Damian Cowell

Damian Cowell ‘was the guy in TISM’. Or so he claims. Anyone could, really. TISM wore masks and performed under pseudonyms. But the rest is more interesting: 20 years, 7 albums, 2 ARIAs, at least one lawsuit, top 10, TV Week, Big Day Out, programming Rage, being called ‘Scum’ by Nico, quoting James Joyce to bogans and James Hird to intellectuals, doing radio interviews with a motor mower, performing two songs simultaneously from both ends of a venue, talking to the rock press via megaphones and 50 metres of string, making the guy from Rolling Stone wear a wetsuit, becoming a recurring question in TV quiz shows – if you want the boring version, check out Wikipedia. Deciding his youthful good looks had gone, Damian Cowell ‘came out’ in public in 2007. He released two albums as the front-man of ROOT! In 2011 he was commissioned by David Walsh to create a soundtrack for his Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The soundtrack was titled Vs Art. It is only available in MONA. He released two albums as front-man of The DC3. In 2013 he combined music and surreal monologues to present ‘The Ringtone Cycle’ at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and ‘Modern Unconsciousness’ at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, to rave reviews. His writing has featured in a range of publications from The Age to The Kings Tribune. The ABC has commissioned him as an ‘arts commentator’. Damian Cowell now has a new project. Or so he claims. " … gloriously witty ranting " The Age Melbourne " … a sensory overload of epic proportions" Herald Sun Melbourne “wtf??” Time Out, UK "… the stupendously quick wit of Damian Cowell" www.themusic.com.au ‘… a national treasure’ Sydney Morning Herald Damian Cowell. Writer. Musician. Singer. Charlatan.