David Sneddon

David Sneddon
David Sneddon at Highbarn Essex. Photo by Pauline Keightley
Background information
Born	15 September 1978 (1978-09-15) (age 30)
Origin	Paisley, Scotland
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Piano
Years active	2003–present

David Sneddon (born 15 September 1978, in Paisley, Scotland) is a Scottish singer songwriter. Sneddon has written for other artists^[1] and co-wrote "The Message" for UK soul artist Nate James. Sneddon is currently signed to Universal Music as a songwriter, and describes his music as 'melody-driven indie pop'^[2].

Formerly with a band The Martians with John Kielty, Sneddon won the first BBC UK series of Fame Academy in 2002. Sneddon released his single "Stop Living the Lie" in January 2003 which was a number one hit single selling over 250,000 copies, and making it the 12th highest selling single of the year. Seven Years - Ten Weeks, Sneddon's album released in April 2003 four months after he won the show and containing his own compositions, entered the UK Albums Chart at no. 5.^[3] He also had three further UK hit single with his compositions - "Don't Let Go" no. 3, "Best Of Order" no. 19 and "Baby Get Higher" no. 39. "Baby Get Higher" has since been a success hit on the dance floor for Almighty Records and a singles chart hit for Dutch singer Van Velzen.^[4] David is the only winner of a reality TV show in recent years to have a number one hit single with a self-composed song, without working with any co-writers.

Origins

David Sneddon grew up in Paisley Scotland with mother Anne, father David Snr and younger sister Pauline. He enjoyed performing in musicals from a young age, and when his parents bought him a piano he discovered he had a talent for writing songs and taught himself to play. Sneddon was inspired by his father’s record collection of The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison and Elton John, and he cites The Beatles as an influence. He studied music at school, won several talent competitions and played lead roles in musicals both at school and at PACE Youth Theatre. "The person who has inspired me the most is Elton John. I love the Beatles, but as I was growing up, I always wanted to play the piano like him. I've never had any lessons, so he has been my only teacher.".........?"^[5] After attending The University of Paisley for a year, Sneddon decided to pursue a career in music. He performed in musicals and sang with bands in Scotland for several years, while he continued working on his songwriting and sending off demos. He was offered a role in a musical in London, and a part in a young boyband called Arena. He presented 'Inside Out' a children's show on Scottish TV.

While acting in Romeo and Juliet he met John Kielty (Sneddon was Romeo and John played Juliet's father). After performing some acoustic nights together at the Tron theatre in Glasgow in 2001, they decided to start a band, and called themselves The Martians. The Martians busked and did shows during the Edinburgh Festival. David was performing with The Martians in 2002 when he decided to enter the BBCs first Fame Academy television show. Since then The Martians won the Highland Quest for a new musical in 2006 - The Sundowe was produced by Cameron Mackintosh and toured the Scottish Highlands in early 2007.

Music career

Fame Academy

Sneddon was brought to public attention when he won the BBC's first Fame Academy (a combination of a talent quest and a reality television show) in 2002. He was not selected for the first show, but was drafted in as a replacement when one contestant withdrew from the TV show due to illness. Sneddon soon became a favourite with both the audience and his fellow contestants. He won the finals of the show winning the voters attention for his versions of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John, "I Don't Want to Talk About It" by Danny Whitten, and his own composition "Stop Living The Lie". He won the public vote with over three million votes in December 2002.

Sneddon performing Bedford London

Sneddon signed a record contract with Mercury Records and was given a luxury penthouse, Audi car and more as part of his prize. He shot his music video for his first single at Abbey Road Studios. His first single "Stop Living the Lie", was no. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in January 2003, and in the UK Top 40 for a full nine weeks. David is the only artist from a reality TV show to have a number one hit single with his own composition, without working with any co-writers. He had three other UK Singles Chart hits with his compositions - "Don't Let Go" no. 3, "Best Of Order" no. 19 and "Baby Get Higher" no. 39. "Baby Get Higher" has since been a hit on the dance floor for Almighty Records and a singles chart hit for Dutch singer Van Velzen.^[4]

Seven Years - Ten Weeks Sneddon's album, was released in April 2003, four months after he won the show, and entered the UK album chart at no. 5. The album contains all original compositions written by Sneddon, two co-writes with Scott MacAlister and four songs co-written with Martians' member Kielty. David wrote songs about his seven years after leaving university when he performed with bands, and on stage in Scotland - and about his ten weeks singing live on the BBC television series. It contains his three chart singles "Stop Living The Lie", "Don't Let Go" and "Best of Order". The album was produced by Hugh Padgham who produced Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel in the '80s, and was recorded with Elton John's band. There was a Scottish album launch for the release on April 27 when David performed 7 gigs in ten hours all over Scotland.^[3]

