Something interesting - damien leith

shard · 07-16-2007, 05:24 AM

So earlier this morning I interviewed Damien Leith who is from Ireland and won the last Australian idol, and a bit of the conversation turned to this:

Shard: You know you've actually got the same name and nationality of my favourite artist, Damien Rice

Damien Leith: Oh is he your favourite?

Shard: Big time favourite!

Damien Leith: Oh we used to gig together – when I say gig together we played; myself, Paddy Casey, Damien Rice and another guy, Damien Dempsey, all used to do the same singer songwriter night in a place called Molloys in Dublin, and we did this over the period of about six months. And then one night Damien Rice was on the stage - and it was just a tiny room - and he turned around and said "I’m going to be doing a special showcase of my new album, my first album" and then that was it and we all know what happened with that album.

Shard: That would have been amazing. 'O' might just be my all time favourite album

Damien Leith: Oh it was unbelievable. For years after that… I mean we all knew each other and we were all kind of doing the same sort of stuff but he was playing the Blower’s Daughter back then, and that was years ago. And there was no doubt, once he played that song you just knew it was something special, you know. So good on him, I think it’s fantastic, I’m a massive fan as well. AND, he’s from County Kildare in Ireland which is where I’m from as well – so same county even as well

Shard: Have you seen him since?

Damien Leith: I’ve passed him on the streets in Dublin every now and then, and we’ve done a couple of gigs where he was on after me so I didn’t get to see him or whatever. So I haven’t bumped into him really, but he’s gone to a whole different level now, he just became huge he really did. He’s a man in demand and I say good on him. He’s a fantastic writer and a great performer so good on him!

And apparently Damien Leith's cover of Blowers Daughter was what got him through the first audition as well

So that was the interesting highlight of my morning

audity · 07-16-2007, 05:37 PM

How is an Irishman able to compete in Australian Idol? Does he has dual-citizenship or something?

Shard, I like your avatar.

shard · 07-17-2007, 12:36 AM

I'm not sure what the rules are but I guess not because I'm fairly sure he got his Australian citizenship after Idol had finished. Maybe you just need to be living here? Not sure

Thanks about the avatar

The eye belongs to Juanita Stein from Howling Bells

dboyd · 07-17-2007, 12:38 AM

wow.. that's amazing.. thx for sharing! <3

Caroline · 07-17-2007, 02:58 PM

Shard was this for the paper or a radio station the interview?

Damien Leith was a permanent resident when he auditoned for Australian Idol which is allowed and gained his Australian Citizenship on Australia Day of this year.

I think I remember him saying in the Australian Idol journey that aired a few months ago that he sang with Damien Rice as they showed him and his wife going back to Ireland to see his family and new fanbase.

Moves-My-World · 07-17-2007, 06:10 PM

He also sings Radioheads song Creep which we all know who has covered

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=04cCK836jRU If you got to 1:49 you can hear a snipet of his version of the Blower's Daughter.

shard · 07-17-2007, 08:04 PM

It was for an Australian music website www.accessallareas.net.au

The version up there was edited down though, if you are interested I put up the entire transcript here: www.deathbypole.com/interviews/damienleith.html - the bit about damien rice is down the bottom

Traditionally and as a principle I'm not really a fan of an of the Idol folk... but Leith is a bit different, he's actually got a great voice and comes across as a real geniune guy. His rendition of Creep was very impressive

Caroline · 07-18-2007, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shard

It was for an Australian music website www.accessallareas.net.au

The version up there was edited down though, if you are interested I put up the entire transcript here: www.deathbypole.com/interviews/damienleith.html - the bit about damien rice is down the bottom

Traditionally and as a principle I'm not really a fan of an of the Idol folk... but Leith is a bit different, he's actually got a great voice and comes across as a real geniune guy. His rendition of Creep was very impressive

Thanks very much for the link! Its a really good interview.

I have admit I'm a bit of an Idol Geek, I like watching the show, but I'm never happy with the final product. I'm happy that they've given Damien Leith the chance to make his own album.

dboyd · 07-18-2007, 07:30 AM

i for one hate all idol shows.. but i'll give this guy credit.. he's actually playing and singing... i've never seen any other idol do that when i see my sister watching it.... he's got a pretty good voice too...

