Spotlight on: Dave Helgi Johan

All the way from Gimli, Manitoba, Canada, self-proclaimed hobo Dave Helgi Johan has travelled far and wide to land here in Airlie Beach. Dave has gone from bartending at our local pubs to making an honest living as a full-time musician. When he's not playing music around the Whitsundays he is skateboarding, playing video games, working on his originals or experimenting with instruments. If you're lucky enough to see him live in action you might even see him whip out a kazoo alongside his Bob Dylan inspired harmonica. Dave Helgi Johan has an extensive resume of music, from playing in punk, hardcore, outlaw country and alternative bands to even shoe-gaze projects back in Canada. Arriving in Melbourne, Australia in February 2019 he made his way up the east coast and settled at the Arts Factory in Byron Bay, where he wrote and recorded his first solo album, 'Drumheller', released in 2022. If you aren't already familiar with this album, go check it out — Dave's music is a tasty blend of uniquely alternative, folky, country and indie goodness. Since 'Drumheller', Dave has rolled out a string of singles: a letter to home called 'All My Love', a poetic ache titled 'Lonely Flower', and a traveller's anthem about hitting the road and gaining fresh perspective called 'Fly High, Swim Deep'. As you follow the lyrics in Dave's work you can see that his art imitates life, drawing inspiration from his own travels, hardships, friendships and — of course — falling in and out of love. “Music is my art, it's how I choose to express myself. So whether it's writing original music or playing a cover and adding my own flare to it, it's a message to the universe.” — Dave Helgi Johan Dave Helgi Johan's second full-length album, 'Unholy Hours', dropped to the public on Friday November the 7th — just in time to kick off the Airlie Beach Music Festival — another milestone for his creative career. Be sure to follow and support his journey on Instagram and all major streaming platforms.