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David Donaldson

b. 1960

New Zealand musician

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About David Donaldson

Born 1960. David Donaldson is a New Zealand composer.

David Donaldson (born 1960) is a New Zealand composer and performer. He is principally known for his involvement in film music and as a creator of film soundtrack and musical sound design.

Composing Plan 9 has also been involved in designing the soundtracks of the New Zealand Pavilion at World Expo Shanghai 2010.

Recording David Donaldson, Steve Roche and Janet Roddick have been part of the eclectic Wellington music scene for over twenty five years. They first collaborated as members of the electric 1980s band Six Volts and continued with the Brainchilds. Roche and Donaldson are involved in a band called The Labcoats with David Long, Anthony Donaldson, Riki Gooch and Toby Laing. They also comprise a band called "Thrashing Marlin". The band made a big splash in 1996 with their debut, and was followed by a second release, "Garage Sailors" in 1999. In 2006, they produced their third album, "Wit’s end" which is a collection of lo-fi, experimental pop music which ranges from a take on a Len Lye vocal sample (All You've Got Someday) to a Janet Roddick composition (Sea of Tranquility). "The finished project is always an envelope-pushing but accessible blend of pop songwriting instincts within the sprawl of free-improvisational jazz and collage-rock. Early Split Enz and The Mutton Birds spring to mind as obvious touchstones".

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Important facts

Born
1960, New Zealand
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality

People in David Donaldson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Donaldson's

Frequently asked questions

Who is David Donaldson?

New Zealand musician

When was David Donaldson born?

David Donaldson was born in 1960 in New Zealand.

What is David Donaldson's occupation?

David Donaldson is a composer.

What nationality is David Donaldson?

David Donaldson is New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Donaldson

· Wikidata: Q5233019

· DBpedia: David Donaldson (composer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Donaldson. https://biography.guide/david-donaldson-composer/

MLA: "David Donaldson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-donaldson-composer/.

Chicago: "David Donaldson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-donaldson-composer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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