Born: March 15

In 1984 David co-founded the ambient/alternative group Not Drowning, Waving whose forays into the unlikely touring territory of New Guinea were lifechanging for the band, informing the direction of the albums Tabaran (1988) and Claim (1990) and making the group pioneers of "World music". After six studio and two soundtrack albums they disbanded in 1994.

In 1989 David formed an acoustic group My Friend the Chocolate Cake as a vehicle for new material considered unsuitable for Not Drowning, Waving. However the side project became the more commercially successful, and MFtCC have now released their fifth studio album Home Improvements.

David is a much sought-after composer for television and film. As a solo act his albums Act Of Free Choice (2000) and Hotel Radio (2003) have been big sellers in Australia. His latest album is Succumb (2008). Recent soundtracks include the touring theatre play Weary and the SBS (Australia) television series RAN (Remote Area Nurse) and The Circuit. He also won ARIA awards for In A Savage Land and Nautical Forlorn (2003).

David is a politically passionate figure, outspoken on the plight of West Papua. In 2003 he organised the extraordinary Morning Star Concert for West Papua as a public awareness exercise.

In 2005, a reformed Not Drowning, Waving played WOMADelaide, the Queenscliff Music Festival and Fest'Napuan in Vanuatu, with three final dates on the Sing Sing 2 tour in May 2006.

Find out more on the official message board, and see this TV profile.

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This profile © 2008 Peter Blight