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Post by Roxy on Jun 19, 2007 20:08:09 GMT 10
Here's an update to Damiens Bio on his Official Website.
Now, after seven months of writing and recording, my debut album is on the verge of release with the first single, "22 steps" to be released on July 21st 2007.
Having recorded demos and rough albums over the years since I started in music, approaching my first commercial album was at times daunting and I have to say there was certainly a learning curve to overcome. Throughout the process working with Bryon Jones, James Roche & Ross Fraser I was inspired to write at a whole new level and I am now even more in touch with what style of music really represents me.
"22 steps" written by Canadian singer/songwriter Andy Stochansky, was one of the few songs I found that truly encapsulated where I am at musically and worked amongst the other songs I had penned for the record.
There are also two B-sides on the commercial single, "Song for Jarvis" and "Who You Are". "Song for Jarvis" is a special song that I wrote after the birth of my first son. It's basically about the innocence of youth and how I, as a parent, wish the best for my son. "Who You Are" is a song I wrote about not feeling sorry for yourself and getting on with things in life.
Hope you enjoy the new single and my forthcoming album.
Damien
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Post by dededom on Jun 19, 2007 20:38:47 GMT 10
And there is the first part of the message too...
Music and I didn't see eye to eye at first - despite coming from a very musical family. It wasn't until I was 16 that my opinion changed entirely and once I finally let music into my life there was no turning back. At first I tried to find my style and spent a number of years playing in various bands from heavy metal to Indie and then in a family band LEAF, consisting of my two brothers and my sister.
I first started writing songs with LEAF and they were for my sister Aine, who was the lead singer at the time. Most of my early songs were designed to suit her voice and style. We recorded three demos, gigged like crazy and pestered A&R reps all around the world. Success came in different sizes and after a stint with an American label turned sour, we all decided to call it a day and concentrate on our studies.
Over the three years that followed I played all over Ireland as a solo artist while also playing in a re-formed band, RE-LEAF consisting of my sister, brother and two other musicians. Things changed for me over the course of these years. I started to experiment with my own voice and develop my songwriting. I also started playing other instruments - bass, guitar and piano.
In 2000, the biggest influence on my music came in the form of my beautiful Australian wife Eileen. Inspiring me beyond belief and encouraging me to stick with it, Eileen kicked my music into a whole new gear. My solo two-track demo gained considerable interest from record companies in Ireland and the UK and a number of showcases followed. It was all extremely exciting and inspired me to write even more. I wrote one of my favorite songs "Come to Me" three weeks before Eileen and I left Ireland in 2003 for Australia. Little did I know then that just over three years later that same song would be the B-Side of my first commercial single "Night of My Life".
It was mid 2006 when my musical career took a huge turn. While spending the afternoon with two close friends, they convinced me to audition for Australian Idol.
In November 2006, much to my own surprise, I was voted the winner. Within hours, my debut single was released and I was officially signed to Sony BMG.
The blur of the months that followed, saw both my single, "Night of My Life" and album "The Winners Journey" reach the number one spot and the album go four times Platinum.
More incredibly, "Night of My Life" was also embraced in Ireland making the Top 10 on release.
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Post by belinda on Jun 19, 2007 21:31:25 GMT 10
I've got a lump in my throat reading his bio. He's certainly having an amazing musical journey isn't he! I'm dying to hear his song "Who Are You". It sounds like it could touch a lot of people and help them move forward in life.
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Post by hyperrune on Jun 19, 2007 21:55:52 GMT 10
I agree Belinda, I can't wait to hear that song! They should all be great!
It's just amazing to here Damien's perspective on his own career and life, in his own words. In a word, to sound corny and cliched, it's just beautiful, a beautiful description. He's so successful at the moment, and looks to be even more successful, it's almost easy to forget how far he's come and how hard he had to to begin with, unbelievable though that seems when you hear his voice
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Post by Mi chiamano Kami on Jun 19, 2007 22:53:44 GMT 10
Wow - I'm looking forward to hearing the full 'Who You Are' even more now. Damien is one of the few people I can think of from whom songs about 'not feeling sorry for yourself' actually sound promising.
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Post by Spud on Jun 19, 2007 23:10:52 GMT 10
Damien said that the version of 'Who You Are' that is on the B side is a rocky version that he recorded back in Ireland. Can't wait for that!  |
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Post by hyperrune on Jun 19, 2007 23:12:54 GMT 10
Damien said that the version of 'Who You Are' that is on the B side is a rocky version that he recorded back in Ireland. Can't wait for that!  Really?! So it's vintage D? Perhaps rocky as in 'Fool' rocky? Awesome!!!  |
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Post by dededom on Jun 19, 2007 23:24:10 GMT 10
Ooooo "Fool"!. Rockin', angry Damien!   |
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Post by Trilly on Jun 19, 2007 23:43:30 GMT 10
YAY! That sounds great!.. nice if there's a changeup of mood on the release.... looking forward to it very much. I adore Song for Jarvis already, and the other two are new territory ...squeeeee! ;D
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Jun 20, 2007 0:32:05 GMT 10
What an excellent bio. ;D
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Post by Crazy on Jun 20, 2007 17:33:18 GMT 10
that was so enlightening to read - thankyou Roxy & dede  when i met D i told him i loved Song for Jarvis. i'm delighted that's on there too  |
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Really?! So it's vintage D? Perhaps rocky as in 'Fool' rocky? Awesome!!! 
