Damien Leith's musical odyssey has been nothing short of extraordinary, one which has played out before the eyes of a captivated nation. The Irish-born troubadour's career went stratospheric when he appeared on, and subsequently won, the 2006 edition of Australian Idol. Along the way, Leith's touching songs have captured millions of hearts and multiple platinum awards. The singer-songwriter's journey continues with the new album, Remember June, his third studio set and his strongest to date.
The album embodies a maturing Leith, its rich textures of sound not light-years from the world-beating output of Keane and Coldplay. "This definitely feels like I'm slowly becoming the musician I'd like to be," he muses. Previous albums Where We Land and the covers set Catch the Wind established Leith as one of the finest vocalists in the land. But in his own words, "This is probably the only one that really feels like a 'me' record." With producer Stuart Crichton [Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Delta] bringing his considerable clout to the new recordings, Remember June has a resounding international quality. It's full of highpoints from the crisp, radio-friendly track "To Get To You," and the haunting "Forgive, Forget." Leith's trademark falsetto shines through in "Wouldn't Change a Thing," and there's the punching, piano-driven "Golden Line."
It's been six years since he left his homeland, but Leith is feeling right at home in Australia. And it shows in his music, which has grown up and matured quite like this happily married father-of-two. It's a body of work whose underlying theme studies the highs and lows of life. But its not a ballad album, Damien stresses. "This album is not as personal as I've done before. It's deep in some places, but it's not necessarily lifted from my own life. Some of the songs definitely came from other influences." This time, Leith has drawn deep from the well of conceptual albums, the likes of which David Bowie and The Who would be proud. "I've always liked the big-sounding albums, with cool middle-eights, big choruses and big changes. Definitely with this album, I've managed to get certainly an element of that."
Remember June is Damien plugged-in and on song. His vocals are as beautiful as ever, but there's a tougher edge this time around. "Stuart really pushed me to sing hard. In the back of our minds was The Killers meets Roy Orbison. It kept coming back time and time again, to go for the bigger notes. On this album I wanted a lot of heaviness." Leith penned the bulk of the album but formed an amazing writing partnership with Crichton - a winning formula. Crichton had originally come on board to assist writing "Forgive, Forget," one of the standout tracks on the album. However, when Crichton headed back to his native Scotland, Leith immediately realised he couldn't let this one get away. So he reached out, and reeled-back his collaborator. "It was a total laugh working with him," notes Leith, "But he's a nutcase behind it all. He's got an intensive crazy side about him, and I suppose he wouldn't be as good as he is if he didn't. When people say 'get a good producer,' they're talking about Stuart Crichton."
In the process of writing and recording the album, Leith was simultaneously working on his upcoming novel, due to be released in early 2010. A follow-up to the artist's "One More Time", there are parallels between the songs on Remember June and the themes of the novel. "It's sometimes difficult to separate yourself from the two forms of writing," explains Damien. "I might write a strong or emotional chapter in the book and later that evening, subconsciously, write a song of a similar theme - it's so easy to get attached to your characters."
On Remember June, Leith has mixed all the right ingredients with more than enough care and attention to take another tilt at success. REMEMBER JUNE IS RELEASED on OCTOBER 16 2009
Thanks for all the tour dates Damien. You are going to be so busy the start of next year. So exciting and looking forward to going to a couple of the shows :) We still have Remember June on REPEAT in this house. Absolutely loving it and can't wait to hear a new single on the radio soon! Sending you and the family lots of love and hugs.. XOXOXOXOX
Entries are now open for the 2010 Angry Film Festival.
For more details go to www.angryproductions.org and download an entry form. There is an early bird deadline until the end of November 2009 for all Australian entries of $15. After November it will go up to $25.
The only criteria is that films must be under 15 minutes. Overseas entries are free.
Hi there Damien I am so loving 'Remember June'. I was driving for over 100km yesterday and had 'Remember June' ♥♥♥♥ blasting away the whole time. It was a fantastic and enjoyable trip. There are no bad songs, just brilliant ones.
