs.

Press

"The music on this artist's second release is powerful with excellent songs and killer musical back-up. Leask has a strong career in front of him both as an artist and a songwriter."
The Record

"Leask's natural talent in putting words to music and projecting them as accountable actions or in-actions is a folklorist's dream, mindful of the old coffee house days"
RPM Weekly

"Leask writes great songs... I've added him to an amazing group of talent that includes John Prine, Joe Henry and John Hiatt. "
Brandon Sun

"This is tough, straight-ahead music with a clear understanding of how
to seduce a CD player."
The Edmonton Sun

"Dave was such a rare treat to discover - one of those genuine talents with a truly natural connection between his guitar, his voice and his lyrics - a rare original."
Shari Ulrich

AWARDS
1994 - Q107 Scott Liddle Songwriting Competition - runner up
1995 - SOCAN/SAC Advanced Songwriting Demo Award
1995 - Ontario Arts Council Recording Grant
1996 - FACTOR Independent Artists recording loan
1996 - Ontario Arts Council composition grant
1998 - Ontario Arts Council Recording grant
1999 - Placed 8th in Standard Radio, Mix 99.9 songwriting competition.
1999 - Runner up in City of Mississauga Millennium Song competition
2000 - Ontario Arts Council composition grant
2000 - Recognised with Juno nomination for "Ancestors' Eyes "
2002 - Ontario Arts Council recording grant
2002 - Ontario Arts Council Touring & Collaborations Grant

RADIO
Extensive national CBC airplay including a live interview with Avril Benoit on "Here and Now". Consistent coverage on commercial radio across the country including #69 position in the Country charts for the single "Cold"

TELEVISION
Features on Global TV, City TV Breakfast TV, The New VR 's "Up and Coming", OnTV's Mothers Day Telethon, Rogers Daytime show and 14 weeks rotation for single "Driving On" on Country Music Television.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Canadian Music Week, TORONTO, ON.
North by North East, TORONTO, ON.
New Music West, VANCOUVER, BC.
Canadian Country Music Conference, EDMONTON, AB.
Canada Day celebrations, Mel Lastman Square, NORTH YORK, ON.
Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Showcase, BARRIE, ON.
North East Regional Folk Alliance Conference, PA. USA
Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, OAKVILLE, ON
Heritage Theatre, BRAMPTON, ON.
Centre For the Arts, Brock University, ST. CATHARINES, ON.
The Living Arts Centre, MISSISSAUGA, ON.
Summerfolk Festival, OWEN SOUND, ON.
Engineered Air Theatre, CALGARY, AB.
Empress Theatre, FORT MACLEOD, AB.
City Media Club, EDMONTON, AB.
West End Cultural Centre, WINNIPEG. MB.
Nashville New Music Conference Showcase, NASHVILLE
Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, ALABAMA