Throughout 2003 Sneddon and his band played a university tour, the Box Live and Summer XS tours, headlined at the 'Pop on the Rock' music festival in the Channel Islands, and supported Bryan Adams in Bristol and Elton John in Hull. David also performed on TV many times, including the BBC's chart music program Top of the Pops. David was also a guest presenter on The Saturday Show (BBC TV series) and the BBC Scotland Children in Need Appeal, and he took part in Avid Merrion's comedy show 'Bo Selecta' on Channel 4^[6]

Sneddon signed an exclusive publishing deal as a songwriter with Universal Music Group in October 2003. David's main focus has always been his songwriting. He said "I've loved all the music side of it, it's everything I hoped it would be - the recording, the studio, writing, but the other stuff..........?"^[5]

Performing

In 2004 David was songwriting in London. He formed an indie-rock band The Sham with John Kielty in 2004 and 2005. They played gigs in London, Scotland and the North of England, and headlined at the Hogmanay Celebrations in Aberdeen.^[5] The Sham included Jay Mein(bass), Ed Carlile(drums), Si Jones(guitar), Jake Gosling(keys) and John Kielty (guitar)

In 2006 David started writing and recording for a new solo album. In July he showcased his songs in a series of intimate, acoustic gigs with John Kielty on guitar in London, Essex and Scotland. In an interview for FPR Radio Oct 2006, he said "It's not what people are expecting, I’m trying something a bit different. The feedback, from people who know me from the show, on the new songs has been incredible."^[7]

Sneddon released an acoustic five-track EP called "White Noise" in January 2007, his first recorded work for several years. It was recorded in 'one live acoustic take' and has melody-driven piano songs. Tracks include White Noise, Time, Lady Lullaby, One Old Soul and Wish You Well.

He played acoustic gigs across England and Scotland in 2007, with backing guitarist David Mullins. In August 2007 he performed three sold out gigs at the Jazz Bar Edinburgh Festival to good reviews.^[5][8] In 2008 David continued with his writing work and played gigs in London with singer-songwriter Dave Gibson. He describes his music as 'melody driven'.

Songwriting

David had written for UK soul singer Nate James who is now on the third album, and has had hits on the worldwide stage. He keeps his music closely to the classic soul of Motown. Sneddon co-wrote international hit The Message for Nate James ^[2] which was released as a single in the UK in 2005, and was also on Nate's debut album "Set The Tone". ^[1] It charted in Italy and Japan in 2006.

In October 2003 Sneddon's single release, "Baby Get Higher" made the UK Singles Chart, and this song has achieved further chart successes. In November 2003 the dance label Almighty Records produced an exclusive promo remix, which was a hit. The label then recorded a version featuring Belle Lawrence, included on several dance compilation albums.^[4] In November 2006 the song was also a Singles chart hit for Dutch artist Van Velzen. Sneddon had several songs picked up by artists worldwide.^[1]

Sneddon has also written with young soul singer Julian Perretta in 2007, who is now signed to Sony BMG and his debut album is expected in 2009. Perretta toured with Mark Ronson in 2008, and he is touring with Girls Aloud in the spring of 2009. Julian’s music is power pop and mixes sounds such as T Rex, Steely Dan and Motown. ^[2].

In 2007 and 2008 Sneddon has been writing and producing in a London recording studio with guitarist and producer James Bauer Mein. ^[2] He has been writing with singer songwriter Dave Gibson who states Radiohead as a big influence. Gibson has a publishing deal with Publishers EMI and he was signed to Epic Records US/Columbia Records UK in May 2009. You can hear the writing collaborations of Mein and Sneddon on James Bauer Mein's myspace. ^[2] - the new songs for Dave Gibson ‘Barricades’ and 'Rollercoaster.' Also ‘Sirens’ on EMI’s myspace page. Sneddon is currently writing with Nate James.^[5]

• Winner BBC Fame Academy 2002.
• Awards - Nordoff Robins Award for Contribution to music 2003.
• Radio Forth (Forth One) Best Newcomer award 2003.

Discography

Albums

Singles

1. "Stop Living the Lie" (2003) no. 1 UK
2. "Don't Let Go"(2003) no. 3 UK
3. "Best of Order" (2003) no. 19 UK
4. "Baby Get Higher" (2003) no. 38 UK

EPs

"White Noise" (released January 2007)

References

External links

• David Sneddon MySpace - David Blog, Photos, Gigs, News.
• David Sneddon Fansite - David Bio, Photos, Reviews.