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.
Is it finished yet? I hope the album's how you wanted it to be. Catch you in a few weeks, Damien. I'm looking forward to a few sneak previews :-) Hopefully you're having a good breather now.
Hi Damien This time in 2 weeks we will be high in 'teh coma' following your Lizotte's Newcastle performance. There are a few of us travelling to this gig and we are all excited about it. A big road trip, except it is mainly by plane or train. We are having a big pyjama party afterwards at Dawn's. Can you imagine the noise? Keep well and in fine voice. Looking forward to hearing more about the album. Love from Braffy xxxx *pat*
Hey D, Loving all the video blogs, this album sounds like it will be a-rockin!! Woohoo!! When's the single release?? Dying to know moreeeeeeee!! Pop over to DLO sometime and have a chat! *Mwha*
Hi Damien, How's it going? Glad to hear you have nearly finished your new Album, I can't wait to hear it!! Hope you & your family are all well. See you soon! LOts Of LOve Di. XOXO
Sounds like you're really close to finishing the album now! Loving the video blogs :)
Was absolutely shocked to hear about the ambience deprivation you suffered without your promised candles all these weeks - that will never do, lol.
Hope everything is going great for you there in the studio. Have a great time as you finish the recording, so looking forward to hearing the new songs in full.
Hey thanks for adding me. I hope you like my song “Silent Cry”. I’m trying to raise awareness for Post Abortion Syndrome, please help me spread the word. Please forward my song to anyone you know .. Thx
Vido Blog #5 is as funny as ever D! ByeBye G.. Loving the vocals. Second rate? In ya dreams, mate!.. candles and incense or no candles and incense!! bwhaha! Can't wait to hear the whole thing..and yeah, any idea of the release dates yet? We're hangin here!
Hi Damien I hope everything is going great with the recording, I'm looking forward to hearing the first single, any idea when its going to be released? Have a great week Love Sue
Hi there Damien We are enjoying all your tweets. Will there be a video blog this week? I hope you are progressing nicely with the mixing of the new album and I am anticipating a fantastic single to be released SOON please......*begs* Love to all from Braffy xxxx *pat*
Hey D, Loving all your Twitter updates and love the sound of the new songs and their titles. We are really enjoying your V Blogs and teasers. Brilliant. Keep up the great work. You have us all hanging out for the next few months :) Love to you and the family.. XOXOXOXO
