Episode 33: Damian Cowell

Kids Love Balloons

OK so I couldn't resist using a TISM reference in my intro, despite the language being filthy, and now I'm caught somewhere in between "that's a great dad joke" or "why did you swear like that you buffoon". TISM was one of Australia's most iconic and entertaining bands and when a song title such as "I might be a ..." exists, the opportunity to use it contextually was too rare to resist.

Nevertheless. Former member Damian Cowell popped around to my place and we had a great yarn for a couple of hours. He's now focused on Damian Cowell's Disco Machine - a new album to be released February 20 and subsequent shows which seem basically unmissable. Just by reading the band name you can sense the sheer fun this project exudes.

It's about "giving in to the simple joys of my own twisted version of fun dance music". The album is titled Get Yer Dag On. The gist is: What a shit world we're living in - let's boogie!

So we discuss the musical influences of the project, the pleasures of choreography, how his career developed over the years and as it happens, plenty of life lessons pop up. He airs concern that we ventured in to "some sort of self-help" thing and if that element is there, I don't mind too much. Hahaha this nugget of wisdom does spring from the chat so thanks Damian for the inspiration and comfort!

We can all garner some hope. DAILY DISAPPOINTMENT is beneficial and make you a richer, fuller person. Try things and fail. Feel emotionally vulnerable and experience suffering. It all helps in the long run, keeps us grounded, teaches us lessons, and as long as we keep recognising this we can stay on top and not let the disappointment defeat us.

For the most part though I just hope you have a dance or a sing today and I hope it makes you smile!

Damian is the first ARIA winner to add songs to Ever-growing Playlist of Joy and look out - they might not be what you expect!

See you on social media @TheSongNerd!