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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Oct 31, 2013 3:35:01 GMT 10
Thursday 31st October AND Friday st November, 2013
191 Beaufort St
Perth WA 6000
(08) 9228 1088
DAMIEN LEITH
With his seventh studio album on the horizon, Damien Leith is feeling more inspired than he’s ever been as he enters a new and exciting phase of his career.
The enormously popular singer and songwriter has returned to his roots as a songwriter and has penned 12 new original tracks for his appropriately titled album ‘Chapter Seven’.
Damien’s story thus far is familiar to millions. He won the affection of a nation through the vehicle of reality TV, and enjoyed multiple platinum-selling albums on a major record label. Damien’s new chapter is a story of independence, and a new direction.
The Irish-born troubadour recorded Chapter Seven in a studio he built himself. The result is an honest and poetic collection of beautifully crafted songs that showcase Damien’s vocals and songwriting skills like never before. What’s more, this time Damien takes control on the recording and production front too.
“I’ve never been this strongly involved on all sides of a project, from the writing, the production, the mixing; everything,” Damien says. ‘I’ve worked countless hours on this album, often losing track of time and being totally consumed by the music. It’s been such a rewarding and exciting experience.”
Damien has certainly come a long way, in every sense. The multi-talented artist has called Australia home for more than a decade. Australia, in his words, “has been good” to him. Early on, he performed and toured with his family group, the independent act "Leaf” (and later “Releaf”). His career skyrocketed when he contested the 2006 edition of Australian Idol, a series he went on to win. Damien captured the attention of a nation, and brought the country along with him for an incredible ride.
“It’s been a big journey and an amazing learning curve. When I entered the contest I’d been gigging for a long time but I’ve learnt so much more since then. In the past six years, I’ve learned a lot about the industry, the business, about myself and the things that drive me and what I’m passionate about. It’s been an incredible time and here’s to the next 6 years and beyond!”
The ride has featured more thrills than spills. In 2007 and 2009, Damien showed-off his creative talents when he published two novels, ‘One More time’ and then ‘Remember June’ to accompany his album release of the same name. He has won four ARIA Awards and topped the Australian sales charts. His song Beautiful accompanied a global Estee Lauder campaign. Through it all, he’s not jaded. And he’s still hungry.
On Chapter Seven, Damien showcases the artist he has become. “I wanted positive songs,” he explains. “In the album I cover a lot of different themes, love, loss and everything in between. But I’ve tried to approach them from a more positive outlook. It’s true to the style people know me for.” The album has a mix of ballads and up-tempo songs. And Damien is in good voice with his trademark falsetto. “There’s a good balance running through the whole album. It has an acoustic feel, but has big songs as well. I love that I can strip back any song to guitar and it still sounds just as good”.
And he’s brought some influential friends into the picture. Famed producer and sound engineer David Nicholas – who has worked with luminaries from Elton John to INXS -- mixed the album, and co-produced some of the tracks. Other great hit makers such as Gary Clark (Natalie Imbruglia, The Wanted, The Veronicas) and Jon Vella (Meatloaf, Ricky Martin) came on board to add their touch to the album along with, Joe Melson, the songwriting legend who co-penned Roy Orbison’s “Only the Lonely” and “Crying”. Damien and Joe have been writing together for some time now and two of their new songs feature on this album. ‘It’s been an absolute honour to work with Joe whose become a close friend and mentor’.
Naturally, Damien has been drawing inspiration from The Big O, the artist who served as a creative well for his hit 2011 album Roy – A Tribute to Roy Orbison. That said the main inspiration behind the album came from his studio and from experimenting with sounds and working away in a new creative space. A lot came through that process. I honed in on the essence of my sound, trying to get the best out of my voice and spending a lot of time on the lyrics and moulding them to my voice. There are different chants, and “moments” in the songs, which are really special.
A notable family-man, Damien’s decision to return to the independent music world was made at home. Chapter Seven is released through a relationship with Social Family Records, and it’s had the blessing from Damien’s family. “Going independent is a big decision. It doesn’t just affect me but my wife and kids. Without (Damien’s wife) Eileen’s support it wouldn’t be possible to go in this direction. We all need to be united and feel this is something we want. Eileen is the driving force saying, ‘you can do it.’ And I think that’s brilliant.”
Chapter Seven will arrive in November, with support from the first release single ‘Without a Fight’. Damien admits he’s in seventh heaven. “I’m absolutely thrilled with it. There’s a sound that runs through the entire album and it’s my sound.” All the elements are in place for Damien to crash through the next phase of his brilliant career. Chance and good fortune are also covered. The number 7, explains Damien with a smile, “it’s my lucky number.”
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Oct 31, 2013 20:39:31 GMT 10
The tour is underway tonight.......
HAVE A GREAT ONE DAMIEN.
Enjoy the gig tomorrow night at this venue Deb.
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Post by dmac on Oct 31, 2013 23:26:48 GMT 10
Hope you all had a great time tonight and enjoy Friday night Deb and co  |
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Post by debangel on Oct 31, 2013 23:50:06 GMT 10
Don't know anyone there tonight, weird to do same venue 2 nights, starting on a Thursday night. And feels really wierd  to think that Damien is on stage right at this very moment, here in Perth and I am not there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  . Just couldn't stretch the time, budget, kids, health.... to four in a row!
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Nov 1, 2013 23:47:06 GMT 10
I hope you are having a wonderful time Deb and that Damien is a great tonic for you. It would be good being there on Release Day.
