Poetically recounting tragic tales of loves lost and dashed dreams, Damien Jurado is the epic folk artist from Washington State who embraces heartbreak and is unafraid of sorrow.
Speaking honestly about dishonesty, tears and rejection, Damien Jurado is a true gentleman. Piecing together intricately constructed songs about his life and hard lessons learned, the formally Sub Pop, now Secretly Canadian signed singer/songwriter has been producing impressive amounts of music for over twenty years. Releasing his tenth studio album to date this February, Damien’s new sound for 2012 is faster moving and more aggressively charged, based around howling electric guitar arrangements and loud, wistful vocals. Incredibly capable of creating music of varying art forms, from rock and roll to country, he is the unsung, underground acoustic artist of our generation. i-D online paid our respects with an i-N session.
What song gets the biggest reaction from your crowd? There are a few. I’m going to guess and say the song ’Sheets’.
Are you a romantic? I used to be. I would say, that I’m more of a realist now.
Your material can feel quite painful to listen to, although very beautiful. Do you enjoy the process of writing? I do enjoy the process of writing. I compare it to, getting to someone, for the first time.
Who do you sing to, when you perform? I sing to my son. I also sing to God. Singing every song as praise, for the talents and life that have been given to me.
Do you believe your music is hopeful? I think it is now.
I have cried listening to Saint Bartlett, how does it feel to know that your music can have such an affect on so many people you’ve never met? It’s very powerful. One of the things that I enjoy most about touring, is that it gives me a chance to meet the people, whose lives my songs have affected. I am very blessed in that way.
Are you in love? All of the time.
Which new artists are you excited about? Michael Kiwanuka, Sharon Van Etten, Robin Pecknold, Father John Misty, Little Scream, Tiny Vipers, Richard Swift, Mount Eerie.
What ambitions have you yet to fulfil? I would say, at this point, I have fulfilled most of my ambitions already. I am able to make music for a living, and provide for my family. Knowing that I am able to do that, is fulfilment enough.
