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Hometown: Ventura, CA
Management: Matt B
Website: www.joshdamigo.com
Sounds Like: Gavin DeGraw, Glen Hansard, Matt Nathanson, The Wallflowers, Jakob Dylan
Genre: Singer Songwriter
Josh will cheerfully admit that he averaged less than a dozen people a show when he first began playing San Diego coffee houses and clubs. But he garnered diehard fans in the process, sold a few thousand copies of his EP, Pocket Change, and picked up few awards along the way.
After a traumatic family incident Josh retreated inward, and he ended up writing what would ultimately become his breakout debut, Raw. The album was true to its name and people noticed - Josh picked up two San Diego Music Awards for "Best Acoustic" and "Best Local Recording," opened for the likes of Zac Brown, Jason Mraz, and Matt Nathanson, and had enough money and momentum to tour the country a few times over.
A few years after Raw, there was his third EP, Hope. Whereas Raw was a mostly acoustic, vulnerable affair, Hope was a celebration. Pleading and poignant, heartfelt and heavy hearted, it segued effortlessly from orchestral to alt-country, eventually landing him in the top 25 on the country charts.
One of the hardest working indie singer/songwriters in Southern California, Josh spent much of the year with producer Mike Butler, gathering up some of the finest musicians in town, shaping his songs and sound further still for his album I Will Be There out now on Randm Records.
From the joyous encouragement of “Just Give Me a Call”, to the simple sincerity of the ballad “Tennessee”, Josh’s songwriting skills are clear, his voice rings true and his goals remain the same as when he started - to keep making the best music he can, and to share it with all.
After a traumatic family incident, Damigo retreated inward, and he ended up writing what would ultimately become his breakout debut, Raw. The album was true to its name and people noticed - Josh picked up two San Diego Music Awards for "Best Acoustic" and "Best Local Recording," opened for the likes of Zac Brown, Jason Mraz, Eric Hutchinson, and Matt Nathanson, and had enough money and momentum to tour the country a few times over.
A few years after Raw, there was his third release, Hope. Whereas Raw was a mostly acoustic, vulnerable affair, Hope was a celebration. Pleading and poignant, heartfelt and heavy hearted, it segued effortlessly from orchestral to alt-country, eventually landing him in the top 25 on the country charts.
One of the hardest working indie singer/songwriters in Southern California, Damigo spent much of year with producer Mike Butler, gathering up some of the finest musicians in town, shaping his songs and sound further still for his latest album, "I Will Be There", was released in 2013, on Randm Records.
From the up-tempo single, “Just Give Me a Call”, to the simple sincerity of the ballad “Tennessee”, Josh’s songwriting skills are clear, his voice rings true and his goals remain the same as when he started - to keep making the best music he can, and to share it with all.
Now, in 2023, Josh is proud to release the acoustic recording of his album “Just Give Me a Call” called “Me and My Guitar: Recorded at Lost Ark Studio.”
Covid-19 hit.
Randm Records closed up shop.
Before it did, CEO Paul Cavanaugh messaged Josh with the files and said, “You need to release these.”
Josh did.
Enjoy the new tracks and look out for Josh at local venues in Southern California!
“[I Will Be There] takes on a creative aspect that is unlike his previous records yet still brings that classic Josh Damigo sound. Country influences are apparent throughout each track, as you’ll hear the sounds of mandolins, banjos and dobros.
The record opens with “Walking With Your Shoes Untied” which was the perfect intro to the rest of the album. There’s an automatic country vibe with a foot tapping, hand clapping, feel-good chorus mixed in. It has a Buddy Holly-esque resemblance to it, in which it was written with a sense of timelessness to it and can be taken for a variety of meanings. The next track, “Just Give Me A Call”, is the record’s first single and is the perfect radio single for a number of reasons."”
Gina Catalano - Stage Right Secrets
““Walking With Your Shoes Untied” rocks, a hand-clapping, upbeat song that gets the disc off to a strong start, it is catchy and refreshing with a lesson about making the most of life’s challenges. The disc highlight, “Give Me a Call,” is next, another brisk rocker with a message of hope anchored in a drop-dead memorable chorus hook; it’s the radio-ready single of the set. Damigo hits another home run with “Goodbye Good Times” as he manages a humorous story about a character who is his own worst enemy, stealing and brawling his way through life, in and out of jail. Again, the song’s hook burns its riff into the listener’s brain after a verse or two.”
Frank Kocher - San Diego Troubadour
“Winner of the 2009 San Diego Music Award for “Best Local Recording,” Josh Damigo is certainly one of the most gifted singer-songwriters the area has seen in some time. The tunes from his award-winning disc, “Raw,” will likely get the night’s biggest response, but he’s an engaging, crowd-pleasing performer, whether in acoustic mode or with a combo. Damigo adds a slight pop edge to his songs that makes his music a bridge between the acoustic stylings of Jason Mraz and the rock of Switchfoot.”
Bart Mendoza - North Park News
“Damigo is ambitious and he wears it on his sleeve. Throughout the record, he delivers more natural performances that demonstrate considerable growth vocally and performance-wise over his 2007 EP. His lack of cynicism makes him different and may align him with a broader listening audience.”
Will Edwards - The San Diego Troubadour
“Damigo's CD, Raw, demonstrate that there is no substitute for hard work. The entire CD benefits from clever songwriting, meaningful lyrics, and Damigo's unique ability to switch gears. It captures Damigo doing what he does best: performing, not just singing.”
John Philip Wyllie - The San Diego Troubadour
