biographical info
You may know Benjamin Darvill aka Son Of Dave from his days spent in Crash Test Dummies, who toured relentlessly for 12 years and sold more than 8 million records. What you may not know about the Winnipeg born artist, is that he has been living in London, UK for the last number of years and has been bringing “the Blues kicking and howling into the 21st Century” ever since his 2006 release Son Of Dave‘02’. Son of Dave has toured the world as a solo act, playing hundreds of shows in the world’s best festivals, concert stages and night clubs; he has supported huge acts, appeared on major television programs and had chart success in several countries. Championed by the likes of Dazed & Confused, Vice and Clash, he has performed on BBC 2’s flagship music show ‘Later With Jools Holland’, supported Supergrass on their last UK tour, inspired KT Tunstall’s solo show and Grace Jones asked for his phone number.
Son Of Dave’s acclaimed album ‘02’ provided a diamond-in-the-rough appeal, and now for his follow up, ‘03’, his sound has expanded, adding guitar, piano, organ, a plucked cello and backing vocals to the staple looping harmonica, beat-box and foot stomp. Along with songs themed around women, drinking, fighting and the dangers of crass consumerism for the working man, ‘03’ features a cover of War’s classic ‘Low Rider’. ‘03’ also sees the return of Alex McGowan (The Future Sound Of Music, Tricky, Josh Homme) on co-production duties alongside Benjamin as well as producer duo Bacon & Quarmby (Richard Hawley, King Creosote, Finlay Quaye). Artwork for the album was created by Le Gun illustrator Chris Bianchi, an action shot of our 21st Century blues hero.
With a live show that led Stool Pigeon to call him a “one-man-band Festival”, Son Of Dave will return to tour Canada to support his latest release.
“...Darvill produces a madcap mashup of Curtis Mayfield, Tom Waits and Chromeo...once again proving he's a musical chameleon of great dexterity!” NME
“A force of nature.” Dazed & Confused
“Son Of Dave is fit for any David Lynch movie.” iDJ
“Makes even Beck seem unconventional.” Uncut
"Tom Waits meets John Lee Hooker on a night out with Killa Kella" The Guardian