eightball.ie proudly presents Damien Dempsey

Monday, October 01
Jean Monnet Lecture Theatre
University of Limerick
Tickets from University of Limerick Students’ Union | 061-202324

www.damiendempsey.com

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 toddler. Good, bad or indifferent - everyone had to sing. Today, his unique sound reflects the influence of traditional Irish Sean-Nós as well as his musical heroes, Bob Marley and Elvis Presley. In 1998 after meeting Chris Byrne of Black ’47 who had recently opened “Rocky Sullivan’s”, an Irish bar in New York, Damien left Dublin at Chris’ invitation to perform at Rocky’s as well as pitch in behind the bar. He returned to Dublin after a hectic three months of working until 4 AM. He claims he came back to Dublin because the bars there closed earlier. His experience in NY is captured on the song, “NYC Paddy” that appeared on his first album.

“They Don’t Teach This Shit In School”, his debut album, was released in 2000 and established Damien as a fearless and confrontational songwriter. His coherent and compassionate lyrics illustrate Damien’s understanding of the human dilemmas that we all face. Damien’s second album, “Seize the Day”, was released May 2003 in Ireland on Clear Records via Sony and entered the charts first week of release at No. 5. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. 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. His fourth studio album, “To Hell or Barbados”,released world-wide in June 2007 entered the Irish album chart at Number 2.

www.myspace.com/damiendempsey

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