Posted on: September 4, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Dublin singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey – “Damo” to fans – will come to U.S. shores supporting Sinéad O’Connor on her North American fall tour. Recently, Damien released his fourth disc To Hell or Barbados, out now on United For Opportunity.

On his latest, Damien embodies the passion of Ireland’s rich history and politics with his personal tales about life and love which he discussed with Marco Werman from PRI’s “The World” on June 19. Listen to the feature online: http://www.theworld.org

His fourth release, To Hell or Barbados shows development and incredible maturity from this exceptional artist, who returns with a new and very contemporary sounding album as the follow-up to Shots (UFO) – recognized by Paste Magazine as #36 on the “Top 100 albums of 2006.” A variety of musical styles from rock, folk, reggae, and even electronica combine to make Dempsey’s most accomplished album yet.

A true man of the people in Ireland, and always looking to sing Irish issues into the hearts of the rest of the world, Dempsey’s upcoming release and title track, “To Hell Or Barbados” refers to Oliver Cromwell’s campaign against Ireland in the mid 1600s, during which many Irish were deported and sent as slave labor to Bermuda and Barbados.

In a recent review, The Irish Voice heralds: “To Hell or Barbados might have been a nightmarish journey for the Irish under Cromwell’s rule, but it is a trip that pays many dividends for the listener.” And The All Music Guide notes, “To Hell or Barbados is folk and roots rock with substance, with the sound of Ireland mixed in for good measure. A most intriguing cocktail.”

Winner of the prestigious Meteor Award for Best Irish Male in 2006 and 2007 for Shots, (he won 4 Meteors for 2004’s Seize The Day), Damien has drawn praise from iconic Irish musicians including Sinéad O’Connor, who hand picked Damien for the opening slot: “I don’t think there’s ever been anyone like him… In a way I think he represents the sort of voice in Ireland that is not allowed to be heard.”

Damien Dempsey will tour in the following cities:
September 15-16 CHICAGO, IL Chicago Celtic Festival

Following dates opening for Sinéad O’Connor:
September 17 SAN DIEGO, CA Spreckels Theater
September 18 LOS ANGELES, CA Orpheum Theater
September 19 LAS VEGAS, NV The Joint
September 20 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Capitol Theater
September 21 DENVER, CO Paramount Theater
September 23 CHICAGO, IL Symphony Center
September 24 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Pantages Theater
October 20 TORONTO, ON Massy Hall
October 21 POUGHKEEPSIE, NY The Bardavon Theater
October 22 BOSTON, MA The Orpheum
October 23 NEW YORK, NY The Beacon Theater
October 24 WASHINGTON, D.C. Strathmore
October 26 ATLANTA, GA Tabernacle
October 28 AUSTIN, TX Hogg Auditorium (Univ. Texas)
October 30 PHILADELPHIA, PA Keswick Theater

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