When we spoke in 2014, Iva Davies mentioned he might attend that year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
In 2015 Iva and I chatted again and he updated me that even though he didn’t make it to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race he did enjoy some time in Tassie, including a few days’ drive that took in Mona, an ‘unexpected’ working mill and also the house that was the setting of the book ‘The Term of his Natural Life’.
Iva has always been interested and is well read in the history of early Australia and is excited in exploring more of that history when he returns to perform in Tasmania with Icehouse in Concert in February 2016.
Iva began his musical career as a youngster performing for the local Mascot marching pipe band. He attempted to continue this pursuit at Sydney High School but was encouraged by the teacher to learn the oboe instead, to obtain a scholarship at NSW conservatorium. Iva says that he would like his children to pursue dreams that have a greater opportunity of success.
Iva’s song writing has always been informed by observation of people. He tells me he once lived in a terrace house in inner Sydney and from this verandah vantage point he would watch people go about their business in the streets. Iva continued his observations in the more public space of cafes, creating stories for their characters and mentally noting accessorial details like rings furnishing fingers, to add to that rich detail of personality.
Iva Davies performs with Icehouse in Tasmania on Friday, 26 February, 2016 & Saturday, 27 February, 2016 Wrest Point Entertainment Centre. Tickets available from www.tixtas.com.au or phone 1300 795 257.
Paula Xiberras
