Mia Dyson

Mia Celeste Dyson (born 1981) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She has released six studio albums. Her second, Parking Lots won the ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2005. Since 2013, Dyson has concurrently released music under the name Dyson, Stringer & Cloher with Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher.

Mia Dyson
Performing at The Gum Ball, Hunter Valley, April 2013
Background information
Birth nameMia Celeste Dyson
Born1981 (age 39–40)
Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
OriginTorquay, Victoria, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitars
  • harmonica
  • drums
Years active1999–present
Labels
Websitemiadyson.com

Life and career

1981-2002: Early life

Mia Dyson was born in 1981 in a mud brick home built by her parents near Daylesford.[1] Her father, Jim Dyson, is a blues guitarist and luthier. The family moved to Torquay when she was eight.[1] For secondary schooling she attended Matthew Flinders Girls High School, Geelong.[2] When queried by The Sydney Morning Herald's reporter on how she went from a settled family life, in the Victorian beachside resort town of Torquay to playing and singing blues and roots music, Dyson responded:[3]

"I don't know either, it's a testament to the power of music and how that whole childhood of being played what I consider incredible music seeped into my bloodstream. My parents were always playing the records of Little Feat, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, everything. Torquay is devoid of any artistic pursuits and had I only had that culture I'm sure I would not be playing music. I might have had more luck with the alcohol if I'd been left to the surfing culture."

"I went through my early teenage Nirvana, Pearl Jam obsessions and then I came back to the roots of this stuff and picked up the guitar. And I knew how to play these songs that I'd never learnt because I'd heard them so many times as a kid."

She described her father's hand made guitars:[3]

"I guess now people are impressed how lucky I am to have a dad who makes such beautiful instruments," Dyson says. But as a child she was unaware of their potential. "It was only, 'Oh, don't they look beautiful' when he finished one," she says. "It was only around 16, 17, when I was able to think about the sounds and the different sounds I could get out of the guitars, the amps and pedals, that I got excited."

Dyson played her first gig at a party in Modewarre and followed with shows at the Barwon Club and at the National Hotel in Geelong.[4] She then relocated to Melbourne,[4] where her first residency, in November 2000, was at the Dan O'Connell Hotel, Fitzroy with her backing band comprising Dean Addison on bass guitar and Carl Pannuzzo on drums.[5]

2003-2006: Cold Water & Parking Lots

Dyson released her first album, Cold Water, in May 2003 via Black Door Records and distributed by Shock Records.[6][7] It was produced by Dyson with Lloyd Barratt – her audio engineer and sometime domestic partner.[7][8] For the album she provided lead vocals, guitars (acoustic, baritone, electric, lap steel) and piano.[7] Her backing band were Daniel Farrugia on drums and Lucas Taranto on bass guitar.[5] The Age's Patrick Donovan opined, "[she] blew audiences away with her powerfully emotive voice and dynamic guitar playing on her debut album Cold Water. But the songwriting was a little one-dimensional."[9]

She supported the album by touring both Australia and internationally: East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival, West Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Falls Festival, Womadelaide, NXNE (Canada) and Edinburgh Festival (Scotland). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2003 it was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album.[10]

Dyson released her second album, Parking Lots, in April 2005.[11] She produced the album with recording partly occurring in a back yard shed at her grandfather's home in Moonee Ponds.[3] Nick Launay mixed the album and studio musicians included Renée Geyer and Matt Walker.[11] The Sydney Morning Herald's reporter described her sound as "strongly into soulful rock, folk and country."[3] Donovan reflected, "she demonstrates the maturity to let her voice and playing soar. Dyson puts her newfound maturity down to experience and confidence gained from two years on the road, playing everywhere from women's prisons to three months overseas as a solo artist."[9] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2005 she won Best Blues and Roots Album and was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Female Artist.[12]

In 2006, Dyson toured the United States and Canada, she performed with Frank Zappa's band, The Mothers of Invention, on stage at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and supported Ani Di Franco in New York's Central Park. In August of that year she was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the Broad Festival project, with three other Australian female artists, they performed their own and each other's songs.[13][14] With Dyson and Conway were Melinda Schneider, Kate Miller-Heidke and Ella Hooper.[13] They toured the mainland state and territory capital cities.[13]

