Damon and Naomi

"Damon & Naomi are Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang, and they have been writing and playing music together since 1987. They are far from being the average rock stars. Not even the average alternative or indie rock stars. Or psych/acid-folk stars. You name it. My point is: they take their music and their art so seriously, with such deep dedication and love, yet they spread their subtle, nutty sense of humour in every single action they take. Basically, they are Artists with a capital A, with all the transcending weight of the word, but they are also what you would call "good to hang out with"--great to hang out with." (Joan Vich Montaner)

After the release of their fourth full-length record (September 2000’s Damon & Naomi with Ghost), Damon & Naomi toured extensively with Ghost guitarist Michio Kuirhara. This sort of prolonged touring produces a level of communication between the musicians distinct from that found on studio recordings. Or, as Kurihara describes it: “…during the tour I was gradually able to grasp their unique sense of timing and breathing. Particularly from around the middle of the tour on there were a number of amazing moments when we got this real synergy between the vibrations of the audience and the vibrations that we on stage were putting out. I guess that’s what people mean when they talk about ‘magic’.” Some high points of this bout of touring included the 2000 Terrastock Festival in Seattle, Wash., a New York City CMJ performance with PJ Harvey, and a UK and European tour which reached its climax with the performance in San Sebastian, Spain documented here.
-----
MY GUARDIAN ANGEL RECORDED A SHOW IN SAN SEBASTIAN

When I received an email message from Damon & Naomi telling me that they were (at last!) coming back to Spain, I was really happy I would be able to meet them again without having to cross the Atlantic and the Mediterranean to do it. I'd have to travel from my beautiful Mallorca hideaway to somewhere else in the continent, but the idea of spending some time with these sweet folkie folks and being able to see them play live again was well worth it. The San Sebastian show seemed immediately like one of the best possible choices: a lovely seaside city in Northern Spain (or should I be controversial and say, “…in the Basque Country” instead?), with the best architecture, irresistible local food and a few good friends I longed to see. The plan was to join the couple on their train trip down to Madrid (these people know how to put on a great tour, no stress, just an old-style traveling band), visit a bit around the capital and fly back to my small town retreat.

All of which I did. But also, I was asked to record their performance. Not knowing this beforehand I found myself without recording gear and forced to make the most of what I could borrow in San Sebastian — two hours before the show! Somehow, by the time the concert was about to begin, everything was miraculously set up; ready to press record and hope for the best. The show was so good from its very start that the entire room was kept silent and hypnotized — including me! I didn't realize I was actually recording the show until they were already halfway through it. Call me a fan.

Fortunately enough, my recording guardian angel was looking after everything for me. When Naomi started singing their last song in Japanese I smiled beatifically, went back to the desk, checked the overall sound, shook hands with the sound man and took a long, restful breath. I poured myself a glass of wine and walked nonchalantly towards the dressing room. I had some really good news to tell them.

I hope you will have a great time remembering that very special moment of my life. I still do.

-- Joan Vich Montaner
February 2002
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
-----
Song to the Siren is a two-disc set, consisting of both the revelatory show captured in San Sebastian on CD, as well as a DVD tour diary from the UK/European tour, directed by Naomi. The DVD portion of Song to the Siren is a 54-minute guided tour of trains, clubs, “dressing rooms,” and “hospitality suites,” during which our heroes encounter fellow bands, local promoters, friends, family, and fans. And, it’s all told with the charm, humor and honesty for which Damon & Naomi are known.
-----
About "Song to the Siren"

For as long as we have been musicians, I have always carried a camera with me on tour and have always documented our travels and adventures. Going all the way back to our days in Galaxie 500, these photographs have often found their way onto the artwork for our records — documenting my visual experiences along with our music. Last summer, though, on tour in the UK and Europe with Kurihara, I had both my usual camera, and a new mini-DV camera — a present from Damon.

As I learned how the mini-DV could capture things my still camera couldn't — the conversations we had amongst ourselves and with the people we met, the music of our fellow bands, and, most of all, the sense of time passing — I became very interested in it. It seemed like a way to combine the beauty of still photography, with the vitality of live performance.

I know my movie, like a live show, is far from technically perfect - but, to me, it captures perfectly the experience of being on tour.

- Naomi Yang
February 2002