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Damien Boggs
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Damien Boggs is a singer-songwriter from southeastern Louisiana and now resides in Columbia, Tennessee. The son a of musical mother, he was surrounded by music from a very early age. While attending LSU in Baton Rouge, Damien began to teach himself guitar and started writing songs as a way to deal with the death of a close friend. The rich tradition of blues, gospel, jazz, and Americana left a huge imprint on the songs he was writing and still can be found in his current efforts.
1
Who are your music influences? Past and present
This is a huge question. I’ll try to keep this list short, if possible. The first influence and my biggest influence is my mother. Everything I understand about melody and all of the emotional entanglement that comes along with music I learned sitting on her piano bench. As far as artists that I listen to and come away inspired, well, there are more than a few.
Past: Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, Buddy Guy, Miles Davis, Junior Kimbrough, Led Zeppelin, Stan Getz, REM, Cream, Van Morrison, Otis Redding, BB King, Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Odetta, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez …
Present: Bob Dylan, Glen Hansard, Patty Griffin, Nathaniel Rateliff, Brandi Carlile, Radiohead, Daphne Culver, Jason Isbell, Jenn Palmer, Ryan Adams, Jetta in the Ghost Tree.
I like a wide variety of music. Everything that has melodic or substantive value can be influential for me. I feel like most musicians are that way. We have so much music available in so many formats. It’s almost overwhelming.
2
What is your creative process in writing a song?
My creative process is pretty laughable. Anything can set me off chasing a rabbit and trying to create something. Writing a song for me is like building a fire. I never know where or when the spark is gonna fly and I have no idea if it’s gonna catch and sustain. Sometimes, I’ll be watching a film, reading a book, or eavesdropping on a conversation at a restaurant and the next moment I really NEED a guitar. It’s like a compulsion sometimes, I get a little worked up and worry that if I don’t hurry up and get a melody tailored to this thought or phrase it’ll be gone. It’s like trying to catch fog in a butterfly net some of the time. When the writing is really going well, and this is a rare and beautiful thing, you’re just present. You don’t really do anything, it just happens and you are just present. I know that sounds crazy, but I’ve opened my eyes after 5 or 6 minutes of strumming and humming and just been able to sing a completed song. That is one the greatest feelings I’ve ever had.
3
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy when you have time off?
I’m a bit of a nerd. In my time off, I just want to hang with my wife and daughter. When our off time doesn’t align, (which is pretty common) I spend my time reading, watching old film noir, and painting. There are very few things better than reading an old book with dried paint under you fingernails. I always smile every time I turn the page.
4
Where can we listen and purchase your music?
New music will always be posted to my Facebook page and damienboggs.com. I have 2 albums “The Apartment 13 Sessions”
“From the Living Room” available on iTunes and you can check me out on Spotify.
5
Favorite venue to play live?
Favorite venue is a tough one. I have enjoyed 90% of the places I have played at, but 2 really stand out. As a traditional venue, I would have to say The Legendary Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor. It’s the venue that I feel like forced me to get better and introduced me to some of my favorite musicians. I put my band together on the front porch. As a place to play, it’s the perfect spot for me. Kimbro’s is just dark enough to let me get a little rock and roll, but still Americana enough for me to play sad ballads and folk tunes. The crowd is always responsive, the food is good, the beer selection is good, but the people make the venue. I love the people at Kimbro’s. For a non-traditional venue, Variety Records in Columbia, TN. Coolest vibe around and excellent sound.
More Damien Boggs Info:
Upon moving to Nashville, Damien quickly found himself fronting a band and recording a project entitled “The Apartment 13 Sessions”. Though the band dissolved quickly after its formation, some of the tracks have lived on in different incarnations. Finding himself back in more familiar waters as a solo artist, Damien began playing more writer’s nights and small venues. In 2011, he released “From the Living Room”, a 13 track album cut in his living room in one afternoon. It’s a “no frills” record with no overdubs, second takes, or post production editing. Currently, Damien is performing as a solo artist and with his band, Damien Boggs and The Proper Villains. The Proper Villains feature Mary Lynne O’Neal on background vocals, Keenan-Keaton Payne on bass, Jonathan Abel on drums, Wilson Conroy on guitar, and Damien Boggs on lead vocals and guitar. Damien can be found performing throughout the Middle Tennessee area both as a solo artist and with The Proper Villains. A debut release is expected before the end of 2105.
More 5 Questions With Watch Damian at Swanky Plank 2015
