21/11/13 ILLAWARRA MERCURY - Damien Leith back on the road

[thebraff (Braffy)]

www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1921647/damien-leith-back-on-the-road/?cs=300

Damien Leith back on the road
Nov. 20, 2013, 5:48 p.m.

Damien Leith's seventh album, Chapter Seven, draws on his heritage.

Damien Leith's seventh album, Chapter Seven, draws on his heritage.

DAMIEN LEITH

WITHOUT A FIGHT TOUR

Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre Studio, Nowra, December 7

It's been a big seven years for 2006 Idol winner Damien Leith.

Despite having seven albums to his name, he still sees his family as his biggest achievement.

Since his 2006 Idol appearance, there have been two additions to his family and although they are still very young, he says that his two sons and daughter already possess a love of all things musical.

"There are musical instruments all around the house; they just pick them up and try to play them," he says.

"It would be great if the industry eventually opened its doors for them but if it doesn't that's OK."

The artist recently left the record label Sony, releasing his first independent album this month, and is taking it on tour, supported by Canadian folk-rock artist Andy Brown.

The two artists co-wrote the songs, See You Again and Never Forget, for Leith's new album.

After one writing session the two connected and became friends.

"It is just a really nice partnership," says Brown.

"It's a really good connection, we laugh a lot on the road. It's just really enjoyable."

Although excited about the tour, Leith admits that life on the road can be tough.

"When you start off the tour, it's fine because you're busy, things are always happening but a couple of weeks into the tour, it does get hard," he says.

Spending extended periods of time away from his family is hard, but he says it just wasn't fair to the kids to bring them on tour.

"We Skype and have heaps of phone calls but mainly we try and make the most of time when I am not on tour and am home," Leith says.

"I am lucky, though, I get to spend more time with my kids than most people do.

"It's all about being a dad when I am at home."

Brown agrees. "I do often get a little homesick," he says.

"It's always difficult, it just kinda [sic] goes with the territory. If I wasn't out doing what I love then I wouldn't be who I am.

"Here in Australia, being 11,000 miles away, I actually don't feel too homesick. It's kind of a home away from home now."

Leith's seventh album is aptly named Chapter Seven.

The album draws on his heritage, using traditional Irish instruments to capture a uniquely raw sound.

"It was time to move on from covers," says Leith, adding that he has always been more passionate about producing and writing his own material, describing the experience as "magical".

"There is a great risk involved, you do go out on a limb as an independent and it's like releasing yourself," he says.

"I hope to record a lot now that I am independent, that's something I have the freedom to do."