In LA by-way-of San Diego, Josh Damigo is the kind of singer/songwriter who will not only charm you with his songs and voice, but also with his humor and honesty. In a town known for image and all the truth-bending that comes along with trying to fit into it, Josh is earnest, hardworking, and a fighter. From his lyrics and his stage banter to his youtube videos and blog, he lets you in… and because he is so honest, I listen. And I relate.
He won the Best Acoustic Music Artist at last year’s San Diego Music Awards and has opened for the likes of Sean Mullins, Tyler Hilton, Zac Brown Band, Green River Ordinance, and Carolina Liar. My favorite song of his is “LA Is Not Your Home,” a simultaneously brutal and humorous take on living in Los Angeles. I’ve lived in LA all my life – and I love this city – but I still relate to this song so much. I don’t think there is anyone in this city who hasn’t lived here and not felt disjointed somehow. This song puts that feeling into words.
Check out “LA Is Not My Home” and TVD’s interview with Josh Damigo after the jump. And if you’d like to see him live (and you do), you can catch him at On The Rox Friday, September 2nd at 8pm. Tickets are only $5.
You come from a lot of success down in the San Diego music scene. What prompted you to move to Los Angeles?
Ha… I guess I wanted to meet more people in the music industry, and find cats outside of my comfort zone to grow with and work with. I was also kinda chasing a girl… when I got to LA, she quit returning calls… and I guess that’s how I ended up here.
How has Los Angeles been treating you so far?
To be honest, not very nice! But I guess it’s the same stuff everyone goes through. You meet with producers/managers/writers/
But I’ve also found that there is a beautiful group of people trying to spring some community here. I’ve been impressed with how there are so many little pockets of music lovers/creators who are trying to make some sort of a family atmosphere here in LA. It’s definitely something I miss from leaving San Diego, and something I’m all about trying to be a part of. Overall, I think LA is my “Business Home”, but my heart is still in San Diego.
I have a theory that people have “a moment” where they fall in love with music. When did you fall in love?
Well, I was Baby Jesus in a Christmas musical when I was 11 months old… So I guess I’ve always kinda been on stage, performing. I sang a lot in church and took piano lessons, and I guess I was good at it, but I never really listened to music until around Jr. High. I’d sit in front of the radio and listen to oldies for hours and hours. When I got older, I tried to dance and start a boyband, but apparently everyone around me knew it was dorky, and forgot to tell me…. (I also can’t dance…) So when I was 16, I picked up a guitar, started learning some chords and started writing. There was something magical about getting my feelings out on paper and in a melody. I guess that’s where it all started. Being able to write freely without judgment. Now that I’m older, I have some critics who don’t like my stuff much, but in the end, I don’t really listen to them… I still do it cause it’s my way to escape the day-to-day stuff.
What is your favorite musical memory?
Probably earlier this year when I opened for Shawn Mullins. He’s probably my biggest musical influence, and when he and I talked backstage, and he actually knew who I was from someone giving him my album, that was pretty great! On top of that, he got up on stage and told the whole crowd that I was a “Great songwriter” and “had a big career ahead of me… and that he liked my song ‘LA is Not My Home.”
How do you approach songwriting? Do you have a particular songwriting process?
I’m very much like an English Major when it comes to songwriting. I come up with a central idea or theme, and write to it. Every line in the song goes back to that part, and every word must make sense/be the best possible line I can think of, or I’m not happy with the song. I write alot…. and I rewrite alot… I guess I just keep working on it till I think my “imaginary teacher” will give me a 100%. (Which is funny, cause I was a C+ student during most of my undergrad.
Shooting For the Sun by joshdamigo
Can you tell me a little bit of the story behind “Shooting for the Sun?”
“Shooting For The Sun” is basically my “American Idol,” “You-Can-Do-Anything,” “Ultimate Pop Song”. It was written in a laundromat in San Diego when I was watching the season finale of American Idol. (I voted for Adam Lambert… btw….) I figured, “I could write an American Idol song…” and did… and rewrote it… and rewrote it again… I believe in the end that song was rewritten 12 times. I usually end my shows by playing the song completely stripped. I’m a huge fan of silencing a “jersey-shore” filled room with some quiet. Every once in a while, it’s nice to get these actors to pay attention to us musicians. I guess this is the song that strikes a chord with a lot of musicians because it’s all about chasing our dreams.
You have a show coming up at On The Rox. What can people expect from the show?
I played there last month, and had a fantastic time. Great bands, intimate venue. Gorgeous, single women. Single men with accents and manners. Producers looking for new musical acts. Directors looking to cast their next huge blockbusters…etc… I’d say all of that will be there. I’ll play a few songs off of my last record, and some from the new record that we started recording last month. I’ll be stripped down with nothing but my guitar, vocals, and beatboxing/loop pedals. (Oh yeah… and I did a Britney Spears cover too….) All I really know is I’m gonna have fun… so anyone driving down should be ready to as well!
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