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Post by Trilly on Nov 2, 2013 16:08:21 GMT 10
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Nov 2, 2013 23:29:58 GMT 10
Deb is not well  so may not be up to it but hopefully Tina will be able to write something. Joins Trilly in waiting for a report   |
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Post by princess1 on Nov 3, 2013 5:01:49 GMT 10
I'm looking forward to reading the reports too, I hope you all had a fantastic time ladies  |
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Post by Tina on Nov 3, 2013 10:39:11 GMT 10
I'm having trouble logging in - so here's my guest report!!
The Ellington was such a diffent venue for us to hear Damien in the West. A jazz club housed in an old two story building with room for about 100 in little round tables squashed in a small area and a small amount of standing room around the bar at the back, plus viewing rooms upstairs where you can go and watch the event on tv screens. We arrived to find that we had the table in the far corner, the furtherest away from the stage (but probably still only 10 metres away, if that).
Andy came on first about 7.30 and played to 8.40 - I enjoyed his songwriting, his humour and his passion. I can see why he and Damien have struck up a friendship and make a great writing team!
Damien came on at 9pm and launched straight into his new album. Deb wrote down the songlist, so I will leave it up to her to give the fine details later, but he played almost all of the songs from Chapter 7, except a couple - I know he didn't play Stronger than Superman because Deb asked him about that at the end. He also played a few covers, Hallelujah, a song from Roy (Only The Lonely, maybe?), and Beautiful - where he played on the grand piano on the stage! A highlight for me was when Andy joined him on stage and played guitar with Eric while Damien played on the piano, and they sang See You Again together - fantastic!!! Unfortunately Damien only had just over an hour to play as there was another band scheduled for 10.30pm, so he was very apologetic and squeezed in probably one more song than he should have, they didn't do an encore, but he said to pretend that he had left the stage and then he and Eric ripped into a fabulous rendition of Pretty Woman. So it was too short, but certainly sweet!!
Damien did a bit of a signing, not out in the main area but in a little back section, so I don't think many people realised he was there. So after a few people had got there albums signed (he sold out on the night!!), Deb and I had a lovely cuddle and chat with him. I'm always still shocked that Damien remembers my name after all these years, can't help but love the man! He commented that he was disappointed that it was only a short show, but there was nothing he could do. He said the Thursday night show was really good - probably longer as they don't have three acts on Thursday night. He was really keen to know what we thought of the new album, and I told him that I had managed to download the songs before leaving for my hours trip to the concert, so I had managed to hear the album through fully once on the way to the event which was fantastic!! I had written on my phone my top songs (while I was stopped at lights) along the trip and showed them to him - Halfway Heart, See You Again, Never Forget, I Can Stop You Crying - on first listen, although I have added more since! Poor Deb, she could not download the online copy and of course we hadn't received our CD's which Damien was disappointed with as well!
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Post by Tina on Nov 3, 2013 10:43:26 GMT 10
Deb went to the Joondalup event last night, and we'll both be at the Mandurah gig tonight which is a sell out! She'll be exhaused after the weekend, I hope her health improves! I'm really looking forward to a full show tonight, and since I have now listened to the album many more times, I'll be able to sing along to more of the words!
Song highlights of the night for me were See You Again, I Can Stop you Crying and Without a Fight, along with Pretty Woman. I really love the new album, I love the different tones in Damien's voice and I really hope it gives him the success he deserves!
Sorry it's been so long since I've been on here - life has just got in the way! But never fear, my regard for Damien is as strong as ever!!
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Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Nov 3, 2013 13:40:28 GMT 10
Thanks so much Tina. We have all been wondering how it was. Here's hoping Deb feels so much better after a Damien gig or 3  Ah, so that is why Damien was in JB Hi Fi - he was re stocking his supplies for sale.  To think that I thought it was to see his CD on the shelf and finally for sale. Great report too, so thank you |
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Post by princess1 on Nov 3, 2013 16:47:19 GMT 10
Thanks for your report Tina, what a shame the show had to be cut short, I know we all want to hear as much of Damien as we possibly can, I'm gad you all had a nice time and that you got a lovely cuddle from Damien. Have a great time tonight  |
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Post by Trilly on Nov 3, 2013 17:04:33 GMT 10
Yay, thanks Tina! So great to hear reports on the start of the tour. Sorry Deb is unwell. Hope she gets better soon. Great news he sold out of the new album! Pity about the shorter show but sounds like he was in fine voice. Enjoy the next gig! |
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Post by plugger on Nov 3, 2013 23:21:12 GMT 10
Tina thank you for your report. I so hope Deb is ok, and sorry to hear she has not been well. Hope the shows have given her a lift , one that it sounds like she truly needs.
Tina, I have the strongest feeling Damien doesn't forget anything or anyone, that is jut him, the person he is, but you already kniw rTharkindest of people, and just out there for everyone, he is tge very bestvblokehe is, a bloody nice bloke! Nw if he ends up really, really rich, and really, really famous from all this......I still know he will never forget you guys and what you all have for hin, known tombe before hi,bfor him, past and preslojoyibbhim
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Post by dmac on Nov 4, 2013 1:12:35 GMT 10
Thanks for the great report Tina, the show was probably about the same length as the preview shows. It's great he sold all the CDs too. Lovely that you were able to catch up and chat, but sorry Deb is not well. Just hope she's able to enjoy the other shows  |
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