David Newbould

David Newbould
Big Red Sun

Newbould’s casual voice and rock ’n’ roll songs embody a summer road trip, complete with an open highway and feet on the dash.

-Mare Wakefield, Independent Music Editor - Performing Songwriter Magazine

If Dan Wilson and Pete Yorn had a folkier kid brother, he’d be David Newbould. Wielding a voice as wearily distinctive as Shawn Mullins, Newbould sings every word with a dusty radiance. Though his adeptness with hazy sketches predominates, Newbould blazes brightest when blurring alternate hues of exhaustion and exuberance—a talent especially evident on “Empty Arms” (whose stretched-out phrases evoke Wilson’s trademark vocal elasticity), the graceful “Family Man” and rollicking stomper “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do,” fueled by Cindy Cashdollar’s dobro adrenaline rush. When he sings “I’d rather be a man with a broken dream / than one who never had one” under the title track’s simmering desert sheen, he’s not kidding. —G. Grande - Performing Songwriter Magazine - July/Aug 2008

It's A Cracker!! 100% Guaranteed!! Big Red Sun was recorded while David Newbould was a itinerant resident of Austin. Newbould sings with an exhilaration, avoiding the overwrought, instead falling squarely into warmth and passionate. Combined with a strong ear for melody and a directness in his storytelling Newbould nails this collection of introspective folk and traditional country. Newbould recruited Cindy Cashdollar, Redd Volkaert, Jon Dee Graham and others to help him on his first full length after releasing a series of EPs. Big Red Sun has a glowing emotional center that makes it a perfect way to brighten a gloomy day. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music - Miles Of Music (milesofmusic.com)

Although Big Red Sun will be compared to albums by any number of people--from Ryan Adams to Pete Yorn to the Wallflowers--I think Newbould’s influences are closer to 70’s artists like the late Dan Fogelberg, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and Kenny Loggins. Songs like “Something To Lose” and “Love in Your Heart” have the lullaby quality that Loggins used to excel at, while “Empty Arms” has the freewheeling feel of Browne at his happiest. And just to prove that he can hoedown with the best of them, Newbould kicks his heels on the rollicking “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do”. But it’s the title song that’s the centerpiece of the album: a stark, dry-as-the-Mojave mediation on life that crystallizes everything that the album stands for, from the artwork on down. Newbould is another one of those guys who has managed to place his songs in various TV shows, in hopes of getting much-needed exposure. In a perfect world, he would not need to go to such crass extremes to get his music heard; it would be enough that songs as perfect as “Family Man” and the achingly beautiful “Keeping it In” could get lots of airplay on a good radio station. But it’s not the 70’s anymore, and one must do what one can to get heard. And no matter how he does it, David Newbould deserves to be heard and Big Red Sun deserves everyone’s undivided attention. Written By: Gina Morris - Evolution Of Media (evolutionofmedia.com)

Artist’s Music Crosses Genre Lines

To make things easy, you could call David Newbould’s music Americana. But in reality, his tunes reach across genre lines, everything from country and folk to rock and pop.

The Canadian-born artist grew up with a love for the guitar, becoming a fan of metal and ’70s rock. Then he got into Neil Young, the artist that Newbould said first changed his outlook on music.

“That’s when I realized the importance of the song and playing guitar in the parameter of the song,” he said.

Newbould moved from Toronto to New York in the mid-’90s, where he would spend about seven years honing his craft and developing a fan base. Then in 2002, he left the Big Apple for Austin.

“I’ve enjoyed living here a lot and music wise, it’s had its ups and downs,” he said.

Newbould said his ideas of what Austin was musically were off. He said he learned the city has an insulated music culture, one where artists can have fame and success and never leave the city.

Newbould compared that insulation to the Canadian music scene, which was a reason he left. So, he’s worked to build a regional fan base with hopes of moving on to a national scene.

Newbould has made an effort to perform in West Texas, the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico, which, along with just living in Texas, has had an impact on his music.

“That terrain really does something to music; it’s bizarre,” he said. “It’s such a visual and the way it feels makes such an impression you can’t help but have this Southern, Texan tilt to your music after a while.”

Newbould is currently touring on his latest release, “Big Red Sun.” The album features many of Austin’s music legends, including Redd Volkaert and Cindy Cashdollar.

