A Musical Journey

“That was rad!… It was like the real 1920’s’!!!!!” Red Dog Guitars feedback on Come In My Kitchen cover.

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Earth roots blues with an afro twist. Original music about life, family, nature and making the most of 'This Day'. Described as “having a voice carved from a tree” Damion has branched out from being the ‘drummer boy’ to explore music through original songwriting and delving into old school delta blues guitar.

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Growing up on mum’s healthy vinyl collection of blues and 60’s folk and rock gave me a passion for raw roots music. 20 years ago I was captured by the energy, expression and traditions of West African drumming and have been hooked ever since. Learning the rhythms of Guinea gave me a keen interest in world fusion music, particularly the influence of traditional African music in blues, funk and soul.

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Song writing was sparked by a trip to the Amazon jungle in Ecuador to work with a Quechua Indian family helping to set up an environmental education centre.​ During the trip I scored a handmade Ecuadorian cedar and pine classical guitar from a 90 year old luthier.

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After returning to Australia I was inspired to play this beautiful guitar which led to writing my first song ‘Sister’. A song about the importance of family connections and making the most of our time together.

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In October 2016 Swamp n Beats won the South Coast Showcase competition by popular vote and in September 2017 I won the Wollongong Songs on Stage original song writing competition.

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Swamp n Beats has played at a number of festivals including Illawarra Folk Festival, Wallaby Creek Festival and Culburra Beach Festival.

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Ranging from solo gigs to a full 5-piece band Swamp n Beats are versatile and can play a range of venues and events.

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My solo show is an eclectic mix of songs underpinned by a kick drum, hi hat, acoustic and cigar box guitars and the Djembe. The set is diverse ranging from my original tunes to covers of artists that I resonate with from artists like Josh White, Bob Dylan, Paul Kelly, Ben Caplan, Shane Howard and a score of old times delta blues and Gospel music.