Irish Guy on Australian Idol

dSTAR

Country boy Damien Leith was the last guy to go through in the knock out round of Australian Idol. In his solo song he sang "Hallelujah" which judge Mark Holden described as "sublime...even though he was an ugly bugger"!

Interesting to see how far he goes...

connundrum

I believe in you Damien.. you sublime backstard you!

/runs off to find 'throwing knickers'

_blank_

dSTAR wrote:

judge Mark Holden

Legend.

Is the other fella with the beard still a judge too?

Pompey Magnus

dSTAR wrote:

Country boy Damien Leith was the last guy to go through in the knock out round of Australian Idol. In his solo song he sang "Hallelujah" which judge Mark Holden described as "sublime...even though he was an ugly bugger"!

Interesting to see how far he goes...

I had a look at his performance and he looks like an average Irish guy, I wouldn't say he is ugly by our standards or are the Irish just a particularly unattractive race of people ?

Raiser

Is he based in Aus. full time or passing through?

Ruu_Old

Moved from AH.

dSTAR

connundrum wrote:

I believe in you Damien.. you sublime backstard you!

Australian Idol needs YOU.

seansouth wrote:

Is the other fella with the beard still a judge too?

Kyle...yup! Now HE is one ugly bugger! See below...

Teener

He sang last night in the first semi-final and he was by far the best out of the six guys that sang. And he may not be the best looking but he's got style which is more than be said for some of the people on the show.

But where the hell is he from back home?!?

dSTAR

Not sure where he is from exactly. He has been in Australia about 4 or 5 years now. He is married and has a young lad who I think was was born over here.

He gave me a lump in my throat watching him last night and I reckon the judges have just realised what a burdgeoning talent he really is. Judge Mark Holden with his typical nuff nuff comments said he could easily take it out but it would be like Val Doonican winning Australian Idol.

This is coming from someone whose musical career was a complete joke and if it weren't for Australian Idol he would be left on the scrap heap of unknown singers.

Give your support to our Irish Idol!

SMS Damien to 19 10 10.

Brian017

We can't vote!

dSTAR

Oh well. Theres lots of Irish people in Australia and others of Irish descent living here who watch Australian Idol and may be inclined to get behind him. I did a quick search online for 'Damien in Australian Idol' and this thread popped up!

I get sick of all the stereotypes and negativity and really love to see Irish people doing well overseas. Irish music is popular here and it would be good to get a more general appeal with the younger set who watch Australian Idol being exposed to music that goes beyond bubble gum pop or plastic punk like some of last years contestants!

dSTAR

Damien Leith was the first peson last night to go through to the top 12 of Australian Idol. But it wasn't without another stupid comment from braindamaged judge Mark Holden who said if he won his album cover would feature Damien in a woolen cardigan with sheep in the background.

It makes me sick firstly the stereotyping of Irish people as unsophisticated country bumpkins and secondly that fact that not everyone who watches the show (myself being included) is interested in manufactured pop music or looks.

Just to remind people that the runner up of Australian Idol 2004, Shannon Noll is a country boy who is not exactly a pretty boy. His style of music is 'country' not deemed to be cool enough for a pop show yet his album was a bestseller in Australia and Ireland. Also the winner of the International Idol Kurt Nilsen (below) who incidentally sung a song by U2 is not the world's most handsome chap proving the point again that the general public don't go in for plastic pop or looks.

Kurt Nilsen Idol Winner

Ireland for its size has produced more music than any other country in the world. Irish music (traditional and non traditional) has worldwide appeal. You don't get many Australian artists appearing on bus shelters in or TV ads in Singapore (Enya) or albums for 'Celtic Woman' featuring the best Irish female singers regularly appearing on Australian TV just to name two recent examples.

Finally what is the difference between a tub of yoghourt and Australia?

If you leave a tub of yoghourt long enough it will develop its own culture!

gustavo

So you dont like it when they slag us but then you go and slag them?

dSTAR

I happen to be an Australian citizen, married to a true blue Aussie with two Australian born children and am of the belief that Australia is one of the best countries in the world even though it may not have the rich heritage and culture that Ireland has. I am quite democratic in that I give everyone a fair go and as such take the piss out of Irish people and Aussies when required.

I think shows like Australian Idol show up the identity crisis in the Australian psyche and possibly mine too! Whilst on the one hand Australians are still loyal to the Queen on the other hand they are closer to Americans in terms of culture (theres that word again!) and lifestyle than the British. So you see Aussie kids trying to be like their American counterparts imitating their accents and style and it just all comes off as being really fake.

It is the grossest form of throwaway culture that is being adopted by the younger generation with the best part of other countries culture being ripped off (for example Australian folk music which has its roots in Irish folk music or even AFL which is a derivative of GAA) and the rest being discarded or considered unsophisticated. I see this all the time. The best parts of Irish/English/American culture being appropriated and the rest being classed as backwards or unsophisticated.