Newbould will perform today at Butler’s Martini Lounge. His current tour features him and his bass player.

“(At live shows) you really weed out the people who are there to listen to music and find something they like as opposed to the people who are kind of there to hang out at the bar,” he said.

“Really, mostly it’s about me singing my songs to people that want to hear them.” -- Aaron Phillips - Amarillo Star, July 18, 2008

You've heard his songs on Dawson's Creek', 'Criminal Minds'; now hear him in Lubbock

The time he spent carving out his identity, this singer songwriter created a nice following of loyal fans.

Born and raised in Canada, David Newbould, whose accent has no trace back to our Northern neighbor, describes his music revolution coming later in life.

"After I decided I wasn't going to be a guitar hero like I wanted, to be like Neil Young. I realized I needed to start writing songs," he said. "Once I found it, I knew this was for me, and now my craft is constantly evolving."

Newbould said he found his identity and passion for music when he was playing the drums at age 11.

"By the time I turned 15, it was all I cared about," he said.

Leaving his home country to pursue his dream in America, Newbould found a place, New York City.

He had created a loyal fan following performing as a solo artist as well as with a band, and then he relocated to the Lone Star State's music capitol, Austin.

When asked how he describes his music, Newbould said it was difficult to answer.

"For many years I have been trying to figure it out, and how to describe my music," he said. "It is almost asking people to describe themselves. It is difficult. But I like to think of my music being folk, which I describe as writing about people and the world around you."

When Newbould talks about his writing, he said the first five or six years he put a lot of work into it.

"After applying myself and where I was blocking off three to five hours a day to write, it made it comfortable for me," he said. "You try so hard to sound like your heros, but eventually you come out with your own sound."

His own sound has appeared on six network TV shows and DVDs to date, including "Criminal Minds", "Dawson's Creek," Paramount's "Joan of Arcadia," Fox's "Party of Five," CBS "Threshold" and "Lifetime's "Monarch Cove."

Newbould said he feels a level of success for his music to be a part of a network show.

"It is not what I was striving for," he said, modestly. "I am more satisfied to perform a good show and people like it. That is what I do it for."

Newbould said his steady climb to stardom was by making the best music he can and by reaching as many people.

"It really is what you make of it." -- Natalie Johnson - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, July 11, 2008

I hate to accuse anyone of being a sensitive singer/songwriter, but I'm afraid Mr. Newbould is very good at singing, writing, and picking up skilled session men and women to back him. The tone of Big Red Sun is soft and melodic with occasional flashes of a vaguely honky-tonk sound ("Empty Arms" and "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do"), but his forte is the solid love of a stable romance, family life, and the simple pleasures of living as far off the fast track as possible. Backing him up on these Austin-influenced sessions are the likes of Cindy Cashdollar, Jon Dee Graham, and Don Harvey. Big Red Sun is listenable, non-controversial, and is a pleasant amalgam of old-school country revival, traditional studio folk music, and solid craftsmanship. I have nothing but love to send to Mr. Newbould and his music -- it's a calm island in a hectic universe. -- Carl F Gauze - Ink19.Com

Grade: A+
4.34 stars (out of 4)

Former New Yorker turned Austenite turned Nashville star David Newbould releases an homage and a good bye to his old stomping grounds of Austin Texas with the help of an extraordinary group of musicians/friends offering up a slice of something forgotten.

Remember when groups like The Band, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and The Allman Brothers Band would put out albums that avoided generalization, reached further then their genres would allow, made music out of a necessity rather then to reach a particular audience? Newbould & Friends is a revisit to those days where it was just a mash up of styles honed together around working class vocals spilling folk narrative to no one in particular and somehow managing to reach everyone. Lyrically its all about honesty with Newbould, but more then that it’s the way in which his delivery is both focused where it needs to be, beautiful or intoned with a deep resonating darkness, as well as carefree and lazily tossed out over the music, as if instead of hundreds he’s singing to a small group of friends.

On a whole the album is rich with sound from piano to guitar and bass to fiddle to the accompanying vocals of Megan Melara and Wendy Colonna which add an even greater depth to the vocals. Its almost a complete and frenzied jam session with almost to much for the ears to handle, desperately trying to cling to one aspect of the music while another comes out of nowhere and just floors you. I’ll admit it took me a couple of tries to get used to Newbould’s delivery but only because, since I’d never heard of him before, I had no idea what to expect, but no doubt he won’t disappoint when you hear him. A great performance.

