1. Thank you very much for your time! Before we introduce your new release to our readers – what kind of drink would you recommend to sip on while they listen to your new music?
I’d go with a glass of Jameson Irish whiskey, neat or on the rocks, your choice.
It’s the perfect drink to drift into memories and just let yourself go. Close your eyes, lean back and let the music do the rest.
2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
My latest album “Standarte” was released recently, and I’m still overwhelmed by the international response it received. Now I’m releasing CALEB on May 29: newly mixed and remastered by Jay Dixie (who’s worked on tracks for artists like Meghan Trainor and Flo Rida). It’s a male/male duet about loss, processing emotions and shared memories.
I’m also working on bringing this material to the stage, but that’s still a few months away before I can share more concrete details.
3. We live in times of many conspiracy theories. Which, harmless, theory would you wish were true? (For example Dinos living inside Earth or E.T. living in a home in California)
As a fan of Dan Brown and The X-Files, that’s exactly my kind of question If I had to pick one, I’d say Elvis Presley is still alive. He was a huge musical influence on my mother, who clearly passed that rock’n’roll gene on to me. And even if it’s not true: his music definitely is immortal.
4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
I’d probably go with DIESEL. Rebellious, provocative and unconventional, those are labels that have followed my music for years. And yes, I actually wear DIESEL quite a bit, not so much as a statement, but simply because I like the aesthetic.
5. Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?
If there’s a common thread running through my music, it’s melancholy — but not in a negative sense. For me, it’s a mix of reflection and longing. And very quickly, that brings us to love in all its forms, probably the strongest emotion we have. Between falling in love and heartbreak, there are endless stories to tell.
My lyrics are always rooted in personal experiences, sometimes very directly, but more often embedded in stories that only reveal their full meaning after a few listens.
I want to take listeners on a journey, but leave it up to them which parts of that journey matter most to them.
6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?
Limitless, almost fatalistic optimism. And apparently I have a way of passing that on to people (at least for a while). If that counts as a talent, I’ll take it
7. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
1. No compromises.
I’m basically an algorithm killer, for I don’t follow trends. I do what I feel, when I feel it. From progressive metal to punk, gothic rock, Irish folk, even musical theatre and pop-rock. Every emotion has its own sound.
2. Quiet authenticity.
Being openly queer is part of who I am, but I don’t turn it into a statement piece. It shows up in my music naturally, sometimes more, sometimes less. I’d describe myself more as a silent seeker than someone shouting for attention.
3. Emotion over perfection.
In a time where technology can perfect everything, I value authenticity over polish. Imperfections are what make a song real. As well as humans.
4. The best songs happen fast.
My strongest songs were written in a rush, when the emotion was too strong to ignore. Capture it, refine it slightly, done.
5. I’m a storyteller first.
Lyrics matter more to me than anything else. I never even planned to become a singer, and I’m still happy to step back or share the mic if it serves the song.
8. The road so far…. who or what was your biggest support??
Without a doubt: the fans. They constantly remind me why I’m doing this. Their appreciation, and even their criticism, keeps me moving forward and improving. I’m incredibly grateful for that.
9. A question you’d like to answer, but never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
Q: What’s something people often misunderstand about your music?
A: That it’s dark for the sake of being dark. But it’s not. It’s emotional. There’s always a sense of hope somewhere in it, even if it’s hidden beneath layers of melancholy.
Your Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damiencainireland/