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.
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.
Hey Damien.. Saw your performance on "Live at the basement" on ABC a few weeks ago and it was great...your fiddle player was the bomb too! Phoar!! Best wishes
hey damien how are you going? me and vanessa have written 3 more songs since the fathers day festival ive been learning a bit of guitar =] xoxo twins =]
Hi Damien, I hope the WA leg of the tour is going well, I had a fantastic time at the Palms on Friday night, you never fail to amaze me the show was awesome as always and I really like your new song too, I can't wait to see the December shows. Take care Love Sue
Hey Damien, Just popped in to say "Hi". I hope you are having a great week in WA. Your gig in Melbourne on Friday night was awesome. Loved your new song. Can't wait for the next new Album. Take Care, LOts Of LOve Di.xoxo
Hi Damien you really are just getting more brilliant each time I see you...only disappointment was my Granddaughters..as she really wanted to meet you and have you sign her CD she bought. So hoping for better luck next time
You never fail to amaze me at your shows, you were simply outstanding at the Palms. You blow me away everytime i see you and leave me wanting more and more of that gorgeous voice of yours :)
Hi Damien I am back home in Sydney town after my adventure in Melbourne with the girls from DLO. What a great time we had. You were fantastic as usual and thank you so much for going along with the fun and singing snippets of ABBA in honour of ABBA week on Idol this week. You were fantastic. I hope you enjoyed the concert as much as we did. I hear that the Perth Telethon is going well too, and a certain member of DLO received a lovely hug from you when you were walking down the red carpet. Enjoy all the concerts that you are doing in WA. Some of the DLO members are seeing you perform live for the first time and they are really excited about it. They have 'senior' member Tina to guide them through 'teh coma' though, so they are in good hands. Once again, have a great time over there. For the uninitiated - DLO = www.damienleithonline.com (Damien Leith Online) Cheers to you and thanks again for the concert in Melbourne. Braffy xxxx *pat*
Hi Damien I'm all packed and rarin' to fly to Melbourne. I am getting excited about meeting Mysterri and the others too. We are going to have a great time. There will be quite a few of us. Hopefully we will hear a new original from you. Anything you sing will be fine though. Love to all from Braffy xxxx *pat*
Damien, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! The Brissy (Qld) leg of the tour was just AMAZINGLY FANTASTIC. I had the best time at all the shows, you are one hell of an entertainer Mr Leith! Just Gorgeous! I Hope you had a great time too, and enjoy the rest of the tour in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Sam Hawksley will be Launching his new self titled album at Bennett's Lane Jazz Club on Sunday 30th of November, entry is $20 and you receive a copy of his new album included with the entry fee. Fans - this is an official CD Launch, Sam will be performing two sets with full band so contact me ASAP to secure your ticket on either Mbl: 0431 834 811 or Email:musogalore@hotmail.com, tickets really are limited.
Hey there Damien, Thank you for some amazing shows over the last few weeks. Many of us at DLO have been lucky enough to attend numerous shows and you never cease to amaze us. Your stunning voice just continues to blow us away and you are so entertaining and funny :) Hope your up and coming shows in Melbourne and Perth are a huge success and we all look forward to seeing you again soon. Love and Hugs, The mods at DLO XOXOXOXOX
not gunna lie to ya but u eric and indi go together like bangas and mash with gravey sounded awsome at harrigans in hunter on friday, hope ya head back soon!
Thanks so much Damien for a fantastic show at Harrigan's and for helping to make it such a special night for the travelling DLO members and partners. What a fun time!! Love to you, Eils and the boys and a cuddle for Billy xoxo o
WOW thanks Damien for an absolutely mindblowing concert at Calypso. You had the entire audience in your hand and gave us all a show to remember for a long time to come. Thank you.
Wow Damien What an awesome time up at Harrigan's in the Hunter Valley. I love the little road trips that I go on with the Damienites from DLO. We had the best time and seeing you perform again was the highlight. Enjoy the rest of the tour and I will see you again soon. (You already know that lol) Big hugs to the family and a pat for Billy Love from Braffy xxxx *pat*
OMG....I am still on Cloud 9. September 26th was one of the best days of my life! Thank you for being part of that and for helping to make it so special. I sure am one lucky gal! And...OMG...I still can't believe I HAVE A CAR! Haha. *Jumps up and down like your Celebration dance*... Thank you D...Love ya XOXOXO
Hi Damien I am really excited. I get to see and hear you two Friday nights in a row. I am off to the Hunter Valley to see you at Harrigans and then next Friday I head to Melbourne to see you at Palms. I can't wait. Both venues mean a 'road trip' or should that be a 'train/road trip/'plane trip'. whichever way you look at it I am very, very excited. Harrigan's will be special because it is Carla's birthday. Love to you and yours from Braffy xxxx *pat*
Another Melburnian here who is very, very excited about The Palms on the 3rd! The wonderful reports from our QLDer mates have us jumping for joy! I'm especially looking forward to hearing your new originals. Enjoy the upcoming gigs and we'll see you soon!
