‘When you sing with passion, people do really respond to it’
WITH one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music, Damien Dempsey is part of a rich bloodline of Irish singers from Luke Kelly to Ronnie Drew, Christy Moore to Andy Irvine.
Seventeen years into an astonishing career, Damien Dempsey released his new studio album ‘Soulsun’ in May 2017. It features duets with Dido and Imelda May and is without doubt Damien’s most exciting work to date. ‘Soulsun’ was recorded with long-term producer and collaborator John Reynolds in north London, the striking cover art was created by renowned Dublin graphic artist Maser, who Dempsey worked with on large-scale mural works and the title track is accompanied by a colourful and life-affirming video directed by legendary rock photographer Steve Gullick.
The Dubliner played in the inaugural Sligo Live festival in 2005, and this year lines up on stage with Stockton’s Wing at the Knocknarea Arena at IT Sligo on Bank Holiday Sunday, 29 th October. Stocktons Wing will be on stage first at 8.30pm for the first half of the show and Damien Dempsey and his band are on Stage at 10pm for the second half of the show.
“I love Sligo. I’ve swam in Rosses Point a few times, I love Queen Maeve’s cairn as well,” he told The Sligo Champion. “Anywhere I go where there’s nice scenery I always try and go for a swim.
“I’ve always had a great time in Sligo, always lots of tunes happening around the town.”
Damien and Stockton’s Wing have been familiar with each other for some time, and are two huge acts on the Irish music scene: “It’s going to be amazing sharing the stage with those guys.”
He’s been on the go for around two decades, and his music has evolved over the years: “My music has become more wordly, it’s more interna- tional. It’s probably less angsty and more about love and positivity.
“It’s probably because I’ve travelled the world, I always try and talk to the people there and learn about the culture.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s in the Irish countryside or if it’s in Australia, I like to get to know about the area and the culture,” he said.
His most unusual experience of performing abroad? “I was once in Waiheke Island off New Zealand and I received a Maori dance and all when I arrived. Of course I had to perform for them then!
“When you sing with passion all the time, people do really respond to that.”
Damien once toured with Morrissey, after the former lead singer of The Smiths was handed one of his albums by a Dublin cousin.
“Yeah that was amazing. He’s a really funny fellow. His parents are from Crumlin so he gets the Dublin jeering and he’s well able to give it back. He’s really one of a kind. It’s great to watch him perform. It’s like poetry.
“A cousin of his from Dublin gave him a copy of ‘Seize The Day’ and he said he fell in love with it,” added Damien.
Making a living from music is not easy, he admits.
“It’s tough going, without album sales it’s tough. You have to build a strong reputation for live performances, you really have to cut the mustard live and blow people away. That’s what I always try to do.”
But being on the road full time is not for the ‘It’s All Good’ singer. He’s just back after a spell in Singapore, Australia and the Middle East, nine months in fact.
“I go away in bursts. That way you get to see your family. I’ve bought a house at home so I like to stay within the community,” he added.
Sligo Live Festival is a notfor-profit festival and has the support of investment from its public and private partners. It is made possible by this community effort and the input from the host of volunteers you will meet as you go from event to event. Tickets are on sale from www.sligolive.ie and www.Ticketmaster.ie, all Ticketmaster outlets and Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo (071 916 1518).