Mia Dyson was always destined to be a musician. Guitars were as ubiquitous as pieces of furniture around her childhood home in Torquay, Victoria. Mia’s dad, Jim, spent hours crafting them all by hand, probably christening each with a soaring blues lick before passing it on to its new owner.
As beautiful as these objects were, Mia never realised their full potential until her late teens when she started picking them up and investigating the different sounds they could make. It wasn’t long before those sounds were turning into fully-fledged blues and roots songs bursting with pop hooks and throaty, raw vocals from Dyson- a voice that belied her young age and life experience. Cold Water, her 2003 debut also showcased her growing aptitude for guitar, with the then 22 year old playing electric, baritone, acoustic and lap steel guitars on the album.
The stunningly soulful collection of songs showcased on Cold Water attracted attention almost immediately, with Mia embarking on a massive national tour. The potential of her debut album was soon recognized by ARIA with a Best Blues and Roots Album nomination. Her 2005 sophomore album, Parking Lots further boosted her talent into the mainstream consciousness, with I Meant Something To You Once being added to Triple J high rotation. The album was honed through playing over a period of about 18 months at a local women’s prison. Its obvious maturity stems from long stints on the road and months performing overseas as a solo artist, and sees her own experiences jostling for space lyrically with historical events and characters from society’s outer fringes. Its ambitious, confident songwriting again piqued ARIA attention with two nominations, this time, winning Best Blues and Roots album. On the back of this success, Mia again hit the road, this time supporting legends like Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker.
Struck Down followed two years later and showcased a songwriter who was perhaps a little more melancholy and a bit more country. It visited familiar blues territory too- life on the road, longing, passion and love gone wrong. This album too was nominated for an ARIA.
Following this, Mia decided to try her luck in America. She moved first to Boston in 2009, then to Los Angeles, touring continuously along the way. Again, she shared the stage with some remarkable musicians- opening for Ani DiFranco and Stevie Nicks and touring nationally with Chris Isaak. During this time, she collaborated with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and produced an EP, You and Me. The pairing fizzled somewhat, leaving Mia to concentrate on writing her fourth, fan funded, record in Ojai, California.
The Moment arrives after three years of personal and professional turmoil in the Land of the Free, and momentous it is. It finds Mia Dyson invigorated, strong and true to form.
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