Damian has played the classical guitar since he was 13-years-old. Quickly though, suspecting that he might be the “Second Elvis,” he graduated to the steel string acoustic so that he could sing Elvis in the mirror without fear of interruption. Busking in London and continental Europe through his early twenties, the rent money started coming in from acting and the guitar was parked up as a hobby until the time of CoVid lockdown and quarantine. The busking experience has stayed with Damian ever since and is reflected in his debut album.
Meeting with various London-based musicians, including Giacomo Smith, Damian wrote songs and found himself in the recording studio cutting tracks that will be released on his debut album titled, “Mission Creep.” The album will be out June 16, 2023. His band of five with jazz roots has a bluesy sound and the album is described as a thoughtful collection of rootsy, rock and jazz-tinged songs that reveal a deep love of music and a deep need to communicate. Damian said,
“I wanted the album to give a sense of a journey to this point, from busking ’til now.”
Damian Lewis Music on Social Media
VEVO YouTube Channel
Damian Lewis Radio on Spotify
Instagram Account
Facebook Page
TikTok Videos
Twitter Feed
BAND MERCH and MUSIC STORES
Damian Lewis Music Store (UK) here
Damian Lewis Music Store (US) here
‘Down on the Bowery’ single from Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon here
‘Zaragoza’ single from Pandora, Tidal, Spotify, Apple, iTunes, YouTube, Amazon here
TOUR DATES
2022
Omeara Club – August 4, 2022 – London
Wilderness Festival – August 7, 2022 – Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
The Tabernacle – November 20, 2022 – London
2023
World Economic Forum – January 16-20, 2023 – Davos, Switzerland
Hoxton Hall – March 3, 2023 – Hackney
Cheltenham Jazz Festival – April 26-May 1, 2023 – Montpellier Gardens
Black Deer Festival – Friday, June 16, 2023 – Eridge Park, Kent. Tickets here.
Rough Trade East Live + Signing – June 19, 2023 – Old Truman Brewery, 150 Brick Lane, London. Tickets here.
Union Chapel – July 11, 2023 – Islington, London. Tickets from Union Chapel, Alt Tickets or Stereo Board
MANAGER:
Steve Abbott, Manager – Harmonic Artists
Victoria Bastable, Artists Management Team – Harmonic Artists – victoria@harmonicartists.com
PROMOTIONS:
DHP Family
Neil O’Brien Entertainment
CURRENT BAND MEMBERS:
Damian Lewis – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard
Dave Archer / Billy Adamson – acoustic and electric guitar
Joe Webb – piano/keyboard
Giacomo Smith – producer and woodwind instruments – alto sax, tenor sax and clarinet
Will Sach – bass
Will Cleasby – drums
Kitty Liv (Durham) – backing vox, guitar, harmonica and background vocals
Photo Credit: Damian Lewis. L to R: Joe Webb, Will Sach, Billy Adamson and Giacomo Smith
Excited to be playing some live gigs with the legend that is @lewis_damian and releasing a record next year. Omeara in London on Aug 4th first up!! #music #damianlewis pic.twitter.com/U71yJTLvtn
— Will (@WillCleasby) July 9, 2022
RECORD LABEL
Decca Records (UMO) – ©2023 Thin Red Duke Ltd, under exclusive license to Universal Music Operations Limited
Signing announcement here
Damian pictured with Tom Lewis of Decca Records
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY
Album Title: Mission Creep (release date June 16, 2023), pre-order here
Recorded and mixed at Durham Sound Studios, UK
Mastered at The Exchange Mastering Studios, UK
Publishing – ℗ 2023 Thin Red Duke, Ltd.
Photography – Rhys Frampton
Artwork – Charlie Drinkwater, Drinkwater Studios
Photography: Rhys Frampton. Artist: Charlie Drinkwater, Drinkwater Studios
TRACKLISTING:
SIDE A:
1. DOWN ON THE BOWERY
2. SOHO TANGO
3. HOLE IN MY ROOF
4. HARVEST MOON
5. MY LITTLE ONE
6. SHE COMES
SIDE B:
1. AFTER MIDNIGHT
2. ZARAGOZA
3. NEVER JUDGE A MAN BY HIS UMBRELLA
4. WANNA GROW OLD IN PARIS
5. MAKIN’ PLANS
6. WHY?
Bonus Track on CD and digital downloads (US/UK): SUCH A NIGHT
Photography: Rhys Frampton. Artist: Charlie Drinkwater, Drinkwater Studios
SINGLES
Photography: Rhys Frampton. Artist: Charlie Drinkwater, Drinkwater Studios
First Single: Down on the Bowery (released April 13, 2023)
Listening and download options here. Written by Damian Lewis and produced by Giacomo Smith.
Busking in New York – Down on the Bowery
After I left school, before acting took off for me, I motorbiked around Europe busking…Thought I’d try it again, singing some songs from my new album, so I went down to The Bowery in NYC to sing a new song called…well….Down on the Bowery. pic.twitter.com/pyqIlUzo6J
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) April 20, 2023
Second Single: Zaragoza (released April 28, 2023)
Listening and download options here. Written by Damian Lewis and produced by Giacomo Smith.
