All About Dave and
Julia (On the
Fence)....
Dave first started writing songs in the
early 1970's-exactly when he can't
pinpoint-as a result of getting
involved in the folk scene around the
Tunbridge Wells area - "a pub called
"The Compasses" as I recall." He was
influenced by the writing of Paul
Simon, Bob Dylan, Roy Harper and
Jeremy Taylor.
He moved to Leicestershire in 1973
where he has lived ever since. He
continued to write songs until the
late seventies, the high point being,
one would suppose reaching the
Midlands final of the Melody Maker
Folk Rock Contest , receiving a
special commendation from the
judges. From the late seventies to
nigh on the millennium he wrote
absolutely nothing due to the
demands of a family and teaching
career, emerging about twenty years
ago as a "born again folkie". Out of
over 160 songs He's written, about
three quarters have arrived in the last
20 years. Most of them have seen
their debut at the club Dave and Julia
now run, at the WHITE HORSE,
SEAGRAVE, near Leicester
Apart from the songwriters mentioned
earlier, Dave has been influenced by
25 years teaching children, and also
by the times spent working on farms
and building sites. I think there is a
lot of building site humour (slightly
censored) in the songs.
Julia has always loved folk clubs but
did not sing in public until she had
passed her 50th birthday, but is now
regarded as a fine singer, whose
voice has gained a lot of depth over
the last 20 years with experience -
she also plays English concertina. A
typical"On the Fence" gig will consist
of a mix of Dave's songs and songs
by other writers with Julia usually
doing the lead vocal and Dave putting
on harmony vocal. "On the Fence"
have produced two CDs and Dave has
produced 5 of his own songs. The
vocal harmonies that "On the Fence"
do are one of the most commonly
praised aspects of their music.
A Short Note on Guitars by
Dave
I don't play hideously expensive
guitars. The fingerpicking tracks
on the CD are played on a
Seagull, the flatpick/strum ones
on a Simon and Patrick.
I gave up on being the fastest
guitar in the west about 35 years
ago and just try to get a guitar
accompaniment that will carry the
song in the best way.
I can recommend both the above
as excellent value for
money-under £400 for quality
Canadian instruments.