Damien Leith is not only a fantastic songwriter, he’s a darn good writer too. Many people will know the 30 something crooner for winning Australian Idol in 2006. However, he’s also an accomplished novelist, his book One More Time somewhat of an underground classic. And he also stands set to release a new work in both areas: he has a new novel due out early 2010, but before then his new album, Remember June, has hit the stands.
And the two are more closely linked than you could imagine. ‘First and foremost, I’ve loved writing before I ever got into music,’ Leith confessed over a German sausage roll in a discrete yet hip Leederville café, in town for Telethon. ‘Ultimately, it stemmed from a novel that I’d written, my second one.
‘The novel was there before the album was there, but they do run parallel to each other, so you never know, it could be the same name. It definitely would fall nicely into place, and it does follow it; it follows stages of the book’s arc perfectly, almost like a soundtrack.’
Leith found the process of having a story already in place made writing his third studio album much easier. In fact, it allowed for this work to become much more of a concept album, similar in part to the great concept albums of Bowie or The Who. ‘I’ve used the story of the birth and death of a relationship (as the concept here).
‘It sounds gloomy, but it’s not, and it’s not romance, either; it’s a relationship of any type. Just the feeling of chasing after something and eventually having to let it go. Just to have that passion for something, but for reason you’ve got to let it go – it dies or you move on or you get bored of it – whatever it is, that’s in the story’
Leith also noted that the process of writing the new album is significantly different to that of writing the novel, the latter a heavier affair, demanding more time. ‘When I started writing the songs, that was almost like closing that chapter, so I’d write the song as a very condensed, very compact version of what I’m so involved in. I find it gives me a little bit of relief. It’s almost like throwing a flower into the sea to say goodbye; it kind of moves on from that chapter, so it works well for me.’
The result is a strongm, poignant album, one that marks Leith as an accomplished musician heading out in a brave new direction. Remember June is being heralded as his strongest work to date – and even Leith has to agree.
‘It’s an album I hope you’ll give a go,’ Leith confessed. ‘Vocally, it’s the best I’ve sung since Idol. The albums I did since I didn’t do so well, so I think anyone who liked how I sung then, this is the best vocals I’ve ever done. So, that alone – if you’re a fan of my voice, you should give it a listen.’
And undoubtedly, Leith has many fans… after all, talent alone doesn’t let you win Australian Idol… although it darn well helps!
Remember June is out from October 16 though Sony Music.