2007-2013: The Signal & The Moment

In 2007 Dyson supported Eric Clapton during his Australian tour in February to sell out crowds. She also had a guest appearance on Australian hip hop artist Urthboy's second album, The Signal. For her third album, Struck Down, Dyson used Angus Diggs (Jeff Lang, Monkeyboy) on drums and James Haselwood on bass guitar.[15] She co-produced it with Barratt.[15] The Signal was released in August 2007 and it peaked at No. 74 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[16] Em of Soulshine observed, "The result is a superb album with Mia's classic husky roots sound, this time featuring a defining rhythm. Mia has evolved not only as a musician, but as a songwriter too, drawing inspiration from just about everything around her, and this album is sure to please old fans and convert new ones."[15] The artist followed with a tour from September to November.[15]

In 2009 Dyson relocated to Boston to try to break into the American music scene. She toured continuously, playing clubs and festivals across the country and in 2010, moved to Los Angeles. She briefly worked with Dave Stewart (ex-Eurythmics), she felt, "Dave is sort of an eccentric genius character, but we didn't have the same ideas and weren't really on the same page so it wasn't ever going to work, I think."[17] They recorded a track together, "You and Me", which was part of an extended play released in the US in April 2011.

Dyson opened for Stevie Nicks at the Santa Barbara bowl and Lake Tahoe in late 2010[18] and then opened for Chris Isaak on his national tour.

Dyson worked on her fourth studio album The Moment from late 2011. It was produced by Erin 'Syd' Sidney and Patrick Cupples, and was recorded in Ojai, California. A promotional track from the album, "Tell Me", was released in April 2012. The first single and its video, "When the Moment Comes", was released in July.[19] The Moment was released in August 2012, and it debuted at No. 51 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[20] It was nominated for Best Blues & Roots Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2012, and provided two more singles, "Pistol" and "Jesse".

In August 2013, Dyson collaborated with Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher and formed Dyson, Stringer & Cloher. The trio released an EP which featured an individual track from each musician. They then took on the road, playing over 40 shows around the country.[21]

2014-present: Idyllwild & If I Said Only So Far I Take It Back

Dyson's fifth studio album, Idyllwild, was released in June 2014. Matthew Fiander of PopMatters felt it was "another solid album from Dyson, and further evidence that the Australian singer can be both comfortable in her own skin and restless enough to push her boundaries."[22] The AU Review's Salmond rated it at 8.8 out of 10 and explained, "another beautiful album full of fun rock tunes as well as returning to her roots with slower bluesy ballads. Despite being her fifth record, she has created another stunning album that reflects her musical integrity and musical talents... [and has] the freedom to explore and challenge herself musically which has created an interesting array of upbeat bluesy-rock songs that intertwine effortlessly with slower bluesy soulful ballads. Her lyrics are more honest and reflective in nature, and this album could be argued to be her most honest yet."[23]

Dyson released her sixth studio album If I Said Only So Far I Take It Back in March 2018.

In 2019, Dyson reunited with Stringer and Cloher and the trio recorded an album in eight days at The Loft in Chicago in April 2019, which was released in October 2019 under the title Dyson Stringer Cloher and toured nationally.[24]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS[16][20]
Cold Water
  • Released: May 2003
  • Label: Black Door Records (BDR014)
  • Format: CD
 -
Parking Lots
  • Released: April 2005
  • Label: Black Door Records (BDR015)
  • Format: CD
 -
Struck Down
  • Released: August 2007
  • Label: Black Door Records (BDR016)
  • Format: CD, digital download
 74
The Moment
  • Released: August 2012
  • Label: Black Door Records (BDR017)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 51
Idyllwild
  • Released: June 2014
  • Label: Black Door Records (BDR018)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 -
If I Said Only So Far I Take It Back
  • Released: March 2018
  • Label: Single Lock Records (SL022)
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 -
Dyson, Stringer Cloher
(credited to Dyson, Stringer & Cloher)
  • Released: October 2019
  • Label: Milk! Records (MILK045)
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP, streaming
 —

Extended plays
Title Details
You and Me
  • Released: April 2011 (US Only)
  • Label:
  • Format: CD, DD
Dyson, Stringer & Cloher
(credited to Dyson, Stringer & Cloher)
  • Released: September 2013[25]
  • Label: Milk! Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
Introducing Mia Dyson
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Mia Dyson
  • Format: DD
  • Note: 6 track EP, featuring songs from Idyllwild, The Moment & Struck Down.
Right There
  • Released: February 2016[26]
  • Label: Mia Dyson
  • Format: DD
Sings Leonard Cohen
  • Released: November 2016[27]
  • Label: Backdoor Records
  • Format: DD
Parking Lots Revisited
  • Released: 2020[28]
  • Label: Backdoor Records
  • Format: DD, streaming

