When Damien Leith performs at the Blue Mountains Theatre in Springwood on August 27, the venue might be new to him but the area will be comfortingly familiar.
The Blue Mountains was the first stop on the Irish-born singer’s itinerary when he arrived in the country 15 years ago.
“When I first arrived in Australia on a holiday with my wife, that’s where she took me.
“That was my first impression of Australia – and I loved it,” he said.
So much so in fact that when Channel 7 produced an Australian travel series, The Lucky Country, last year they chose the former Australian Idol winner to showcase the Blue Mountains.
Hosted by Andrew Daddo, Leith took viewers on a tour that included the Faulconbridge Ugg Boot Store and the refurbished Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath.
“So I’ve got a real soft spot for the Blue Mountains, it’s always been a favourite of mine,” he said.
It’s likely the Blue Mountains audience will return the feeling at Leith’s August 27 concert, the third stop on a major tour marking his 10 years since winning Australian Idol.
“They’re a very friendly, easygoing audience I have to say, they really are,” he said.
“Whenever my shows are on, during some of the big ballads there’s absolute silence in the room.
“You can hear a pin drop sometimes. They’re a really respectful, lovely audience.”
Fans can expect to hear songs from all eight of Leith’s studio albums since he won Australian Idol in 2006.
They can also expect plenty of stories between the songs.
“Anyone who comes to my show knows I love telling stories and talking about songs and having a bit of a laugh as well,” he said. “In 10 years, there’s been loads of things that have happened ... so I’ll share a couple of those stories.”
With the careers of many Australian Idol alumni struggling to live on after the show, Leith attributes his staying power in part to a strong work ethic.
“Music is a crazy business. Some of the best plans sometimes just don’t work and then some oddball stuff may bring you to exactly where you want to be… For me, I’ve worked non-stop and that’s probably been the main thing. If I look back on the last 10 years, I’ve been constantly working on the next project. Even during the harder times I was looking forward to the next thing,” he said.
These projects have been diverse - from intimate cabaret shows to major tours, to recording his own songs or covering the work of the iconic Roy Orbison.
“It’s good for yourself just to have a bit of variation, to keep things fresh and to keep you motivated,” he said. “But for the people who’ve supported me over the years, they have got to try out different things with me as well.”
Leith has been listening to fans about what they want to see him perform on the tour.
“From The Winner’s Journey album right through to Songs from Ireland, there’s lots of songs to choose from,” he said. “I’m going to cover as many as I can.
“I’ll do audience favourites like Hallelujah, Unchained Melody, Message To My Girl and Creep, but I’ll also perform some old gems and original recordings. Before each concert I’ll also be asking for audiences requests online via my Facebook page.”
Off stage, Leith’s three children with wife Eileen Stapleton – sons Jagger and Jarvis and daughter Kikki – help keep his feet on the ground. And while their musical taste isn’t always the same as their dad’s, Leith said the music connection is already apparent.
“I think some of it is rubbing off on them. They definitely show an interest in music and being on stage so we’ll see as the years go on. But with kids, you never know – they’re into everything!”
Damien Leith will perform at Blue Mountains Theatre on Saturday, August 27 at 8pm. Tickets: $55-$65.
Bookings: 4723 5050 or see www.bluemountainstheatre.com.