-AJ Garcia - Shakefiremedia.com

The ambitiousness of this live CD/DVD offering says as much about David Newbould's well-developed repertoire as it reflects his confident facility with performance. There's nothing tentative or green here; the NYC transplant is fully in command of his talents and direction with songs like "It Can Always Be Worse" and "Come What May." The DVD emphasizes Newbould's natural stage presence with golden promise and two bonus tracks.

-Margaret Moser - Austin Chronicle

David Newbould certainly knows his way around a melody. Penning Austin-flavored alt-country rock, Newbould's songwriting fits in a spectrum with Lyle Lovett and Ryan Adams—songs about home, Place, dreams and loneliness, full of rich emotion and sweet harmonies. Newbould came to Austin via New York, but they didn't hold that against him. Now his trajectory is sending him to Nashville, and The Long Way Home was produced as a send-off and a thank you card, with an impressive group of friends joining him onstage in Austin's ME TV Studios. Which friends, you ask? Megan Melara, Cindy Cashdollar, Wendy Colonna, Beth Garner, Danny Levin, Will Taylor, Redd Volkaert, and Steve Zirkel joined Newbould and bandmates Jeff Botta, Naj Conklin, Dave Madden, and Darwin Smith. Those are some damn talented friends bringing a wealth of dimension and talent to good material. And a very full stage.

I had a driveway moment with Long Way Home. Two days before the New Year, full moon overhead, I arrived at a party midway through the hauntingly graceful "Old Friend." I sat in the car through the end of the song, enfolded in the melody and the darkness and bubble of peace in my rapidly cooling car. Newbould is not a smooth crooner, but when all the right elements are together, there's alchemy. Highlights include the hymnal "Dakota" ("We had our chance, our one chance—didn't win, but we didn't fail"); the haunting "Old Friend," "Something to Lose," and "Love in Your Heart"; the up-tempo "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do," which has guest solos by Cashdollar and Volkaert; "It Can Always Be Worse" ("You can stay all night if you're lonely"); and "Goldmines" ("We curse the sky while we aim for the moon").

The Long Way Home includes both a CD and DVD from the show. The CD includes three previously unreleased songs: "It Can Always Be Worse," "Old Friend," and "Come What May." The DVD includes the film from the show, with three songs that didn't make it onto the CD: "Salvation," "Soul Is Inflamed," and "Lost & Found." There are a handful of bonus commentary segments and a video for "See You On The Other Side" produced by Steve Miller that reminded me of something out of Spinal Tap.

—Lyn Dunagan - Caught In The Carousel

(translated from Dutch)
My father recently died. As a young man he had experienced the horrors of war. It had shaped him, including afterwards, his ability to enjoy of life. Preferably the fullest, and as long as possible. It was and was awarded him. In the days before the funeral you experience emphatically how someone intertwined with his music. Music as a blueprint for a liberal outlook. Most people have relationship with music. Music as an essential ingredient of your personality. Music that you are intertwined, where you feel yourself at home. My heart is in the unbound spirits. People who have separated from their environment, and do their own thing. They follow their own intuitive way, and come up with something totally idiosyncratic. One of the albums that close to my heart is the self-titled album by Willis Allan Ramsey which appeared in 1972. The intensity of that album still touches me. Had Tennessee been released around that period, I would not be surprised. The record of David Newbould contains a similar tone, and also includes songs such as Down For Your Love that deeply grasp. Tennessee feels as a result of a moment in time. A creative discharge that found its expression in the studio with like-minded people. An organic plate who uses simplicity, and no time to heat price does. The Things We've Done forge melancholy in his lyrics together with the sensitivity of the pedal steel, and then conclude with a stripped down version of the romantic price song She's Got a Different Way . The Canadian David Newbould went to Tennessee to realize his dream and knew helped by a Kickstarter project a paltry $ 5,000 to gather early 2012. Budget without any music, but the actual foundation of Tennessee consists of David Newbould and his producer Ben Strano . It would have been unjust if this record had never seen the light of day. Invest in music, it's your lifetime, and even after. - FolkForum.NL