I know this is going off the track a bit but I think that shows such as Australian Idol highlights the deficit in Australian culture and false sense of superiority whilst at the same time deriding other people such as Damien Leith who has his roots in Irish culture.

dSTAR

Damien Leith's Australian Idol performance last night was an absolute ripper and puts him in position as one of the favourites not just amongst the large Irish-Australian contingency but with the general public as a whole.

It was leather pants and muscle t-shirts all the way for 'Rock' night. Damien pulled out a classic tune by RadioHead called 'Creep' and blew the audience away. His rendition of the song was as good if not even better than the original.

Even with dumbed down comments aside from judge Kyle about his appearance or the give with one hand and take with the other compliments of Mark Holden - there is no denying the unbelieveable talent a guy who has never even had singing lessons.

For any MySpacers his MySpace addy is:

http://www.myspace.com/dleith

boscobuffalo

I saw Damien's hallelujah and creep performances and the guy has real talent, not put-on image/coolness or fake talent, e.g Ronan Keating, or any of that manufactured stuff - that voice is the real deal, he's got a huge range and it seems pretty effortless as he moves through it

He's got to be a genuine contender - I reckon he should make the last few anyway, I wonder will his non-true-blue status go against him if he gets to that stage?... hopefully not

I agree that its a pity that the stereotypes have to be brought out when the only thing they should be judging is his performance

BaZmO*

Is he as good as this guy?

Mossy Monk

BaZmO* wrote:

Is he as good as this guy?

omg
that guy is ****ing amazing

dSTAR

Damien Leith put in another stellar performance last night and received two touchdowns (kudos) from Mark Holden.

He sang Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (again!) and Crying by Roy Orbison.

I am surprised that there is not a lot more talk in Ireland about him. I would put him on par with Damien Rice if not better. He is going to be HUGE here and possibly break into an International market.

Seriously he is THAT good!

iFight

BaZmO* wrote:

Is he as good as this guy?

That guy should have won. That was amazing

Link to Damien singing hallelujah?

Nea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDS9jmcricY

He is from Milltown, Co.Kildare.

Cmon the Lillies!!!!!

I remember seeing him play with Leaf in pubs in Newbridge.
Fair play to him, would love to see him win

memi

Hi to everyone. New in here, was looking for anything in the Irish media regarding Damien Leith – Australian Idol contestant. The guy is huge over here in the last 3 finalists with a massive chance to win. Just look up Australian Idol forums and view all the support he is getting over here, disregard the negative few. I have no Irish heritage but love Damien to bits and have voted a bag full of dollars to keep him in the final and he is worth every cent. He is sensational, we the fans believe he is a superstar and the Irish media should be very proud and getting behind Damien. With his 2 songs by audience choice where he scored a double touchdown, Damien not only bought down the house, he smashed it to pieces. What a wonderful talented musician he is and an absolutely gorgeous man Australia is a very lucky country to be exposed to Damien Leith. I am obsessed the getting Damien to win Australian Idol 2006 and I am but one of many. So make some noise over there tell everyone about your beautiful Irish export Mr. Damien Leith. Cheers and thanks for having me.
GO DAMIEN! With you all the way, big time.

Basq

Thought the Hallelujah cover was atrocious myself!

dSTAR

Thanks for the link. I never even thought of looking on You Tube to see if was there.

Here is another of Damien Leith singing 'Wicked Games'.

I recommend listening to this song with headphones or on good speakers to really appreciate his vocal ability. Sheer talent...

Irregardless of whether he wins Australian Idol (which is looking more and more certain he will) I think that he is going to make waves internationally. In many ways I rather see him being second place because he wouldn't have to fill record label obligations by releasing cheesy love songs for the next two years.

Apparently the Australian Idol show producers were contacted by Roy Orbison's family to get a recording of Damien doing his version of Crying. A lot of commentators are saying that Damien Leith could even be one of the best singers to EVER emerge from ANY of the Idol series' around the world.

Basq

dSTAR wrote:

A lot of commentators are saying that Damien Leith could even be one of the best singers to EVER emerge from ANY of the Idol series' around the world.

Whoa whoa whoa... better than Will Young, Michelle McManus or the pre-pubescent twat who won last year?.... i'm sorry but i won't hear of it!

dSTAR

Squill wrote:

Whoa whoa whoa... better than Will Young, Michelle McManus or the pre-pubescent twat who won last year?.... i'm sorry but i won't hear of it!

dSTAR

dSTAR wrote:

Here is another of Damien Leith singing 'Wicked Games'.

Seems Grundy have shut this one down...

Here is another link of Damien Leith singing Wicked Games.

