Music is the muse Issue One - The Interview edition | Page 15

Songs from the wild woods.
An interview with Damh the Bard.
For once there is no Marc Almond connection which got me interested in Damh the Bard.
A few years back, I decided to peruse my interest in modern Paganism and especially
Druidry and during my research found a pagan radio station. Every half hour they played
this advert about a druid-centric podcast. The podcast was called Druidcast and its
presenter was Damh the Bard. I listened to the show and his songs on Bandcamp. I loved
both. They have had a significant impact on me and my writing.
I always call Raoul a ’magical magpie’, meaning that he takes inspiration from a lot of
different magical traditions, from Haitian Voodoo, to Celtic and Germanic witchcraft and
beyond. In a way, Damh the Bard, brought neo-paganism alive for me. Hearing his songs
about the old gods and the sabbats fuelled my imagination. Amongst other things, his songs
inspired Raoul’s trips into the land of the fey and some of his Celtic/Scottish roots. So,
thanks for that!
Did music save your soul?
Absolutely! But I'm not sure the Christian Right in the USA would agree. My first loves
were AC/DC and Black Sabbath…
What was the first song you remember?
Probably something my Dad played. I think it was Rock around the Clock by Bill Haley.
First single/Album/CD you bought?
Fighting – Thin Lizzy
First concert you saw?
Thin Lizzy at the Brighton Centre in 1979
First thing which made you want to be a musician?
The amazing bass lines in old 12 bar rock n roll songs…
What is your favourite way to listen to music and why?
I'm a newly found convert to streaming. But you can't beat the quality of a CD.
In your experience, has the music industry changed for the better or worse? Do
you think it is easier to create and distribute music today than it was in the
past?
For the better. The power is now back in the hands of the creator of music, not some
faceless music business executive. Nobody needs to choose you now. You can just get out
there and if you play music that people like, you can earn a living without a record deal.
It's all very punk.
What is the best thing that has happened to you in your career?
To be able to earn a living from my art. Even though it might be easier now to do that, it's
still rare, and I know how lucky I am.
What is the oddest thing a fan as ever said or done to you?
I had a stage diver at a gig I played in Prague. That image will always stay with me,
particularly as I'm essentially a folk musician…
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