I spoke to Damien Leith as he was heading home from a telethon for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, a place dear to his heart having been involved in some television programs featuring the hospital and its work.
Singer, songwriter, chemist, novelist and potential biographer. Damien is all these things, a modern day Renaissance man that can now add perfume to his resume. Which seems fitting since he is a chemist but in this case he hasn’t created a perfume but inspired one. Damien’s song ‘Beautiful’ has inspired cosmetic empire Estee Lauder to have the song accompany advertisements for its perfume also named ‘Beautiful’. Damien says Estee Lauder got in touch with his publisher, Universal saying they were searching for a song to promote their new perfume, Universal put them in the direction of Damien’s song and this has refreshed the six year old song and seen it reappear on his new album. The new album features covers of tracks by The Travelling Willburys and their individual components as well as some new songs by Damien himself.
The choice to cover The Travelling Willburys of which Roy Orbison was a group member is prompted by Damien’s successful Roy Orbison album and tour last year.
Damien has also been busy writing another book which is ‘funny, light-hearted and unfamiliar’. At the moment it defies genre although Damien says it is somewhere between ‘The Commitments’ (without the music) and ‘Trainspotting’.
Damien also had time to help support fellow reality music contestant and ‘The Voice’ contestant Diana Rovas who has often formed part of his touring team.
If that doesn’t seem enough eclectic activities to keep one busy, Damien has been approached to write a biography and although that hasn’t come to fruition as yet he admits he loves history and learning new things and is always on google looking things up. This thirst for knowledge and researching is possibly a legacy of his scientific background as a chemist.
Always eager to try something new and experiment Damien has forged an almost alchemic fusion of the arts and sciences and looks like extending his accomplishments in the arts further.
You can see Damien when he tours Tasmania, in Hobart on Friday 14 September at the Wrest Point Casino and on Saturday 15 September at Launceston’s Country Club.
Paula Xiberras
