David Kirton does not claim to be a soothsayer, mind reader or life coach but what he does have is a voice and stories to tell. His music creates a vibe and energy that reflects the culture and heritage of his homeland Barbados, mixed with a modern travelers views and adopted international sounds. Kirton said "My progression in music has been organic. I never follow the trends but, I take note. I have been fortunate to learn from some of the best entertainers and producers in my Caribbean community how to transform visions into songs and dreams into a life long musical journey.".
His new album, due for release in March 2012 contains a collection of songs filled with raw, stripped tales of triumph and loss, poverty and wealth and what no one should live without. love. For this album Kirton teams up with an unusual and unexpected collection of Independent artists including Ghana's Rocky Dawuni.
The international accolades for Kirton began shortly after launching his recording career in the late 90s with debut album, Stranger. The success of that release led to an opportunity to perform at the 1999 MIDEM music conference in Cannes, France where he showcased at the Palais on World Beat Night.
UP writer John Swenson said, "(he is)…the best new artist at MIDEM." Sensing the exciting, unique music in Kirton's future, Miami's Caribbean Today wrote, "Kirton has struck the right chord. He brings to the marketplace a refreshingly unique aura…satisfying the mainstream audience, especially those who crave something new." That MIDEM showcase lead to the Spirit Of Unity Tour booking where Kirton found himself opening for reggae giants Maxi Priest, Third World, Culture and Steel Pulse. The Midem debut performance also gained him much critical acclaim and a RAS Records Signing —which he followed up in the early 2000s with albums Modern Roots and Island Songs For Children- and numerous solo tours and festival performances.
"After touring 42 U.S. cities on the Spirit of Unity Tour with my Jamaican brethren " the singer says, "I returned to Barbados with the realization that I had to maintain a non Jamaican identity in my reggae influenced sound and represent my true self. This ultimately led to the concept behind his third album 'Time To Change.'
This album was released in 2007 Independently and Produced by Van Gibbs and Chris Allman. Recorded at Salaam Remi's studios in Miami and home ground favorite Slam City Studios, Kirton was able to secure distribution in the UK and Canada under Universal.
The Sunday Mercury's (U.K.) Paul Cole wrote: "Already a triple award-winner in the Caribbean, Time for Change has the crossover appeal to break him big in the mainstream pop charts." The Canadian National Campus Review backed that up with: "Kirton has busted out of the box with this, his third album, by blending elements of reggae, soul, rock and pop into a contemporary yet natural sound, which he then delivers with his exotically smooth, soul dipped voice."
In the past Kirton's unique sound and charismatic showmanship has seen him booked for events such as, Midem, SXSW 2007 & 2009, The Royal Chelsea Flower Show in London, Napa Reggae in the Valley, Fashion Has No Borders (Toronto), the Virgin Atlantic Barbados Music Festival and The World Travel Market, EXCEL London and Reggae on the River.
In 2008 and 2009 he was awarded the title of Reggae Artist and has won a total of four Barbados Music Awards, including song and video for hit single "Green Camouflage". Kirton was an ISC Simi Finalist in 2007, featured performer along with Rhianna in HD film "Barbados Style', his "Free to Fly" music video featuring actor Gary Dourdan reached # 7 on the MTV Much Music Top 10 and he was featured live on BBC Wales.
Recently Kirton formed an alliance with Degy Entertainment, an established New Jersey based College Booking Agency who specializes in pairing performing songwriters with Campuses and Armed Forces bases. After a successful NACA, National Association for Campus Activities, showcase hosted by DEGY and The Barbadian Association of Music Entrepreneurs David Kirton was booked for a fall tour performing a mix of acoustic and band dates.
Kirton said "Growing up, I listened to all kinds of music. Barbados didn't have an international indigenous sound. I never had the spirit to perform Trinidad's soca music, which is also huge in Barbados. I originally gravitated to the reggae feel, which gave rise to my development as a guitarist and songwriter. But so many up and coming straight reggae artists just wrote lyrics over Beats producers created for them, as I moved forward in my career, I began coming up with my own melodies, lyrics and arrangements—which ultimately took on a more modern hybrid style that also incorporated pop and soul music."
He adds, "It was Roots reggae that captured my senses rather than the Dancehall that became popular these past few years. My progression as an artist came because I was more relaxed, didn't try to fit into a trendy box , just let my songs flow and represent what I felt inside when I sat down to write them. I feel very comfortable making music my own way, rather than trying to fit in anyone's boots or letting a producer shape who I am as an artist. I love having the freedom to touch people and find success following my own vision."
His thoughts on why he writes the way he dose are simple, organic and honest: "At heart, my music has a laid back feel because that's what island life is about. When you are as overwhelmed by nature and can see all the stars in the sky, it's easy to realize our place in the world, and have a relaxed attitude about it. I've got the dreadlocks and that invites people to stereotype me as another reggae artist. But I invite people to go deeper into my musical experience and re-evaluate their preconceived notions. I love the way music can make people dance in different ways and feel different emotions. Like Rihanna, I am all about blending the pride of my homeland with a progressive sound that is all my own."
