| Revision as of 20:26, 11 January 2025 editXxglennxx (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,350 edits CreateTag: Visual edit: Switched | Revision as of 20:27, 11 January 2025 edit undoXxglennxx (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,350 editsm →External linksNext edit → | ||
| Line 84: | Line 84: | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * | |||
| * | * | ||
Revision as of 20:27, 11 January 2025
English singer-songwriter and composer
| Damh the Bard | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dave Smith (1965-06-16) 16 June 1965 (age 59) Cornwall |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Spouse | Cerri Smith |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Isle of White |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Formerly of |
|
| Musical artist | |
| Website | paganmusic |
Damh the Bard (/ˈdeɪv/ DAY-v; born 16 June 1965, born Dave Smith) is a pagan English singer-songwriter from Falmouth, Cornwall. Dave chose his bardic name "Damh" due to his affinity with stags and deers, with damh being the Irish Gaelic word for 'stag,' and the 'mh in Irish Gaelic producing the 'v' sound in English.
Damh's debut album, Herne's Apprentice, was released in 2002, and he has released 11 other albums since then, with his latest, Raise the Flag of Green, released in 2024.
Dave's spiritual journey began at the age of 18 when he was initiated into a ceremonial magic group, later joining the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
In conjunction with the OBOD, Dave hosts the Order's monthly podcast, Druidcast.
Career in music
During the 1990s, Dave co-founded the folk music band Spiral Castle, which he describes as Mystic Folk, who regularly performed at the Pagan Federation's conferences at Croydon. In 2000, Dave decided to leave Spiral Castle to pursue a career in music on his own, and in 2002, released his début album, Herne's Apprentice. Since the release of Here's Apprentice, Dave has released 11 other albums.
Taking inspiration from the ancient myths and legends of the British Isles, in 2017, Dave released the first part of a four part series based on the Mabinogi, releasing Y Mabinogi – The First Branch, Y Mabinogi – The Second Branch in 2018, and Y Mabinogi – The Third Branch in 2020. Y Mabinogi – The Second Branch is currently in production (January 2025).
Dave has performed extensively on the spiritual festival circuit in the UK, USA, Australia, and Europe.
Journey into paganism and OBOD
Dave spiritual journey first formally began in 1983, when he was initiated into a ceremonial magic group. He went on to discover modern paganism and later, druidry, and joined the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD) at the age of 29 in 1994.
In 2002, Dave was re-initiated as a Bard into the OBOD, having been previously initiated as a Bard in the Anderida Grove in 1995.
At the Summer Solstice of 2010, he was installed as the Pendragon of the Order, taking over from the artist Will Worthington who had been the Order's Pendragon (leader) for the previous 19 years.
Dave describes spiritual path as animistic and described himself as a "costal Druid" due to his attraction of the sea.
Discography
- Herne’s Apprentice, 2002
- The Hills they are Hollow, 2003
- Spirit of Albion, 2006
- The Cauldron Born, 2008
- As Nature Intended (live), 2010
- Tales from the Crow Man, 2010
- Antlered Crown and Standing Stone, 2012
- Sabbat, 2015
- Y Mabinogi – The First Branch, 2017
- Y Mabinogi – The Second Branch, 2018
- Y Mabinogi – The Third Branch, 2020
- Raise the Flag of Green, 2024
See also
References
- ^ "Damh The Bard Exclusive Interview". Electric Music Mag. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "Biography - Damh the Bard". 27 April 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "Thinking About - The Magic of the Sea - Damh the Bard". 9 July 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- "Herne's Apprentice - 2002 - Damh the Bard". Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- "Everything about my music - Damh the Bard". 31 May 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "A Modern-day Bard - Damh the Bard". 17 May 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "Who Runs The Order? How Is It Structured? - Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids". 16 December 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- "Pendragon - Damh the Bard". 17 June 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- "A Modern-day Bard - Damh the Bard". 17 May 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2025.