07-16-2007, 05:24 AM	#1
shard Eskimo Friend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 80	Something interesting - damien leith So earlier this morning I interviewed Damien Leith who is from Ireland and won the last Australian idol, and a bit of the conversation turned to this: Shard: You know you've actually got the same name and nationality of my favourite artist, Damien Rice Damien Leith: Oh is he your favourite? Shard: Big time favourite! Damien Leith: Oh we used to gig together – when I say gig together we played; myself, Paddy Casey, Damien Rice and another guy, Damien Dempsey, all used to do the same singer songwriter night in a place called Molloys in Dublin, and we did this over the period of about six months. And then one night Damien Rice was on the stage - and it was just a tiny room - and he turned around and said "I’m going to be doing a special showcase of my new album, my first album" and then that was it and we all know what happened with that album. Shard: That would have been amazing. 'O' might just be my all time favourite album Damien Leith: Oh it was unbelievable. For years after that… I mean we all knew each other and we were all kind of doing the same sort of stuff but he was playing the Blower’s Daughter back then, and that was years ago. And there was no doubt, once he played that song you just knew it was something special, you know. So good on him, I think it’s fantastic, I’m a massive fan as well. AND, he’s from County Kildare in Ireland which is where I’m from as well – so same county even as well Shard: Have you seen him since? Damien Leith: I’ve passed him on the streets in Dublin every now and then, and we’ve done a couple of gigs where he was on after me so I didn’t get to see him or whatever. So I haven’t bumped into him really, but he’s gone to a whole different level now, he just became huge he really did. He’s a man in demand and I say good on him. He’s a fantastic writer and a great performer so good on him! And apparently Damien Leith's cover of Blowers Daughter was what got him through the first audition as well So that was the interesting highlight of my morning Last edited by shard; 07-17-2007 at 04:36 AM.

07-16-2007, 05:37 PM	#2
audity High-Five Eskimo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the River Lee, County Cork, Ireland Posts: 1,397	How is an Irishman able to compete in Australian Idol? Does he has dual-citizenship or something? Shard, I like your avatar. __________________ Ireland For Ron Paul "Don't worry, ma'am...I've got permits for these." -The Todd "For everything that's lovely is But a brief, dreamy, kind delight." -William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Irish poet, playwright

07-17-2007, 12:38 AM	#4
dboyd Penguins and Whales Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,274	wow.. that's amazing.. thx for sharing! <3 __________________ "Cause I'm always hanging on, And I'm always closing doors. And I'm always saying no, No, when I really really want it all" - Bottom Shelf "When there's nothing to give Well how can we ask for more" - Delicate

07-18-2007, 07:30 AM	#9
dboyd Penguins and Whales Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,274	i for one hate all idol shows.. but i'll give this guy credit.. he's actually playing and singing... i've never seen any other idol do that when i see my sister watching it.... he's got a pretty good voice too... __________________ "Cause I'm always hanging on, And I'm always closing doors. And I'm always saying no, No, when I really really want it all" - Bottom Shelf "When there's nothing to give Well how can we ask for more" - Delicate

07-17-2007, 12:36 AM	#3
shard Eskimo Friend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 80	I'm not sure what the rules are but I guess not because I'm fairly sure he got his Australian citizenship after Idol had finished. Maybe you just need to be living here? Not sure Thanks about the avatar The eye belongs to Juanita Stein from Howling Bells

07-17-2007, 02:58 PM	#5
Caroline Eskimo Baby Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 11	Shard was this for the paper or a radio station the interview? Damien Leith was a permanent resident when he auditoned for Australian Idol which is allowed and gained his Australian Citizenship on Australia Day of this year. I think I remember him saying in the Australian Idol journey that aired a few months ago that he sang with Damien Rice as they showed him and his wife going back to Ireland to see his family and new fanbase.

07-17-2007, 06:10 PM	#6
Moves-My-World Eskimo Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 560	He also sings Radioheads song Creep which we all know who has covered http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=04cCK836jRU If you got to 1:49 you can hear a snipet of his version of the Blower's Daughter.

07-17-2007, 08:04 PM	#7
shard Eskimo Friend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 80	It was for an Australian music website www.accessallareas.net.au The version up there was edited down though, if you are interested I put up the entire transcript here: www.deathbypole.com/interviews/damienleith.html - the bit about damien rice is down the bottom Traditionally and as a principle I'm not really a fan of an of the Idol folk... but Leith is a bit different, he's actually got a great voice and comes across as a real geniune guy. His rendition of Creep was very impressive