About Dave
Dave
Orsten
A songwriter with a musician’s ear and a storyteller’s instinct.
Dave Orsten is an Alberta-based country and Americana songwriter and freelance guitarist. He studied music at Grant MacEwan and has played with local bands in and around Edmonton since the early 1990s.
At a glance
Songwriter first.
Musician always.
- Based in
- Alberta, Canada
- Music studies
- Grant MacEwan
- Performance roots
- Edmonton-area bands since the early 1990s
- Primary craft
- Country & Americana songwriting
- Also
- Freelance guitarist and demo maker
- Writing influences
- ’90s country, Americana, roots and modern country
- Open to
- Song pitches, co-writes and creative collaboration
The writing
Story, melody
and feel.
Dave approaches songwriting from both sides of the studio glass: as the person shaping the lyric and melody, and as the guitarist thinking about how a song will live in an artist’s hands.
That musician-first perspective informs the dynamics, harmony and arrangement of every demo. The goal is never production for its own sake. Every musical choice should make the story clearer, the hook stronger and the emotion more believable.
His current catalogue moves from raw acoustic heartbreak and harmony-driven ballads to Tex-Mex country, nostalgic anthems and country-Caribbean summer grooves. Across that range, the through line remains honest stories and memorable hooks.
Original catalogue
- 01Ain’t Good at Lonely
- 02These Days
- 03Good Time Summer Vibes
- 04Lonely Hours
- 05Easy on My Mind
- 06I Would
- 07Ninety 6
- 08Memories for Miles
All songs written 100% by Dave Orsten, unless otherwise noted.
The musician
Years on stage.
Instinct in the room.
Dave studied music at Grant MacEwan and has been playing with local bands in and around Edmonton since the early 1990s. Those years on stage and in rehearsal rooms shaped a practical understanding of what makes a song feel natural, memorable and playable.
Having performed with artists including Travis Dolter and Tommy Charles, Dave brings a working guitarist’s understanding of melody, harmony, dynamics and arrangement into every writing session.
He is currently focused on expanding his catalogue, developing artist-ready demos and writing songs that connect long after the final note.
Music & community
Creative perspective.
Business leadership.
Dave serves as CEO of OEB Breakfast Co., where he leads national growth and oversees brand and marketing strategy. He also serves 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 industry infrastructure and helping elevate Alberta country music on a broader stage.
View the Country Music Alberta boardPitches · Co-writes · Collaboration