This week on ArtSound FM’s Driveway (5pm–7pm weekdays), we’re shining the spotlight on none other than David Bridie — one of Australia’s most distinctive and enduring musical voices.

With a career spanning over 30 years, David Bridie has carved a unique path as a songwriter, composer, and performer. Starting out with seminal groups like Not Drowning, Waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Bridie’s solo work has grown into a richly textured tapestry of atmospheric soundscapes, world music influences, and deeply personal storytelling.

Dive deeper with us as we explore some lesser-known chapters of his journey: Did you know Bridie once dropped an Arts/Law degree to play cover songs in a Perth band? Or that he is one of the few outsiders to have undergone the sacred Tubuan initiation rites in Papua New Guinea, reflecting an extraordinary cultural connection? He’s also spent weeks living off-grid on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast, soaking up isolation and nature as creative fuel for his authentic soundscapes.

Beyond his music, Bridie’s vision extends to community—as the founder of the Wantok Musik Foundation, he champions Indigenous and Pacific Islander voices, nurturing cultural exchange and understanding.

Tune in from 5pm weekdays to Driveway for a carefully curated selection of David Bridie’s solo work. Experience the subtle power and thoughtful beauty of an artist who continues to explore new musical landscapes while remaining profoundly rooted in place and story.

Listen Now

“Dive” (Act of Free Choice, 2000)
A signature atmospheric piece blending moody soundscapes with subtle rhythms, reflecting Bridie’s ability to evoke place and emotion.

“Thomastown” (On Karen’s Piano, 2022)
An instrumental track from his recent album recorded on a rare 1908 Bechstein piano; intimate, warm, and reflective.