David Newbould is a highly talented singer-songwriter who is just waiting to burst into the major league, something he may just achieve with this new album. Strong vocals and cleverly put together songs make this a pleasure to listen to. To his credit, David’s music has appeared on a number of popular television shows including Criminal Minds, Party of Five and Dawson’s Creek.
TENNESSEE was produced by Ben Strano and has taken over a year to make. Featuring the likes of up-and-coming country star Rose Falcon, it was recorded in two parts and comes with two bonus tracks released only via the internet. The album starts off with “Always Coming Home,” which showcases David’s vocals wonderfully. He has a distinctive sound, which mixes country with pop-rock. Upbeat and rather delightful, this opening song sees David joined on vocals by Falcon. “Don’t Give Me Your Heart” sees David’s vocals slip into a harsher mode. If you like Bruce Springsteen and/or John Mellencamp then you are in for a treat. Again quite an upbeat song it is easy to see why David’s songs have been used on so many successful television shows. His vocals have depth and real character.
“Live For Love” is another strong offering. A mix of rock and country makes this song quite powerful. “Drifting Wayward” has a distinct country feel about it. David’s vocals have a lighter feel and really suit a slow country song. “You’re With Me” is a high octane fast paced country-rock song. A lovely duet this song features Kalisa Ewing on vocals. Listening to this song is like listening to a slice of Steve and Stacey Earle. Kalisa’s vocals are edgy and offer something special to this song. “Down For Your Love” is a slower, raw country song that pushes David’s vocals to the forefront. Once again Kalisa Ewing joins David on vocals. “Lucinda” is another rocky country song. “It Can Always Be Worse” is a really dramatic song with powerful lyrics. A really punchy song that deserves plenty of volume to be enjoyed fully! Caitlin Nicol-Thomas adds extra depth to this song with the violin. “Trying To Find The Good In Seeing Things” is another outstanding sound in the style of Jackson C Frank or Bob Dylan. It is worth buying this album just for this song alone. “Don’t Give Up On Love” sees the mood and tempo pick up pace once again. Another rocky country song with plenty of potential. “The Things We’ve Done” slips back into raw delicate vocal mode.
David has such an awesome vocal range and style as evidenced by the songs on this album. “She’s Got A Different Way” ends the album off in fine style. Another country infused rocky/pop song David’s vocals are once again the highlight. An outstanding song that leaves you wanting to hear more, much more.
-Sara Hunt - MAVERICK MAGAZINE, "THE UK'S LEADING INDEPENDENT COUNTRY MUSIC MAGAZINE"

(Translated from Italian) Growing up in Toronto, David Newbould has long lived in Austin, Texas and then in New York, before moving to Nashville where he collected all his previous experiences to propose a apprezzabilissimo mix of country, folk and roots rock. David Newbould is an author and a performer of great stock, ready to seize the most genuine feelings, to tell the stories more vivid and sincere. "Tennessee" is a bit 'the culmination of a career that has seen him affect three ep, album,' whole 'and a live recorded in Austin and published on cd / dvd, with the eyes of an artist more similar to the songwriting roots Texas and the beautiful sounds of the East side of Nashville that to the mainstream. To me personally the disc recalls the emotions of a Radney Foster, a Brandon Rhyder or Wade Bowen, where acoustic ballads are brought together in the most lively and rock. "Always Coming Home" opens the album and immediately clarifies the intent with a melody and an air that win for immediacy and expressive power. "Don't Give Me Your Heart" free all the vitality and desire to live intensely their status in a more spontaneous. "Drifting Wayward" is a ballad with warm and suffused in shades of country and a stunning pedal steel Dan Dugmore, one of the guests the most interesting of these sessions along with the Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, "You're With Me" is still a 'road song' remarkable conducted with a spirit more rocking and compelling in a duet with Kalisa Ewing, his partner of composition. "Lucinda" is in my opinion one of the most luminous disk with its piano introduction that soon leads to a ballad that recalls to mind the more melodic Chris Knight, "It Can Always Be Worse" is more bitter and painful, another 'highlight' that deserves attention. Even "Don't Give Up On Love" and "She's Got A Different Way", although in a different manner, supply - the first and far more intimate and acoustic, the second dig with delicacy and sensitivity in interpersonal relations and show considerable poetic gifts. A nice surprise this, an artist worthy and very interesting. - Lonestar Time