He’s an award-winning singer, songwriter and accomplished author and now, Damien Leith can add app designer to his ever-expanding list of impressive achievements. Released late February this year, Damien Leith Storytime! is designed for children aged four-and-up and features a wide range of stories all told in his voice, with appearances by his three children.
What: ELVIS – The Gospel Collection
Who: Damien Leith
When: 16th August, 2017
Where: Playhouse, The Arts Centre, Melbourne
For more information, please visit www.damienleith.com.au
There seems to be a running joke between Irish-born, singer-songwriter, Damien Leith and I, because whenever we chat, it’s due to one of his shows being brought back by popular demand. This time around he revisits his cabaret, The Parting Glass – An Irish Journey.
“It’s my favourite show of anything I do! I treat it like a trip to Ireland – you come to the show, forget about the world for two hours, and get involved in what’s going on in this Irish setting. It’s not like a musical. [There’s] clear separation between the acting and the band parts.”
Singer-songwriter, Damien Leith is about to hit the road with his huge 25-date Roy – A Tribute to Roy Orbison – The Hall of Fame Tour. With two albums in the works; I caught up with Damien to talk about Roy, Elvis and how he’s making an impact in the country music world.
Your six ROY – a Tribute to Roy Orbison shows sold-out in 2016. What’s the reason for bringing it back in 2017?
Last year [was] an isolated run. We did six shows to see, well, first of all, we were celebrating the 80th birthday but also to get it out there, see how people respond to it and see what the vibe is. Those six shows got a fantastic response so we decided straight after that we should head out to more regional areas and take it further even than we did the first time around. Also just because I love Roy Orbison’s music – always have done – and it’s great to perform.
I recorded Damien Leith singing Crying at The Palms in Melbourne on November 25th, 2016.
I wasn’t going to share it – but I personally think it’s too lovely not to.
What: Damien Leith – 10th Anniversary Tour
When: 25th November, 2016
Where: The Palms, Crown Casino, Melbourne
For more information on Damien, please visit: www.damienleith.com.au
In 2006, Damien Leith won over our hearts, becoming the fourth winner of Australia Idol. Now, ten years on, he’s hitting the road sharing untold stories, singing rare songs and meeting the fans on his intimate and acoustic, The Winner’s Journey – 10th Anniversary Tour.
Last time we spoke, you were about to hit the road for the Roy – a tribute to Roy Orbison tour. How did it go?
It was brilliant! If anything, we probably did too short of a run, because we only did the 6 shows. It’s something that I’m going to have to revisit again at a later date because it was very popular. Because, with the show itself, we don’t impersonate or do anything to emulate him at all – I think people really liked that because you’re hearing the familiar songs but you’re hearing them done in a newer way.
Damien Leith has had a busy decade since taking out the title of Australian Idol. He’s recorded eight studio albums, written two books, and penned a one-man cabaret. This April marks what would have been Roy Orbison‘s 80th birthday, to celebrate Damien reprises his successful Roy – A Tribute to Roy Orbison tour!
Hi Damien. You’re bringing back your show Roy – A Tribute To Roy Orbison this April. You did this show back in 2011, what was the idea behind bringing the show back?
It would have been Roy Orbison’s 80th birthday in April, so it’s really to celebrate his 80th birthday (and) to return to a collection of songs that I just love performing. We don’t do this run of shows very often at all and even this one, it’s only six shows in total, so it’s a very limited run – it’s only in the month of his birthday. Six shows and then unfortunately, we put it away for a while. But I love these songs, I love performing them, it’s just great to get an opportunity to hit the road with them again.
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 