Award winning Noosa singer-songwriter Dave Barrie is set to release his new single Back On The Ground on 17 March, featuring his 11-year-old daughter Izzy.
The song was produced by hit maker Stuart Stuart who has worked on records with Sheppard, Dean Lewis, and the Veronicas.
His daughter Izzy was a gold medallist at the 2024 Gympie Singing Eisteddfod and Performing Arts captain at her school, and they are regularly seen performing as a duo at markets around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
Dave said, “We’ve been busking and playing at markets around the coast for a few years and it’s always extra special to play together.”
“It has been amazing to see how Izzy has improved over the years. As for the new single, it was never really intended to be a duo. I had already recorded the song with just my vocals but didn’t get around to releasing it straight away. We then performed the song a few times and I loved how her voice added to the song. So we went back into the studio to record her vocals and she did an awesome job.”
The pop/rock song with country hints will be from Dave’s upcoming fifth independent EP release.
Dave said the song is about people being there for each other.
“I was really into cliff jumping when I was younger. Wherever I travelled I would try to find the highest cliff or tree to jump into the water from,” Dave said.
“I’m actually kind of terrified of heights but it was my way of overcoming fear, a personal challenge, my extreme sport.
“As I got older I felt like that courageous young man was fading away and I battled a few demons. The best remedy or inspiration I found was my children, they always ‘helped to get my feet back on the ground’. So it was kind of that story and message I wanted to convey but also I was challenging myself to write outside of the box, to use metaphors and more colourful writing. The producer Stuart Stuart also pushed me to get the best out of the song, keep looking for better options, better imagery, better rhymes etc.”
To support the release of the new single, Dave will tour some regional Queensland areas in March and April. All dates on the solo/duo acoustic tour are free entry.
Towns on the tour include Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Murphy’s Creek, Bunya Mountains, Glasshouse Mountains, Kin Kin, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island, Captain Creek/Agnes Waters and Tin Can Bay.
On the tour, you’ll hear the new single along with a few other originals but also Dave’s take on popular covers from the 60s to today.
Izzy will join Dave on many of the tour dates with vocals, ukulele and percussion.
His use of a looper creates an often entrancing one-man-band experience, layering multiple tracks of acoustic guitar, percussion and harmonies.
“I’m actually taking my whole family away for this tour, my wife Rita and our three daughters. So having some quality family time will be nice,” Dave said.
“We’re doing about eight or so market gigs on the tour and I’m really looking forward to performing with Izzy at those.
“When she starts singing, lots of people are stunned and stay around watching her. Watching the crowds grow and peoples’ reaction gives us plenty of encouragement to play our best. I’m also looking forward to four nights on Great Keppel Island, snorkelling by day, playing music by night.”
Despite the current cost of living crisis impacting artists and performers nationally, Dave said the community in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast was really supportive.
“There are quite a lot of opportunities for solo or duo artists to perform,” he said.
“The Noosa Junction Association have for years been creating opportunities for live music and it’s been a springboard for many local musos to get regular gigs, improve and go on to become full time professional performers.
“I find one of the best things you can do to support local artists is, if you like what they do, just let them know, even a little thumbs up or come and have a chat. That little bit of feedback during a gig is uplifting.”
Dave Barrie’s new single Back On The Ground will be available to stream everywhere online from 17 March.
Tour dates for the Sunshine Coast and Noosa are:
Wednesday 19 March – King’s Beach Bar
Friday 21 March – Currimundi Night market
Saturday 5 April – Park & Cove, Peppers Resort Noosa
Sunday 6 April – Kin Kin Market
