Decca Records is pleased to announce the signing of Damian Lewis. Lewis’s debut album, titled “Mission Creep”, will be released June 16 on Decca, with the first single, the soulful “Down on the Bowery”, being released today.
“Mission Creep” is a thoughtful collection of rock and jazz songs that reveal a deep love for music and a deep need to communicate with one another. As Lewis himself explains: “Suddenly I had a lot to say. People will judge whether it’s good, but to me, it felt totally natural.”
The album’s origin story begins when Lewis, after leaving school, traded the rigorous day-to-day regimen that dominated his life for 10 years for something less structured altogether. He took to the road with his guitar and toured continental Europe. That experience has stayed with Damian ever since and is reflected in his debut album.
Representation, of course, took control of its course. But the idea of actually making a record came about during confinement. With time and space away from a busy acting schedule, the actor could dedicate himself to playing and composing songs, and the ideas started to flow. Damian was transported back to the times when he played guitar every day, but with the added maturity and experience that a busy life gave him.
“I wanted the album to feel like the journey to this point, from those early performances to now.” – Damian Lewis
Meeting and later teaming up with American jazz musician Giacomo Smith inspired Lewis to start performing his own songs in public. Smith introduced Damian to some musicians in the much revered Kansas Smitty’s House Band. They then formed a band led by Damian and started to give concerts.
A performance at the Wilderness Festival last year led to more concerts. Sold-out concerts at Omeara, Koko, Tabernacle, and Hoxton Hall in London resulted in rave reviews from audiences and critics who described Lewis as “a convincing performer seemingly comfortable in this position” (Neil McCormick) while the musician “impressed the crowd” (John Bungey ). A struggle ensued between publishers to sign the artist.
Since then, Damian has been confirmed to play this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival (May 1st) and Black Deer Festival (June 16th), and his biggest show to date, at Union Chapel, London (July 11th), with more dates to be announced soon.
Decca Label Group Co-Presidents Tom Lewis and Laura Monks say: “We are delighted that Damian has chosen Decca. His songwriting is poetic, moving, and deeply personal. The album, recorded on the road in Kentish Town, has a raw touch and refreshing honesty. Damian opens his heart and invites us in. It is a thing of great beauty.”
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