PROFILE
Damien Dempsey is from Donaghmede on Dublin's Northside. His earliest musical influences were the post-pub singsongs that his parents used to have at their home when he was a toddler. Good, bad or indifferent, everyone had to sing. Today his unique sound reflects the influence of traditional Sean-Nós as well as his musical heroes: Bob Marley and Elvis Presley.
After completing his secondary education Damien went on to Dublin’s Ballyfermot "Rock School" for two years where he studied musical performance as well as the practical side of the music industry. The school had its own small record label and star students were awarded a release on the label. Damien was chosen for that honour and the EP, The Contender, was released in 1995.
In 1997, "Dublin Town", Damien's first commercial single, reached Number 18 in the Irish charts. Irish music periodical Hot Press remarked that it was "…an underground anthem for disaffected youth and closet balladeers alike".
A re-recorded version of the song appeared on Damien's first album; They Don't Teach This Shit In School released in 2000. His next release, the Negative Vibes EP (2002), featured Sinéad O'Connor on the title track and led to an invitation to support Sinéad on her 2002/03 Irish, UK and European tour. Damien's second album Seize the Day, was released in 2003 and debuted at Number 5 in the Irish charts. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. Released the following year in the UK, the album was awarded "CD of the Week" in the Sunday Times and received enthusiastic reviews in national and music press.
Nominated in four categories in the 2004 Irish Meteor Awards, Damien walked away with two, the only 2004 double winner.
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 TV station RTE, and shown at film festivals in Ireland and New York.
During 2004 Damien 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.
Damien has earned the passionate support of his peers, one of whom is 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 Attack label, and Seize the Day had its US release in October 2004.
His third album, Shots, simultaneously released in Ireland and the UK in March 2005, entered the Irish album charts at NUMBER 1 and achieved platinum status in December 2005. The album was also released in the US in June 2006 and Damien undertook a coast to coast tour.
In February 2006, Damien increased his Meteor Awards by winning in “The Best Irish Male” category. Recorded in December 2005 at Dublin's Olympia Theatre, and released in June 2006 in both Ireland and the UK, Damien's first live album, Live at The Olympia, entered the Irish album chart at Number 10.
For the second year in a row Damien won “Best Irish Male” at the 2007 Meteor Awards. His fourth studio album, To Hell or Barbados, released world-wide in June 2007 entered the Irish album chart at Number 2. Once again, Damien was nominated in two categories of the Irish Meteor Awards 2008 and walked away as the winner of “Best Folk/Traditional”.
The Rocky Road was released in June 2008 and entered the Irish charts at Number 2. Party On: Live at Vicar St was released on DVD in 2008 and went straight to NUMBER ONE in the Irish Music DVD Charts.
What the critic have to say….
"It (To Hell or Barbados) confirms Dempsey's position as one of Ireland's great singer-songwriters" - The Guardian (London)
"...one of the greatest songwriters of his generation" - Irish Abroad (USA)
"To Hell or Barbados is folk and roots rock with substance, with the sound of Ireland mixed in for good measure. A most intriguing cocktail" - Billboard
"It's clear from the first moment he sings a note that Damien Dempsey is one astonishingly gifted individual" -The Daily Express, London - 5* review (To Hell or Barbados)
"...whip-smart lyrical tours de force...his songwriter's eye for detail astound" - Hot Press (Shots)
"A phenomenal voice..." - Sunday Times (Seize the Day)
"...Dempsey's arrow-true voice has a liquid quality...this is bold, compelling stuff" - Mojo (Shots)
"...not for the faint hearted...extraordinary" - Q (Shots )
"This is a hearty, fraternal embrace of an album" - Telegraph (Shots)
"If you need to be convinced, look no further; Damien Dempsey is the real thing" - Hot Press (Live at the Olympia)
"...the future of Irish songwriting is in good hands" -Irish American News (Shots)
"...America is about to hear a voice she will not want to forget" - Irish Voice (Shots)
Workmans Club, Dublin
