Rod Davies Biography


Once upon a time Rod Davies thought about
being a scientist. After four years of study and
graduating with a ?psych degree? he?s opened
his textbooks only once - to brush up on a
strange neurological condition called
?AMUSIA?. Searching for inspiration to cure his
writer?s block, this unlikely source became the
answer and the basis of another provocative
Rod Davies song.
Amusia - Lit., loss of musical ability. On face value this subject would appear an
unusual choice for a songwriter. "I started writing this record (Beautiful Scars) in
a completely different head space to where I am now. I was finding the album
process pretty unsatisfying cause I knew what I was capable of doing but I
couldn?t work out how to get it done. Taking the journey right back to the source -
which for me was to just enjoy what I was singing - was how I got back the ability
to focus. It?s a theme that probably exists in a number of the tracks."
Despite his brief flirtation with study, there was nothing confusing about Rod?s
eventual career choice. A natural singer and self-taught musician, he began
playing in piano bars in Perth at 15 years of age. "I wrote songs all the time back
then and lived for the chance to play them live. I used to think it was a joke that at
15 I was paid 20 bucks for a whole night?s work. But recently I?ve been out
singing my songs again, playing guitar and getting about the same money!"
However, there was a time when $20 gigs were not a consideration. After a move
to Melbourne and with University out of the way, Rod embarked on a career as a
professional singer. He took every opportunity that came along, even the ones
where he found himself swimming in the deep end. But each challenge led to a
new opportunity and for a number of years he has filled supporting roles with
leading recording artists including Mark Seymour, worked in television and
theatre and become an established session singer.
"I was singing in a live TV band when they asked the singers if anyone played
the acoustic guitar. I?d had a couple of lessons at the YMCA when I was 8 so I
stuck my hand up. I had to learn pretty fast but I haven?t put the guitar down
since. I did the same thing with the trombone on a Tina Arena tour. I?ve got the
photos to prove it."
When we talk about the television commercials Rod has sung on he?s not so
forthcoming. "Theres been a few?" Which ones? "The really annoying ones".
Rod Davies is now very familiar with the music business. An industry that has
seen and heard a lot of him in recent years in his support roles. He is now
focussed on the passion that?s been with him from the start. He knows where
he?s come from and in returning to the source, he can see where he?s going.
His solo debut combines all this experience with an exciting original gift as he
steps out from the shadows and into the spotlight.
Rod now combines his multi-faceted musical experience into an album that is
both powerful and tender. It?s ?new acoustic pop rock? and has been described as
?a cross between David Gray, Neil Finn and Coldplay?. The lead single ?Treading
Water? hits radio as Beautiful Scars is released in early September through MGM