I practice my songs on the guitar for at least 2 to 3 hours a day, 7 days a week," says Damien, who mixes alternative rock with R&B.
When he’s not playing his own music, he studies the work of musical greats from the 70s such as Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway and The Impressions.
Damien began teaching himself to play the guitar about 8 years ago.
“I was forced to learn,” he says. “I wanted to express myself through music. A lot of other musicians and producers that I came in contact with, they weren’t seeing my vision. I decided not to depend on anyone to play my music.”
When Damien was just starting out with his music, he played in the New York City subway system.
“I was just eager to let people hear that I could play,” he recalls. “It’s part of paying dues. You want to be able to say you did it. It’s part of the struggling musician mystique.”
Damien moved to Queens from Trinidad when he was 13. And of course, there are times when he misses his home.
“I miss the nature of the countryside where I grew up,” says Damien. “I lived close to the water, to the lagoon. My younger days were very country. I miss the forest and the salt water.”
Damien describes himself as easy-going and laid back. “I let people be themselves. If they say something I don’t agree with, I won’t address it.”
But there are a few traits that will rub him the wrong way.
“Bad table manners would turn me off. So do judgmental women or anyone bourgeoisie.”
When Damien’s not strumming his guitar, you can find him with head buried in a book.
“I like to read history books or anything about different cultures, especially Europe,” he says. “I’m not able to travel as much as I’d like to so this is my way of making up for those experiences.”
Damien’s single “Blues Rendition” will be released on iTunes and Rhapsody on DEC. 17.
“The lyrics are very vague, but the song was inspired about the time my house burned down,” says Damien. “It’s about knowing pain and struggle.”
Find out more about Damien on Facebook/damienrichards