Busking in New York – Zaragoza
In the West Village and couldn't resist a bit of busking outside Music Inn… something landing this week pic.twitter.com/jEktbPuqGP
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) April 26, 2023
OTHER RELEASES
Special Double Release: Zaragoza and Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella (released April 22, 2023)
7-inch record format, 45 RPM, with an A and B side (flip-side) of music recordings ‘Zaragoza’ and ‘Never Judge A Man By His Umbrella.’ This special release was for Record Store Day 2023 only. Any remaining copies will be available for online purchase beginning at 8:00 p.m. BST on Monday April 24, 2023 from Townsend Music online record store or Rough Trade.
IN THE RECORDING STUDIO and ALBUM ARTWORK
Recording Studio and Album Artwork Gallery here
Official Music Videos
‘Down on the Bowery’ official video – shot at Brooklyn Bowl in New York
Behind the scenes photos from the video shoot here
‘Zaragoza’ official video – shot live at Hoxton Hall in London
‘Makin’ Plans’ official video – shot live at Hoxton Hall in London
REVIEWS and ARTICLES
“Real flair” — The Times ★★★★
“Full-blooded, passionate, richly musical” —Daily Telegraph ★★★★
Damian Lewis Unveils Live Dates and Details News of Debut Solo Album – Implurnt
Tufnell Park-er Damian Lewis Flexing his Musical Muscles – Camden New Journal
Damian Lewis, Omeara, Review: Passionate Debut From Actor Turned Pop Star – The Telegraph
Damian Lewis Review: Screen Star Celebrates a Mellow Musical Hinterland – The Times
Damian Lewis Rocked His First Gig at Omeara London – FanFunWithDamianLewis
EFG London Jazz Festival Review – The Times
Cheltenham Jazz Festival Review – Building Our Own Nashville
GIGS
Omeara London, Thursday, August 4, 2022
Omeara London Gallery here
Special guest at his Omeara gig was the wonderful vocalist and Tomorrow’s Warrior alumnus Cherise, who has worked with Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter.
Wilderness Festival, Sunday, August 7, 2022
Wilderness Festival Gallery here
London Jazz Festival: The Tabernacle London, Sunday, November 20, 2022
The Tabernacle London Gallery here
With special guest Hattie Whitehead
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16-20, 2023
The WEF Gallery here
Hoxton Hall, Friday, March 3, 2023
The Hoxton Hall Gallery here
With special guest Amelie Watson
Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Monday, May1, 2023
Cheltenham Jazz Festival Gallery here
Black Deer Festival, Friday, June 16, 2023
Tickets here
Black Deer Festival Gallery pending
Rough Trade East – Live (stripped back) + Signing, Monday, June 19, 2023
Tickets here
Rough Trade Gallery pending
Union Chapel, Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Tickets from Union Chapel or Alt Tickets or Stereo Board
Union Chapel Gallery pending
Photography: Rhys Frampton. Artist: Charlie Drinkwater, Drinkwater Studios
PERFORMANCE VIDEOS
Song: “Such A Night” – Damian performing the Dr. John classic with Kansas Smitty’s Supersize Band, recorded Febraury 23, 2021 from Kansas Smitty’s headquarters in East London. Giacomo Smith and Alec Harper on Alto, Camilla George on Tenor, Dylan Jones on Trumpet, Dave Archer on Guitar, Kit Downes on Keyboard, Joe Webb on Piano, Ferg Ireland on Bass and Jas Kayser and Will Cleasby on Drums.
Song: “Little One” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Makin’ Plans” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Why” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Zaragoza” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Soho Tango” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Hole in My Roof” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Down on the Bowery” – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Little Trip to Heaven” by Tom Waits – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “After Midnight” by JJ Cale/Eric Clapton – Omeara London Performance, August 4, 2022
Song: “Little One” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “She Comes” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “Soho Tango” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “Zaragoza” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “Little One” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “Makin’ Plans” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Song: “Little Trip to Heaven” – Tabernacle London Performance, November 20, 2022
Introductions – World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16-20, 2023
Looks like @AmmerCards has won Axe Capital as a new client. Can’t wait to issue a card to Bobby Axelrod! #wef23 #weforum #ammercards #ammerpay @AmmerWallet pic.twitter.com/mx32OiCePD
— Victor Ammer (@victor_ammer) January 19, 2023
Song: “Zaragoza” – World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16-20, 2023
.@Lewis_damian pic.twitter.com/i98rvfArft
— Greg Kahn #WEF23 (@GK_Ventures) January 19, 2023
Song: “Zaragoza” – Hoxton Hall, Hackney Performance, March 3, 2023
Song: “My Little One” – Hoxton Hall, Hackney Performance, March 3, 2023
48 hour lightning trip to London for a magical evening with @lewis_damian, his talented band and fan friends at the stunning @HoxtonHall! 🎸🎶🎺👩🎤🎷I’m a jetlagged wreck and 4 hours of sleep doesn’t help but this was my view last night so WORTH IT! Story coming soon! #DamianLewis pic.twitter.com/COurG4sWkg
— Fan Fun Damian Lewis (@FanFunDamian) March 4, 2023
Song: “Makin’ Plans” – Hoxton Hall, Hackney Performance, March 3, 2023
Song: “Why?” – Hoxton Hall, Hackney Performance, March 3, 2023
"Yes, G!" This is just a snippet of the magical evening
with Damian Lewis and his band at Hoxton Hall! This report is my way of saying thank you for everything 🙏💃♥️🎸https://t.co/XaEIDg60CI #DamianLewis #GiacomoSmith #WillCleasby #KittyLiv #JoeWebb #WillSach #HoxtonHall pic.twitter.com/pqSrrWxHoh— Fan Fun Damian Lewis (@FanFunDamian) March 18, 2023