Damien Dempsey
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Damien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter.
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[edit] Early life
Born and raised in Donaghmede, a Northside suburb of Dublin, his earliest musical influences come from the post-pub musical sessions that were held in his parents house when he was a toddler.
Upon completing secondary school, he attended the Ballyfermot "Rock School" for 2 years. There he studied musical performance and management, and his first EP, "The Contender" was released in 1995 on the school's record label.
[edit] Musical career
His first commercial single "Dublin Town" was released in 1997, and reached number 18 in the Irish music charts. The Irish music magazine "Hot Press" praised the single, remarking that it was "..an underground anthem for disaffected youth and closet balladeer alike". His first album, titled "They Don't Teach This Shit In School" and released in 2000, contained a re-recorded version of this song.
His next release, in 2002, the "Negative Vibes EP" featured Sinéad O'Connor on the title track and led to an invitation to support Sinéad on her 2002/2003 Irish, UK and European tour. Tabloid rumours arose that Damien was the father of Sinead's third child while they toured.
Damien's second full-length album, "Seize the Day", was released in May 2003 in Ireland on Clear Records via Sony and entered the charts in its first week of release at No. 5. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. Released in May 2004 in the UK on IRL, the album was awarded "CD of the Week" in the Sunday Times and received enthusiastic reviews in the National and music press.
[edit] Awards
- Nominated in 4 categories in the 2004 Irish Meteor Music Awards, Damien walked away with two, the only 2004 double winner.
- In 2006 and 2007, Damien Dempsey added to his collection of Meteor Awards when he won Best Irish Male.
[edit] Documentary
A documentary, It's All Good: The Damien Dempsey Story, by independent filmmaker Dara McCluskey, that followed Damien's career progression up to the release of "Seize the Day", was broadcast on Ireland's national television station RTÉ and shown at film festivals in Ireland and New York. Shows how far Damien Dempsey has come in becoming a Platinum selling artist ("It's All Good: The Damien Dempsey Story" 52 Minute Documentary online).
In 2004 Dempsey toured extensively headlining his own shows as well as supporting Bob Dylan during the Irish leg of his European tour and making his debut appearances at The Fleadh and Womad.
He has earned the support of his peers, particularly Morrissey, who invited Damien to support him on various UK and Irish dates as well as his autumn 2004 US tour. Morrissey went on to sign Damien to his label (Attack), and "Seize the Day" had its U.S. release in October 2004.
His third album, "Shots", simultaneously released in Ireland and the UK in March 2005 entered the Irish album charts at #1.
He supported British folk-rock band The Levellers on their UK tour in the spring of 2006 as well as playing at The Levellers' music festival Beautiful Days in August 2006.
Damien's first live album, "Live at The Olympia" was released June 2006 in Ireland and the UK. The album was recorded at Dublin's Olympia Theatre on December 15, 2005.
"Shots" was released in the U.S. on the United For Opportunity label in June 2006 and Damien undertook a coast to coast tour.
On the Fleadh 2007 tour Damien, along with Sharon Shannon's Big Band, toured Ireland and the UK with Willie Nelson.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- They don't teach this shit in school (2000)
- Seize the day (2004) to buy "Seize the Day" on UFO
- Shots (2005)
- Live at The Olympia (2006)
- Shots (June 2006 US release) including 3 bonus tracks from "Live at The Olympia"
- "They Don't Teach This Shit In School" US September 26, 2006 release on UFO site
[edit] Singles and EPs
- The Contender (1995)
- Dublin Town (1997)
- It's All Good (live)(2003)
- Negative Vibes (2004)
- It's All Good (2004)
- The Apple of my Eye (live)(2004)
- Hold Me
