This past spring, at a Session Americana Tuesday night at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, I met an incredible Australian singer-songwriter named Mia Dyson.  

I learned she would be playing a Wednesday night residency, opening for the Dennis Brennan band, and that beloved Session Americana/Dennis Brennan band drummer, Billy Beard would be playing with her. I thought, “Sure, I’ll be there. Billy, the Lizard Lounge, and residencies… all things I love.”  

Along with her bass player, James Haselwood, Dyson left her home in Australia; there she had achieved great musical success, including an ARIA Award for her second album, Parking Lots, and opened for legendary artists Bonnie Raitt and Eric Clapton. Dyson is set to begin again, unknown, right here in my Somerville neighborhood.  

As many Dennis Brennan fans have realized through the Lizard residency, our city, already a live music haven, is even stronger with the arrival of Dyson and Haselwood.  

Naturally, I had a few questions for Dyson. 

Why did you choose the Boston area to relocate to, instead of New York City, or Los Angeles? 

Mia Dyson: It's been a dream of mine for a long time to live and make music in the U.S. I grew up listening to Americana music (the Band, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder...) and I am influenced and inspired by so many American artists (Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Neko Case, Tom Waits...).  I have been playing and making music in my home country (Australia) now for nearly 10 years and it was time to take this leap that I know I would regret not taking. Boston seemed like the perfect place to land as it has such an inclusive and vibrant music scene.  

Boston seemed more livable than New York and more about music than L.A. Since being here I feel like I made the right decision. We've been embraced by many musicians here who are passionate about making music, not just 'making it'.   

How did you connect with Billy Beard? 

Mia Dyson: When I was planning to make the trip I got in touch with all the American musicians I had met on my previous travels and asked who they would recommend as a drummer in Boston. So many people (including Hutch Hutchinson and Duane Jarvis) got back to me with 'Billy Beard's the man' so I got in touch with Billy and asked if he wanted to do some shows together. He said yes and we've been playing together along with my Australian bass player, James Haselwood, since we arrived in April. 

How has your experience been since coming to town? 

Mia Dyson: It was pretty daunting at first, being away from home and not knowing many people, but immediately we starting playing and felt very welcomed by the music community here. I really enjoy living here and have been blown away by the caliber of artists (e.g. Dennis Brennan, Tim Gearan) and musicians (Duke Levine, Kevin Barry, Session Americana). It's fascinating for me just walking the streets here - the architecture and the history alone. 
 

Since that first night at the Lizard, I rarely miss a residency show that Dyson, Haselwood, and Beard play. Mia Dyson’s voice is soulful, silken smoke. She plays her electric guitar with great skill and enormous weight; the three players have an exciting rock sound, but easily connect with audiences with generous spirits and with Dyson’s hooky songs. As another of her new fans put it, “she (Dyson) immediately felt like part of the community. She radiates warmth.”  

Mia Dyson will be playing at Toad in Cambridge the last Tuesday in August and every Tuesday in September.  

http://www.toadcambridge.com/

http://miadyson.com/

http://www.myspace.com/miadyson