01
Ain’t Good at Lonely
Featured rangeAmericana grit and emotion. A song about what happens when being alone stops feeling temporary.
AmericanaAcousticHeartbreak
Lyrics & song details Country • Americana • RootsSongwriter
Dave
Orsten
Edmonton, Alberta
Songs that feel lived in.
Listen to the songs01 / The songs
Honest stories.
Memorable hooks.
A catalogue rooted in ’90s country, Americana storytelling and modern-country energy.
02
These Days
A nostalgic modern-country anthem, looking back at where you came from and how quickly the years can move.
Modern countryNostalgiaAnthem
Lyrics & song details 03
Good Time Summer Vibes
Country meets the Caribbean in an easygoing summer jam made for open windows and long afternoons.
Country CaribbeanSummerUp-tempo
Lyrics & song details 04
Lonely Hours
Featured rangeA Tex-Mex country ballad about longing in lonely hours. Melodic guitar and accordion lay an emotional foundation.
Tex-Mex countryBalladHeartbreak
Lyrics & song details 05
Easy on My Mind
Featured rangeA harmony-centred country song about a love that comes easy to the mind—and brings trouble to the heart.
HarmonyModern countryLove
Lyrics & song details 06
I Would
A traditional ’90s-country ballad built around direct storytelling, an unfussy arrangement and a heartfelt vocal.
’90s countryBalladTraditional
Lyrics & song details 07
Ninety 6
A modern throwback for everyone who came of age with ’90s country on the radio and those songs in their bones.
’90s countryThrowbackNostalgia
Lyrics & song details 08
Memories for Miles
Acoustic Americana heartbreak in motion—a story about running, remembering and carrying the past down the road.
AmericanaAcousticStory song
Lyrics & song details All songs written 100% by Dave Orsten, unless otherwise noted. This site features a curated selection from Dave’s catalogue; additional songs and demos are available upon request.
02 / About Dave
A musician’s ear.
A storyteller’s instinct.
Dave Orsten is an Alberta-based songwriter and guitarist whose music draws from the storytelling of ’90s country, the honesty of Americana and the melodic energy of modern country.
After studying music at Grant MacEwan, Dave spent decades playing with bands in and around Edmonton and has performed with artists including Travis Dolter and Tommy Charles. He brings that working musician’s understanding of melody, harmony, dynamics and arrangement to every song he writes.
His growing catalogue moves from raw acoustic heartbreak and harmony-driven ballads to Tex-Mex country, nostalgic anthems and country-Caribbean summer grooves. Across that range, his focus stays the same: honest stories, memorable hooks and songs that feel natural in the hands of a working artist.
Dave is currently focused on expanding his catalogue, developing artist-ready demos and writing songs that connect long after the final note.
Full bio & background03 / Music & community
Creative perspective.
Business leadership.
Dave serves as CEO of OEB Breakfast Co., leading national growth and overseeing brand and marketing strategy. He also sits on the Country Music Alberta Board of Directors as Vice President.
Those worlds share a common thread: a belief in thoughtful ideas, strong execution and meaningful connections. Dave is committed to supporting artists, strengthening Alberta’s music industry and helping elevate Alberta country music on a broader stage.
Country Music Alberta board profile
04 / The process
From first line
to full-band demo.
Dave develops each song from lyric and melody through arrangement and production, building artist-ready demos with a musician-first approach. Every instrument and harmony serves the story.
Pitches · Co-writes · Collaboration