I enjoyed hearing you co - host on NOVA100 last night.
Have a lovely weekend and say hi to the family from me.
Love from Braffy xxxx *pat* PS - Beautiful photos in the magazine articles. ♥♥♥♥
Hey Damien, Just loving listening to Remember June, the whole album is just brilliant. The Show at the State Theatre was INCREDIBLE! You guys just rocked the house, your voice was the best I've ever heard it. Thank you soooo much for a fantastic night. All the best Sue xoxo
Hi Damien, Thankyou so much for an AWESOME show at Thornbury on Saturday, you really ROCKED !!!! I LOve your new style & All the songs on REMEMBER JUNE. Can't wait to see you at the Palms in December....It's too far away :( Take Care, LOts Of LOve Di XOXO
WOW D! LOVED the show at The Thornbury too. I was totally blown away by the BIG sound and your amazing Remember June songs LIVE! Man, you guys really know how to ROCK! My only sad thought is that you didn't get to sing Wouldn't Change A Thing. I love that song. Next time at The Palms, OK? ;)
Hi Damien, Thankyou for a magnificent show on Saturday night, The Thornbury Theatre absolutely rocked, I love all the new songs from REMEMBER JUNE and they all sounded awesome with the band. Have a great week Take care Love Sue
Thanks so much for the fabulous show on Friday, Damien. The band sounded awesome, your voice was unbelievable, and I am LOVING the new songs - all of them! Well worth the trip to Sydney; I may have to come again next year :-) Kath xxx
WOW Damien, that was the best show of yours I've ever been to last night at the State Theatre, total MAGIC from start to finish!!
Just loved hearing the new songs from Remember June live & the full band with you. Your voice is in spectacular form!!! So many incredible moments through the whole show - still gives me goosebumps!!
Hope you had a great night tonight at the Thornbury, can't wait for your tour to start soon and hear it all again!!
WOW! WOW! WOW! Damien, I don't know the correct words to use for the show at the State Theatre last night. You owned the stage. The sound was unbelievable. The band was incredible. 'Remember June' sounds fantastic as a CD, but in the live performance environment it ROCKED THE HOUSE. Congratulatiuons on one hell of an album. Have another great time tonight at the Thornbury Theatre in Melbourne. People who go to this will not be disappointed - you will be blown away. *cranking up the CD now* Love from Braffy xxxx *pat* xx
Hey Damien, I am loving your new album 'REMEMBER JUNE'. Looking forward to hearing the songs live and seeing you on Saturday, can't wait. LOts Of LOve Di xoxo
Hi Damien Only one more sleep until the show at the State Theatre. I am so pumped for this as I am sure you are. You sound fantastic with the band and you are going to knock peoples socks off. You will be amongst lots of family and friends and there will be big grins all around. Good luck Damien. Love from Braffy xxxx *pat* xx (for your visitors)
Hey D, We are all so excited about your launch shows this Friday and Saturday. You must be so excited and pumped to be playing with a band in such gorgeous venues! I have had REMEMBER JUNE on repeat since I got my copy on Friday. It's THE most amazing album. I am totally smitten with it! :) Can't wait for the State Theatre this Friday, it's going to ROCK! See you then! XOXOXOX
Remember June is so FANTASTIC, Damien - just loving being able to play it again and again at last and discovering all the intricacies of the songs. It's so beautfully crafted and as always your singing is pure magic!!
You've gone all out to make one amazing classic album "for all of time", it's an outstanding achievement!!!
Have a great week getting ready for the launch shows, can't wait to see you performing the songs this week with full band alongside - these shows are going to rock!!
Wow Damien absolutely amazing album. got my copy and is now on repeat in the car, waiting to get more and signed one to arrive. Was so lovely to sit down with a red and watch the Dvd. Love the blogs they are tops. Wish you heaps of success with this, and to let you know my daughter and husband danced to NOML at their wedding. It was gorgeous. cheers. Lorraine.
