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Underground artists are all of a sudden seen amongst the big name acts. This is arguably due to the increasing level of accessibility to DIY recording. We now live in a time where bands or solo artists can release their music on self-funded record labels Essex born singer songwriter Dave Giles, 27, is the epitome of a DIY artist.

Up until their split in the middle of 2010, Giles was the guitarist in a large underground indie band and his sudden change in course came as a shock to bands fanbase. Not only were followers upset over the breakdown of the band but sceptical over the concept of Giles being a one man act. However, due to his reputation of being the cheeky and charismatic one in the band, many gave him a chance, and his debut EP was launched in October 2010 with a sold out show at The Barfly in Camden.

Being an artist in the 21st century definitely has its advantages for unsigned artists. Various social medias such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube offered Giles the communication with the public that he so desperately needed at the time. Being able to promote his music, his gigs and in general, himself to his current as well as potential followers worked outstandingly well for Dave. People took a shine to his openness, his raw song writing skills as well as his interest in others. Dave Giles is a rare artist who spends a lot more time with his fans than just inviting them to gigs.

Daves musical style is casual and slightly, yet wonderfully juvenile. Drawing inspiration from idol, Billy Bragg, his music is a form of folk, acoustic rock with his own twist.

Giles was completely up and running by 2011 whereby he did two support tours. Early on in the year he was on tour supporting the British rock band Ivyrise and in the summer he was with Room 94, a pop-rock band from North London. It was after these tours that Giles decided to take hold of the reigns and create his own tour. The only fault in this grand plan was the fact touring costs money. Never being someone to let an opportunity pass him by, Giles created the (subtly titled) Living Room Tour. This new brand of tour went down well with his fan base; with hosts simply asked to provide their entertainment for the evening with a meal, a hot drink and his petrol money; the tour diary was full in no time.

The Living Room Tour was a revolutionary moment for Giles, so much so that in October 2011, just over a year into his solo career, he promoted his first headline tour of England, playing nine cities in nine days – the Touring For Tea Tour, featuring support from FranKo, The Candle Thieves and Ben Marwood attracting 1,200 attendees across the UK, all of whom received a free cup of tea at the gig. His London show at The Borderline sold out a month before the tour started; By the time the Tallman Shortbread tour came around in February 2012 (consisting of six dates in cities unvisited on the first tour), sold out venues were a lot more common for the 27 year-old. Having finished 2012 with the We're Not That Moody Tour supported by Danny Gruff and The Candle Thieves (Daves favourite tour to date), and an upcoming tour in February with YouTubers Bribry, Tom Law and Eddplant on the horizon, the only loafing this artist has time for is on a tour bus.

Always the shepherd and never the sheep, Daves performance on stage is always unpredictable and innovative. Equipped with a sharp wit, props and quirky songs, Giles knows how to put on a show. Whether he is prancing around bare foot (a common trait of the Essex boy) or gathering the audience to sit on the floor, in a circle around him, Giles always manages to keep an audience on their toes (or in some circumstances, not).

Creating his own record label, Cheeky Chimp Records Ltd in November 2007, and having released two homemade EP's through it as an independent artist, The First Seven (31st October 2010) and Tales Of A Social Misfit (18th July 2011), Giles employed producer Nigel Pulsford (of Bush fame) and got to work on his latest endeavour, his first full length album Love, Life, Loss and Tea. Released on 28th October 2012, Dave's debut album explores the artist’s usual subjects of friendship, obsession and rejection, the fear of growing up and of course, tea. The album was launched with four sold out shows in four days in London at the Barfly, Upstairs at the Garage, the Islington O2 Academy 2 and The Borderline, once again showing size and strength of his popularity despite no major press or media coverage.

Dave Giles is an independent artist who has rapidly established himself in the music industry. Through his determination and clear passion for producing music, Giles has managed to get his foot in the door. If his career continues to excel at this velocity then he is one artist that you want to keep an eye on.