David Arden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Arden
Background information
Also known as	Dave Arden
Occupation(s)	Singer, Guitar Player
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Associated acts	The Black Arm Band, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Shane Howard, Bart Willoughby

David Arden is an Australian singer, songwriter, and Aboriginal activist. He is a proud Kokatha and Gunditjmara Songman. David has performed with many famous artists like Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, and Paul Kelly. He also helped start and was a Musical Director for The Black Arm Band.

David Arden's Musical Journey

Early Days and Collaborations

For over 40 years, David Arden has worked with many amazing First Nation and other artists from all over the world. David was the lead singer for the Koori Youth Band. This band recorded their first live album in 1986. It was part of a project called "Rock Against Racism Volume 2."

From 1985 to 1989, David worked with many great First Nation groups. These included the Hard Time Band, Archie Roach and the Altogether Band, and Bart Willoughby and Mixed Relation Band.

Touring and New Music

From 1990 to 1994, and again from 2006 to 2010, David was a key guitarist and singer for the late Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. He toured with Archie both in Australia and overseas. David even sang his own song, "So Young," on Archie's second album, Jamu Dreaming.

David's second album, Rainbow Man, came out in 1996. He made it with the new Altogether Band. This song is about the Kirrae Wurrung elders from the Gunditjmara country. David toured internationally to West Belfast and the UK in 1996 and 1997. He then toured to Fiji in 1998.

The Black Arm Band and Identity

In 2006, David Arden helped create The Black Arm Band. He was also a Musical Director for the group. Their first show was at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. The Black Arm Band includes some of the most respected names in Australian music. These artists were joined by other musicians like Paul Kelly and Shane Howard.

In 2007, David released his third album, Kookatha/Gunditjmara Clan. This album is about his identity. It helps people in Australia and around the world understand his Aboriginal heritage.

The Black Arm Band's show, Hidden Republic, started at the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It showed their journey from the Sydney Opera House and London's Royal Festival Hall to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Tributes and Important Songs

In 2010, David Arden was a Musical Director for "Nukkan Ya Ruby" (See Ya Later Ruby). This was a special tribute to the late Ruby Hunter. It was held at the Sydney Festival's opening night. Many stars performed, including Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, and Emma Donovan.

In 2013, David released the song "Freedom Called." He wrote it with famous Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. This song honors the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who served in the military over the past 100 years. David was asked to perform it at the 2013 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dawn Ceremony Service in Canberra.

David Arden performed his song "So Young" at the AFL Dreamtime at The G event in 2014. He sang in front of 70,000 people at the 'MCG'.

Recent Albums and Projects

David's fourth album, Close My Eyes, was released in 2016. This song is all about family.

David Arden's fifth album, Red Desert Man, came out in 2020. The songs on this album tell stories from the past and present. They share his family's journey over four generations. It talks about the hope, joy, and struggles of his tribal and city life. Red Desert Man is a beautiful Australian story. It is about his wife Violet Arden's Arrernte ancestors from Alice Springs. It also tells about David's Kokatha ancestors from Ceduna. Their love story connects different lands. It's about family, community, culture, language, and tribal life that is still strong today.

In 2021, David Arden was the Musical Director for "A Fight For Survival." This show was part of the Yirramboi Festival 2021.

In 2022, David Arden was the Musical Director and performer for a special NAIDOC Show. It was a tribute to the legendary Yorta Yorta Songman, Uncle Selwyn Burns. David also performed a new song called "CALL IT OUT."

David Arden was the Musical Director and performer for Uncle Archie Roach's State Memorial Service. This was held in Melbourne on December 15, 2022. Many artists performed, including Shane Howard, Paul Kelly, and Emma Donovan.

In 2023, David Arden performed at the St Kilda Festival. It was a tribute to Archie Roach. Many of Archie's friends and collaborators came together to honor his music. David also performed at the Port Fairy Folk Festival on the new Archie Roach stage.

David Arden performed at the "A Bend in the River: A Tribute to Archie Roach AC" VIVID Festival 2023 in Sydney. This event celebrated Uncle Archie Roach's amazing legacy.

David Arden's sixth album, MEERTA - The Ballad of James Arden, was released in 2023. This album tells the story of his great-grandfather, James Arden. He was a keeper of tribal knowledge for the Gunditjmara people. "Meetra" means "Rise Up" in the Gunditjmara - Keerray Wooroong languages.

In May 2023, David Arden premiered "MEERTA – The Ballad of James Arden" at the Yirramboi Festival. He performed with students from the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Discography

Albums

Awards and Nominations

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are yearly awards that celebrate music from Victoria, Australia. They started in 2006.