New Album – Banjophonics Taster Tracks

June 7, 2022

I’m delighted to let you all preview not one, not two but three new tracks from my new album with master banjo and guitar picker (and he can sing a bit too!!) Ron Block. Just click on the ‘Listen Here’ link on the top left (positioning may be different on other devices) and get yer lugs round them! This is our second album titled ‘Banjophonics’ as we like to think we make some fireworks when we play together. We are hugely proud of this record which we started back in 2019 but got halted due to a certain virus!! I really hope you enjoy the music and song and please do come and see us somewhere near you to hear more. Ron is flying over that there pond from Nashville and we are touring all over the UK this July. We will be back touring the UK in October 2022 alongside dates in Ireland to be announced very soon. See ‘Gigs’ page for all dates. For now, new banjo music and we’ve even done a couple of songs on this record. Ain’t no thang, like a banjo strang. 😉 I’ve also got some other very exciting news to tell but I’m not allowed yet so watch this banjo space…

New Website

March 14, 2022

Welcome to my new, colourful, 2022 website. It has been an interesting last 24 months but it’s time to get back at it now and this year is going to be my busiest yet!! I spent October & November last year recording and playing on Kate Rusby’s new album to celebrate 30 years on the road…30 years, how is that possible, she doesn’t even look thirty! What a woman and what a landmark year for Kate. I Produced the album, titled ’30 : Happy Returns’ and got to work with some mind-blowing guests such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Richard Hawley, KT Tunstall, Beth Neilsen Chapman, Sarah Jarosz, Darlingside and more. What an experience to bring me into the new year, after we did a few Christmas shows first though. The album will be released May 6th 2022 and Track 1 ‘We Will Sing’ with Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be released as a Pre-Release track on April 6th. I’ll be joining Kate on the road for an extensive Spring tour this year in April and May and there is lots more going on throughout the year like a festival show at Glastonbury and celebrating 30 years at Underneath The Stars Festival. Exciting times…

Now, onto my collaboration with none other than ‘banjo rock-god,’ multi Grammy winner, Ron Block. 2018 saw the release of our first ever album, Banjophony. It was so well received and we quickly got on with another record in 2019. We started recording the second one in April 2019 where we recorded about 6 tracks live at Pure Studios and then met up again in November 2019 when we recorded another couple of tracks during a few gigs we were doing in the UK. We were all set to finish the record in April 2020 and Covid came along and spoiled the banjo party. Both Ron’s and my life changed completely so the new album got put on the shelf for a long while. But, fear not, we finished the record remotely in February this year, sending tracks back and forth to each other and it was very fun. The new album is called Banjophonics, which again, like the first album title, is the sound we think we make, a definition of our music. There are a few more fireworks thrown in on this one and Ron and I also take a song each. It is a collaboration which makes me very happy and I love the music and banjo sounds we make together. We will be setting off on an extensive UK tour this year beginning on June 1st going right through July and then Ron will be back in October again when we’ll tour UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Check out the ‘Live’ page for details. Right I’m outta here. Here’s to an amazing year of music and craic and thanks to the NHS.

Avenging & Bright Out Now!

January 8, 2018

My third solo Avenging & Bright is out for all to hear!! You can learn more about the recording, performances and background to the tracks on a brand new video on my YouTube page here!

There’s been a phenomenal response from press and radio stations, with a 5* review from Sunday Express and comments of ‘Pin sharp production and stellar musicianship…an eclectic canvas of sounds’ by Northern Sky Magazine. Most importantly, I’m over the moon with your reception of the album so far and hope to keep this moving on into the future. Thanks a billion for your amazing support guys!! 

Avenging & Bright is ready to download and stream from all major digital platforms, including: iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and Amazon Music.

The album is also available on CD from Pure Records and Amazon.

Avenging & Bright Pre Order

November 21, 2017

I am thrilled to announce I’ll be releasing my third solo record on December 8th! It is called Avenging & Bright and continues my journey of finding new ways of telling the old stories I love to find. There are a couple of originals in here as well. More news to follow soon but for now pre orders can be placed Xx

Click here to pre order the album!

Tour Dates Announcement

January 20, 2017

‘Ladies and gentlepeeps, I’m very pleased to be heading out on a double headlining tour with hugely talented musician and singer Daoirí Farrell, in March 2017. I’ll be diddlin’ and singing with my trio including the skills of Steven Byrnes on guitars and percussion and Steven Iveson on electric guitar (the boys also play in my big band) and Daoirí will be going solo. I dare to say there may be a collaboration coming on too 😉 See you there Xx’

Click here for tour dates

Damien O’Kane Trio / Daoiri Farrell in Barnsley

January 11, 2017

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Nomination

February 15, 2016

We’re thrilled to announce Damien’s album Areas of High Traffic has been nominated  by BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for best album in 2015!

The awards ceremony will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 27th April where the winner will be announced.

This is a public vote so please pass on the word and if you have enjoyed the new album please lend your support to Damien by voting here;

Vote here

Voting finishes on Friday 19th at midnight.

Awards, BBC prestige and Added to Mike Hardings ‘Best of 2015’ for Areas of High Traffic

January 11, 2016

*FolkWords Announced the winners of their 2015 FolkWords Album Awards on Friday 8th January and Areas of High Traffic was named winner of ‘BEST ALBUM FROM A MALE ARTIST’ and runner-up in ‘ALBUM OF THE YEAR.’ Fantastic news!!! http://www.folkwords.com/2015albumawards.html

*AOHT was also announced last night as BBC RADIO MERSEYSIDE ‘Folkscene’ Show ‘ALBUM OF THE YEAR,’ where presenter Mike Brocken said, ‘One of the best albums I’ve heard in decades.’ www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03cy5qj

Last but definitely not least, Mike Harding added AOHT to his ‘Best of 2015’ on his radio show last night. A great honour indeed from such a fine man. Thanks Mike http://www.mikehardingfolkshow.com/podcast-159/

Thanks to all for your continued support 😉

On Tour with Kate Rusby in Beverley on te%

January 8, 2016

Nominations and Prestigious Accolade for Damien’s AREAS OF HIGH TRAFFIC

January 6, 2016

Areas of High Traffic has been Nominated for FOLKWORDS ALBUM AWARDS 2015 in not one but two categories – BEST ALBUM BY A MALE ARTIST and ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2015 😉

 

AOHT was also added to SUNDAY EXPRESS ‘TOP 10 CDs OF 2015’ alongside great artists such as Waterboys, Lana Del Rey, Mercury Rev and more…

 

Great news!!