Re: Herald Sun (17 JULY 2013) Damien Leith leaves
Jul 18, 2013 10:27:36 GMT 10
Post by plugger on Jul 18, 2013 10:27:36 GMT 10
Damien Leith leaves Sony to become independent act
www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/damien-leith-leaves-sony-to-become-independent-act/story-fni0bvjn-1226680902265
AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Damien Leith has left his major record label deal with Sony.
Leith has chosen to become an independent act to release original songs not covers albums.
His first self-penned release in four years will be a new album released on November 1.
"I did six albums with Sony, I had a great run, but my contract had come to an end," Leith said.
"There's no bad blood. It was a mutual thing. It was time for a change after seven years. But 10 months ago I put my focus entirely on original songs. There were all sorts of different options, but I made the decision to put those options to one side and just do originals. Once I started doing that, I looked at the best way to move forward with that kind of album and thought it'd be nice to go down the independent route."
Leith has signed with new indie label Social Family Records, who recently landed the Baby Animal's comeback album in the Top 20.
"I built my own studio ten months ago and it's gotten me back into the headspace of loving writing original music again," Leith said.
Leith's sold over 450,000 albums since Idol, however his four albums of cover versions were his bestsellers.
Leith's covers album have had an unexpected bonus - Joe Melson who co-wrote Roy Orbison songs Only the Lonely and Crying heard Leith's versions of the songs and requested a meeting in Nashville.
The pair have now written a swag of songs together, two of which have made Leith's new album.
"Joe and I have been Skyping each other one day a week every week for the last year to write songs. He's become the ultimate mentor, he knows so much, from vocals to songwriting to the industry. He's got a lot of good Roy stories too, but they all stay in the vault. The songs we've written are closer to Ed Sheeran than Roy Orbison though. The style of this album is very me, it's not like I've gone on a big departure. It definitely has an acoustic feel through it. I think people who've followed me over the years will enjoy it."
The new deal means Leith will own his music, unlike his restrictive post-Idol contract. His huge fanbase gives him a ready made audience to tap into with new material.
"With the independent route, you take on a lot more (financially) but if it works out the returns can be better."
Leith said he could understand why covers album situation has continued with contestants from The Voice.
"I support all those shows, they've helped me out and loads of people out. And you understand the covers albums released straight after the show, there's reasons for all that. But I'd love to see the contestants on The Voice being allowed to pick their own songs on the show. You'd love a little bit more of the contestants saying "I chose this song because..'' never mind the mentors. We got to pick our songs on Idol, sometimes for the better and the worse. You live and die by your own sword and that's a good thing."
Leith will play preview shows for his new album at Sydney's The Vanguard on September 20 and Melbourne's Bennett's Lane on September 21. Tickets are on sale now from the venue
Thanks Spud, it's great news
www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/damien-leith-leaves-sony-to-become-independent-act/story-fni0bvjn-1226680902265
AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Damien Leith has left his major record label deal with Sony.
Leith has chosen to become an independent act to release original songs not covers albums.
His first self-penned release in four years will be a new album released on November 1.
"I did six albums with Sony, I had a great run, but my contract had come to an end," Leith said.
"There's no bad blood. It was a mutual thing. It was time for a change after seven years. But 10 months ago I put my focus entirely on original songs. There were all sorts of different options, but I made the decision to put those options to one side and just do originals. Once I started doing that, I looked at the best way to move forward with that kind of album and thought it'd be nice to go down the independent route."
Leith has signed with new indie label Social Family Records, who recently landed the Baby Animal's comeback album in the Top 20.
"I built my own studio ten months ago and it's gotten me back into the headspace of loving writing original music again," Leith said.
Leith's sold over 450,000 albums since Idol, however his four albums of cover versions were his bestsellers.
Leith's covers album have had an unexpected bonus - Joe Melson who co-wrote Roy Orbison songs Only the Lonely and Crying heard Leith's versions of the songs and requested a meeting in Nashville.
The pair have now written a swag of songs together, two of which have made Leith's new album.
"Joe and I have been Skyping each other one day a week every week for the last year to write songs. He's become the ultimate mentor, he knows so much, from vocals to songwriting to the industry. He's got a lot of good Roy stories too, but they all stay in the vault. The songs we've written are closer to Ed Sheeran than Roy Orbison though. The style of this album is very me, it's not like I've gone on a big departure. It definitely has an acoustic feel through it. I think people who've followed me over the years will enjoy it."
The new deal means Leith will own his music, unlike his restrictive post-Idol contract. His huge fanbase gives him a ready made audience to tap into with new material.
"With the independent route, you take on a lot more (financially) but if it works out the returns can be better."
Leith said he could understand why covers album situation has continued with contestants from The Voice.
"I support all those shows, they've helped me out and loads of people out. And you understand the covers albums released straight after the show, there's reasons for all that. But I'd love to see the contestants on The Voice being allowed to pick their own songs on the show. You'd love a little bit more of the contestants saying "I chose this song because..'' never mind the mentors. We got to pick our songs on Idol, sometimes for the better and the worse. You live and die by your own sword and that's a good thing."
Leith will play preview shows for his new album at Sydney's The Vanguard on September 20 and Melbourne's Bennett's Lane on September 21. Tickets are on sale now from the venue
Thanks Spud, it's great news