Other appearances
Title Artist Year Album
"Precious Thing" Various Artists 2003 The Queenscliff Music Festival ALIVE
"Lonely" Various Artists 2005 Look Both Ways (soundtrack)
"Can't Let Go" Various Artists 2006 Like a Version 2
"Choose" Various Artists 2007 Turning the Tide
"Over Before it Began" Urthboy The Signal
"This Magic Moment" Various Artists 2009 Like a Version 5
"Fruits of My Labour" Katie Noonan 2014 Songs That Made Me
"Humble" Various Artists 2017 Scary Pockets
"Being Scared" Various Artists 2018 The Alchemy of Fire

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
AIR Awards of 2013[29] The Moment Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2014[30] Idyllwild Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2019[31] If I Said Only So Far I Take It Back Best Independent Blues and Roots Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2020[32][33] Dyson Stringer Cloher (as Dyson Stringer Cloher} Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP Nominated

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.[34]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Lost to
2003 Cold Water Best Blues & Roots Album Nominated The Waifs - Up All Night
2005 Parking Lots Best Female Artist Nominated Missy Higgins - The Sound Of White
Best Blues & Roots Album Won N/A
2008 Struck Down Best Blues & Roots Album Nominated The Audreys - When The Flood Comes
2012 The Moment Best Blues & Roots Album Nominated Jeff Lang - Carried In Mind

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
J Awards of 2014[35] herself Double J Artist of the Year Won

References
  1. "Mia Dyson – About". Red Room Poetry. Red Room. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  2. Dawson, Dave (12 January 2006). "Mia Dyson from Surf Coast to TV". Dave's Diary. Nu Country. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  3. "Sounds of the Maturing Minstrel". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 June 2005. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
  4. Tyler, Bethany (8 October 2014). "Mia Dyson returns to where her musical journey began". Geelong Advertiser. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  5. Dwyer, Michael (January 2004). "Mia Dyson – Australian Poet". Red Room Poetry. Red Room. Archived from the original on 24 September 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  6. Dyson, Mia (2003), Cold Water, Shock Records, retrieved 30 October 2017
  7. "Releases :: Cold Water". Australian Music Online. Australia Council for the Arts. Archived from the original on 26 July 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  8. Mathieson, Craig (25 September 2014). "Mia Dyson's Move to US Harder – and Sweeter – than She Expected". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  9. Donovan, Patrick (22 April 2005). "In Gear – Music". The Age. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  10. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2003: 17th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  11. Dyson, Mia (2007), Parking Lots, MGM Distribution, retrieved 31 October 2017, Parking Lots, was recorded with Mia's live band – Lucas Taranto (bass) and Daniel Farrugia (drums), mixed by Nick Launay, and features a number of special guests inc. Renee Geyer and Matt Walker.
  12. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2005: 19th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  13. "Broad 2006". Broad Festival. Archived from the original on 8 October 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  14. Elliott, Tim (19 August 2008). "Lady's night at the beckoning microphone". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  15. Em (19 August 2007). "Mia Dyson Struck Down Release". Soulshine: Australian Independent Music. Archived from the original on 15 November 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  16. Wallace, Ian (3 September 2007). "Week Commencing ~ 3rd September 2007 ~ Issue No. 913" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (913): 2, 6, 12, 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  17. Fallon, Naomi (6 September 2012). "Mia Survives Moment of Truth". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  18. "Who's Opening for Stevie Nicks". StevieNicks.com. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  19. "New Mia Dyson Video". TheMusic.com.au. Street Press Australia. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  20. Wallace, Ian (27 August 2012). "Week Commencing ~ 27th August 2012 ~ Issue #1174" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1174): 2, 5, 8, 13, 15, 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  21. "Dyson, Stringer & Cloher". Milk Records. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  22. Fiander, Matthew (17 June 2014). "Mia Dyson: Idyllwild". PopMatters. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  23. Salmond, Kimberley (6 June 2014). "Album Review: Mia Dyson – Idyllwild (2014 LP)". The AU Review. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  24. "Dyson Stringer Cloher". Milk! Records. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  25. "Dyson, Stringer & Cloher". Apple Music. September 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  26. "Right There (EP)". Apple Music. February 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  27. "Sings Leonard Cohen (EP)". Apple Music. November 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  28. "Parking Lots Revisited (EP)". Apple Music. 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  29. "Final AIR Awards 2013 Nominations Revealed, $50,000 Prize Announced". tonedeaf. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  30. "CARLTON DRY AIR AWARDS 2014 NOMINEES ANNOUNCED". speaker tv. September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  31. "2019 AIR Awards Nominees". 28 March 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  32. "2020 AIR Awards Nominees". scenestr. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  33. "That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations". the industry observer. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  34. "ARIA Award search". ARIA search. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  35. "The J Award 2014". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
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