About
David Cummins
David is an artist and musician, university lecturer, conference speaker, marketing and visual creative, and an experienced multi-genre music producer.
About
Artist and producer
David Cummins is a progressive and ambient rock artist and multi‑genre producer whose music has been shaped by a lifetime of listening, experimenting and performing.
Drawing on classic 70s prog, folk storytelling and contemporary production, his work blends melodic songcraft with immersive sound design, creating records that feel both emotionally intimate and cinematic in scale. Across albums such as Here I Go, I Have Dreams, Reflections, Winds of Change and projects such as the ffusion project, Interpretations, and Finding the Other Notes, David moves comfortably between classic rock, atmospheric ballads, world‑music inspired textures as well as jazz and more experimental pieces, always anchored by strong hooks and a clear narrative thread.
As a producer, David is known for drawing out the best in the artists he works with, combining a calm, collaborative studio presence with a detailed ear for arrangement and tone. Years of writing, recording and performing have given him a deep understanding of what songs need to connect – whether that is a subtle harmony shift, a stripped‑back acoustic take, or a full, layered rock arrangement that builds in waves. His own records often feature long‑term collaborators from different musical backgrounds, and he relishes the creative friction that comes when progressive rock, folk, world music and contemporary production sit side by side.
Concept and emotion sit at the heart of David’s catalogue. Albums like Here I Go and Galleries explore themes of memory, grief, hope and personal transformation, often inspired by real experiences and relationships. He treats each project as a self‑contained world, carefully shaping everything from the sonic palette and song sequencing to how the tracks will translate on stage—whether that is in an intimate venue or a full‑band rock setting. With four decades of songwriting experience behind him and a constant curiosity about new sounds, David continues to evolve as both artist and producer, committed to making music that is honest, emotionally resonant and crafted to last.
David is an experienced educator and university lecturer, specialising in music production, career development and marketing for emerging artists.
Based in Manchester’s Futureworks, where he graduated with a high first BA (Hons) in Music Production, he was invited to guest lecture and now teaches first‑year modules focused on how students can move beyond the “bedroom producer” stage and start building a sustainable creative career. He is also the lead tutor on the third‑year Major (Honours) Project module, guiding students as they design, deliver and critically evaluate their most ambitious work to date. His sessions help students understand everything from releasing their first tracks and building an online portfolio to networking, collaborating and positioning themselves professionally in a competitive industry.
Alongside his core teaching role, David regularly guest lectures at other institutions, including DBS and additional universities and colleges, where he adapts his sessions to suit different cohorts of musicians, producers and event creatives. Drawing on decades of experience as a designer, marketer, band member and independent artist, David’s teaching is grounded in real‑world practice rather than theory alone. He has run his own marketing company, promoted live events, worked with labels and supported student artists through recording sessions, branding decisions and release strategies, bringing these examples directly into the classroom. Students value his straight‑talking, supportive approach and his ability to translate big‑picture ideas about audience, identity and strategy into practical next steps they can act on to start building a career.
Beyond formal teaching, David speaks at conferences and industry events, where he focuses on music marketing, artist development and the changing landscape of live and recorded music. He has moderated panels on topics such as digital storytelling for artists, the role of niche communities in music discovery, and the future of traditional folk music in a global, algorithm‑driven culture, creating space for thoughtful conversations between artists, managers, promoters and educators. In all of these roles, David’s aim is consistent: to empower musicians and creatives to understand their own value, communicate their stories clearly and build careers that balance artistic integrity with practical sustainability.
Educator, lecturer and speaker
Designer, marketeer, photographer and collaborator
Alongside his musical work, David has built a substantial career as a designer, marketer and photographer, skills that now feed directly into how he develops and presents his creative projects.
Alongside his musical work, David has built a substantial career as a designer, marketeer and photographer, skills that now feed directly into how he develops and presents his creative projects. In his early thirties he founded and ran his own marketing company, working as a freelance designer and photographer for a range of clients, and later continued to provide marketing, design and consultancy services alongside his studies and music practice. This background means he approaches every project holistically, thinking not just about how the music sounds, but how it looks, feels and reaches people – across artwork, websites, social media, live posters and press materials.
David’s visual work often runs in parallel with his albums and collaborations. From photographing bands and live events to designing artwork and branding for releases, he understands how powerful imagery can frame a listener’s first encounter with new music. His experience in both worlds enables him to bridge the traditional gap between “creative” and “marketing”, ensuring that campaigns feel authentic to the artist while still being clear, targeted and audience‑focused. Whether he is shaping a full album rollout, supporting a student’s first single release, or documenting a live performance, David pays close attention to narrative and consistency across sound and image.
Collaboration has been a constant thread throughout his life. David has played in bands since the 1970s, from early acoustic group Heartsong to more recent bands and recording collaborations, working with musicians across genres and generations. Those experiences feed into his work today as a producer, mentor and creative partner, where he brings together performance, production, design and marketing to support projects from first idea through to final release. For artists, students and organisations alike, David offers a rare combination of skills: a musician’s ear, a designer’s eye and a marketeer’s strategic mindset, all focused on helping music find its audience and make a lasting impact.
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