With a gravel-edged voice and a storyteller’s heart, Damien McFly has spent the last decade building a global following on the strength of emotionally charged folk-pop anthems and deeply human songwriting. Now, the Italian singer-songwriter returns with 'for those who care', a bold, intimate, and sonically expansive new album that captures his growth as both an artist and a person.
At the heart of this record lies 'Years and Years', a standout single that asks a quietly powerful question: what happens when even the most carefully chosen people let you down? It’s a sentiment that runs throughout the album, a tribute to those who still feel, still show up, still care. Not just about music, but about each other, about the little things, about living with intention.
So with the new album out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I think the first one was the drums, I still have a picture of me when I was like 3 years old playing a small kit.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was pretty much into classic rock and metal, going from Queen to Metallica and then Nirvana, System of a Down. Also part of me kept listening to old romantic Italian songs by Lucio Battisti.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first one was “One by One” by the Foo Fighters.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I love Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons, it’s such an incredible track. That song has got some kind of transcendent power over me cause it kind of makes me go through so many different emotions in 4 minutes.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I used to smoke and usually after starting to write something whenever I got stuck I would go for a cigarette and come back with the right idea. I tend to write lyrics on my phone when I’m on the plane or on a train, ‘cause that’s the only moment I can pause the world and focus on my feelings.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
As mentioned before System of a Down and Foo Fighters have a special place in my heart but since I was 22 I’ve been a fan of Mumford and Sons. At the moment I really enjoy listening to Sam Fender and I think Sombr has brought some kind of freshness in pop music.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Definitely Mumford and Sons or The Lumineers, just cause I think their audience is a perfect match for my music too.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Of course I love a crowd cheering for me but I find it even more rewarding when I receive a compliment from someone I don’t know, someone who isn’t already a fan.
And what is the most frustrating part?
When you trust someone and then find out they’re trying to screw you over.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I don’t have one in particular but one I’d give to my younger self is “write more songs and build a huge catalogue because that stays forever”.
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Damien McFly's new album 'for those who care' is out now. Listen to it in the player below.