Not sure how long it will be around for...

wyndham

Mickey Joe's doppelganger.

memi

Last night Damien sang Nessun Dorma & Unchained Melody. His version of Nessun Dorma was truly something to behold “hair standing on ends, throw bouquet of flowers to DAMIEN moment”. Unchained Melody was a heart fluttering moment and as sweet as spring sunshine. Damien is so, so damn good, the Damien Fan Club will not here of anything else but the winner’s podium for him. Go DAMIEN! Love you to bits, superstar, our one and only Australian Idol 2006.

dSTAR

I think it is almost certain that he will be walking up the steps of the Sydney Opera House. No matter what he is still going to have record execs falling over themselves to sign him up. In many ways it may be better for poster boy Dean to win so Damien doesn't have to sing cheesy songs for the next 12 months!

dSTAR

Just a quick update to let anyone who has been following the progress of homegrown singer/songwriter Damien Leith that he IS through to the Grand Final in the Sydney Opera House in two weeks time.

Expect to hear a LOT more from this guy when he wins. Incidentally the Australian Idol runner up singer two years ago, Shannon Noll has had big success in Ireland and elsewhere so it just goes to show that its not all about manufactured pop songs.

memi

Yes DAMIEN is through to the grand final. We, his fans in Australia, never doubted he would. I am beside myself with happiness. DAMIEN was never a dark horse but a rising star with all its glorious brilliance, we always knew that now all of Australia knows. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO Go DAMIEN!

Hrududu

I can't stand the guy. Never seen him, never heard him, but all the gushing in this thread has made me hate him.

Down with this sort of thing.

Mr E

I was reading this morning that he is favourite to win now.
Fair play to him.

Basq

dSTAR wrote:

.. Incidentally the Australian Idol runner up singer two years ago, Shannon Noll has had big success in Ireland and elsewhere so it just goes to show that its not all about manufactured pop songs.

Sorry but who?!

Never heard of the guy.. obviously his Irish success washed over me!

Mossy Monk

yeah

who is Shannon Noll?

he had a number 2 hit in Ireland according to http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2004/oct04/20041024_shannonnoll.html

one number 2 'hit' does not mean he had a big success. i never heard of him until this thread

dSTAR

Hrududu wrote:

I can't stand the guy. Never seen him, never heard him, but all the gushing in this thread has made me hate him.

Down with this sort of thing.

Don't take this the wrong way but are you a kid?

Perhaps the Personal Issues Board might be a more appropriate place to discuss you inadequacies and inferiority complex.

Hrududu

Don't take this the wrong way but are you a kid?

No, not a kid. But the vast majority of this thread comes across as a couple of squeeing 13 year olds.

Nea

31 years old.
I think its fantastic that an Irishman is doing so well in a prolific competition and I am especially proud of the fact he is from Kildare.

Now I for one am a huge rock/metal fan and dont particularly agree with these type of shows or manufactured music but I think the guy has a good voice and has improved tenfold since I heard him singing in pubs years ago.

I wish him all the best anyway.

Hrududu

Ok I semi take it back. I thought I'd better check out some of his mp3s before slagging him off. Most of them probably don't warrant all the hype that i've read but i have to admit that his version of 'Crying' is absolutely lovely.

memi

Never been one for any reality tv shows, but this year’s Australian Idol has really sucked me in, mainly because of DAMIEN LEITH. He is good, he is damn good and he will win.

dSTAR

Meme - you don't need to justify the fact that it IS reality TV. He is a damn good singer nevertheless and I have no qualms about putting him in the same league as Damien Rice or Leonard Cohen. I am so proud of that fact that he IS Irish and has climbed to the top of the ladder in Australia through sheer talent and that played down Irish aplomb.

Fair go...

BaZmO*

dSTAR wrote:

and I have no qualms about putting him in the same league as Damien Rice or Leonard Cohen

Now you're just being silly. :rolleyes:

Basq

BaZmO* wrote:

Now you're just being silly. :rolleyes:

Agreed! :eek:

dSTAR

BaZmO et basquille - How easy it is to sit there and pretend to be musically literate!

Nail your colors to the mast and maybe I can take you seriously...

BaZmO*

dSTAR wrote:

BaZmO et basquille - How easy it is to sit there and pretend to be musically literate!

Nail your colors to the mast and maybe I can take you seriously...

What are you talking about?

Basq

dSTAR wrote:

BaZmO et basquille - How easy it is to sit there and pretend to be musically literate!

Nail your colors to the mast and maybe I can take you seriously...

Qué?

dSTAR

Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel when my heart cant conceive

BaZmO*

dSTAR wrote:

Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel when my heart cant conceive

hmmmm....

I think you should maybe stay out of the sun mate.

dSTAR

BaZmO* wrote:

hmmmm....

I think you should maybe stay out of the sun mate.

Sounds like you could do with some :rolleyes:

dSTAR

Most of the regulars here will have noticed that I have been bangin' on about Australian Idol Damien Leith since August.

I am a big supporter of Irish music (and Damien's brand in particular) and reckon it is important to celebrate the success of Irish people abroad.

Theres only a few hours to go so lets have some positive vibes...