Project Description
Amnplify Snapshot Interview:
DAMON LANGLEY
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Damon Langley is an Adelaide born, Melbourne based Alternative Singer Songwriter whose songs have been described as ” Deep and heart wrenching, with a sense of nostalgia and familiarity whilst also being fresh and unique at the same time.”
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Hey Damon, you have an EP due for release September 13. How are you feeling in the lead up?
Hey, I’m feeling good, I think? I don’t think the whole idea of these songs being out in the world has really hit me yet. When it does I’ll probably be a bit stressed. I’ve also learnt a lot about how to do things that have both nothing and everything to do with music, like writing press releases and booking venues, designing/printing/making cd cases and things like that… It’s been a crash course in how to write an email ahaha.
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How long have you been working on the album?
Man, it’s been a while. All in all it’s been around 4 years. I think the majority was recorded in 2015/16; I’ve just been sitting on them for a while… The eternal struggle of things never being good enough. Something I only realized a few days ago was that the set list coincides with the order that the songs were written in. The first song, City of Churches I wrote at the end of High School, 4 years ago. The last song, I’ll Leave You Flowers, was written at the start of this year.
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It is titled ‘Love Letter’ what is the story behind the title and what does the EP reflect about you?
The title stems from what I consider to be the strongest track on the EP by the same name. The song itself, as well as the EP follows a consistent theme of letting go. Letting go of self-awareness, denial, longing, sadness, love and lust to loosely break it down.
It almost seems fitting that it took me 3 years after most of the songs were recorded to finally go “Okay. This is as finished as it can be.” I think ultimately it’s unhealthy to hold stuff in. In this case, I have so many other songs in me, it was driving me insane that I couldn’t really pursue, or work on them while I still had these ones kicking around in purgatory.
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What have been some of the major influences to your indie, roots, rock sound?
The main thing that really influenced the rock sound is just the simple fact that, the guitar was something that was just always around when I was growing up. It was the easiest outlet I had. My parents listened to a lot of rock music as well, which probably fuelled the fire. My dad opened me up to the world of The Beatles, Elvis, Hendrix and The Who, whilst, one of my most prized possessions is a mix tape of David Bowie songs that my mum made in the mid 80s. I think the indie side of things came when a friend introduced me to bands like Bright Eyes, The Antlers and Neutral Milk Hotel.
At it’s core it’s just all been guitar music. I just can’t see myself making music with anything else…. Apart from maybe a piano.
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What artists have inspired you throughout life?
It honestly fluctuates and changes so much. I could sit here all day and name bands and people who have influenced me. It really comes and goes in phases. One moment I could be really into Prince, then next minute I’m listening to Pet Sounds, then could be The Smiths or The Replacements or something. At the moment I’m really into David Bowie (although that never really goes away), Kanye West, Elliott Smith, Ryan Adams and a lot of random Synth-Pop like Nick Kershaw and China Crisis.
When thinking about albums that have always stuck with me as the ones that started me on my way to become a musician, they would be Nick Drake – Pink Moon, The Swell Season – Self Titled, Matt Corby – Live on The Resolution Tour, Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea and Bon Iver – For Emma Forever Ago. Oh, and Jeff Buckley- Grace.
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How can readers pre-order your EP?
The easiest way would be to follow my artist page on Spotify, Soundcloud or Facebook (see below). I have a few physical copies that are just going to be sold at gigs for now. (Or just slide into my dms and we can work it out) .
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Will you be taking the EP on the road to tour around Australia anytime soon?
As of now, no plans have really been made to tour the EP on a grandiose scale. I’m trying to book a show or two in Adelaide for a kind of “homecoming” so maybe some regional shows in between or something. I’d really love to put together a band and do a tour at some stage though. (Solo, I could see the drive being real lonely).
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‘Evangeline’ (see video below) was released as a teaser for the EP, it’s super catchy, what was creative process behind the song and film clip?
Ah thank you! With that song I don’t even think there was a thought out creative process. It was just one of those beautiful times where it all just came together. The writing of it took, maybe half a day? It was during a period that I was listening to A LOT of Johnny Cash, especially the American Recordings done with Rick Rubin. I think that’s where the country vein of the song comes from. Recording it in the studio took maybe 2 or 3 hours. On the original demo there was a Rhodes but that was just replaced with a wall of guitars, which I can’t complain about.
The film clip was semi-inspired by Peter Gabriel’s music video for Sledgehammer done on a lot of a smaller scale. The video camera we had access to at the time wasn’t the best in quality so when it was being edited, some inspiration was taken from Kevin Smith’s Clerks and how that was filmed in Black and White, mainly because it arguably looked better within the budget of the film. The stop-motion just seemed like something cool to do, and really simple to shoot. We just cleared a corner of our living room and away we went.
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Why music as your career?
I picked up music at a pretty young age, and it quickly became my main focus… I kind of forgot to do or try anything else really; I suck at anything that isn’t in any sense musical. It’s just ingrained into who I am. Last year I tried doing something different and just ended up hating myself for it. I don’t care if I’m known or not, I just need to do it. I’ll keep on doing it regardless. It’s all I’ve got, honestly.
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What has been the most difficult part of creating the EP, and how did you conquer that?
Definitely self doubt. The amount of times that I came come close to just scrapping everything and starting over could probably be counted on more than 2 hands. To get through it, what kept me going was a belief in the songs and the ability to convince myself that, while I’ve heard these songs a million times, everyone else hasn’t. Mostly, I just had to get over myself and remember that because this is my first release, I’m setting my own standard that I can just keep pushing higher.
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If you have to sum up the EP in 3 words?
Sad White Boy
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Who are your main supporters in life?
I’d say the usual suspects. My parents, friends, family, girlfriend, also my Uncle David who’s a pretty sick guy. I’ve also had some great teachers and mentors over my time, which I’m thankful for.
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Other than Melbourne, where has been your favorite place to perform?
I’ve only really ever gigged in Melbourne and Adelaide so, really, probably Adelaide by default…. Adelaide will always be home. (I say as I sit in a pair of Rossi Boots, sipping on a Farmers Union Iced Coffee and listening to Cold Chisel).
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During the writing process do you find that you discover things about yourself you hadn’t before?
I think the main thing I’ve noticed about my writing process and just in in general is just that it’s a lot easier for me to write about or communicate how I’m feeling. It’s easier to express how I’m feeling, if I’m upset or pissed off or anything really, while I’m hiding behind a guitar.
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Have you got any shows coming up, if so, where?
I’m playing at the Charles Weston on the 25th of August in Brunswick, on the 13th for the EP’s release there’ll be a show at Red Betty’s Bar on Sydney Road and then a bit later on the 14th of October I’ll be playing at the Wesley Anne. (They’re all free).
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What is one song people might be surprised you LOVE?
Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell. It would easily make its way into my top 5 songs ever. It’s such a beautiful song, the picture it paints, everything about it. It’s like an entire movie condensed into 3 minutes. I can still remember the first time I heard it. I just thought to myself “Man, this song changes everything.
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How will you celebrate the release of ‘Love Letter’ EP September 13?
I’m launching the EP at Red Betty’s Bar in Brunswick with some friends, Brook McKeon (The Burbs), Therapy Dog and my girlfriend, Madi Leeds, supporting. I’ll probably have a few celebratory drinks whilst I’m there so it should be a slice. Beyond that, I’m not too sure, we’ll see what happens.
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Follow DAMON LANGLEY
Website Facebook Instagram Soundcloud Spotify
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