Damian Hagger sits down for a (virtual) chat with Indiesoundz about himself, his music, and his new album, Half My Mind.

How did you get started in music? Did it start with getting the 4-track or were you into it before?

I've always been pretty music influenced — some of my earliest memories are of me listening to Tchaikovsky and the Bee Gees at around 4 or 5! But my real passion started when I picked up a classical guitar that we had lying around the house (my Dad had bought it for my Mom, but no-one had ever played it). I gave it a try and was hooked!

You've lived all over the world — in England, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States. Has this affected you musically?

Although the majority of my listening over my lifetime has been American and British groups and artists, I've definitely been exposed to some great music from Africa and South East Asia. For instance I have my alarm set in the morning to a CD of a terrific South African jazz group called Tananas. Although it's probably hard to specify how any of this music has influenced me, I think when people listen to my music they notice it's got a certain quirk to it.
Which do you get more excited about — putting on a live performance or finishing a studio track?

There's a different excitement for both. I love arranging and producing music in the studio. When everything comes together and you get the vibe you were looking for — there's nothing like it! Equally, playing live can be the biggest adrenalin rush ever — there's a spontaneity and exhilaration that you can't get anywhere else and the same songs you play over and over again have a unique feel each gig that you play. I really can't say that I like either better than the other and I'm sure all musicians feel the same.

Half My Mind is your first effort as a solo singer/songwriter. What prompted you to go this way?

I did it for a couple of reasons. I had an album worth of songs that I had written and wanted to record and I also wanted to give being a front man a try. I've been in several bands as guitarist and writer — this time I wanted to give this role a try.

Do you find being a solo artist different than recording with a group?

Even being a solo artist I bring other people in to play with me, so it's not hugely different. I think the hardest thing to grasp being a solo artist is that it's all resting on you. If people don't like it - it's a much more personal thing than when you are writing and recording with a group.

Can you describe the music of Half My Mind for someone who's never heard it?

music.download.com described it as "Sounding like the Bay City Rollers and Weezer, if they hung out in the Paisley Underground" and I think that's a good description. I like to think of it as a modern T-Rex — it's Pop Rock with some very eclectic influences!

Whereas a lot of self-described "pop-rock(ers)" often stick with the standard guitar/bass/drums/vox instrumentation, you've added things like horns and strings - why?

It really comes down to what the song needs. Early on in the recording sessions, Dave Uosikkinen (The producer of the album) and I sat down with the basics of the record and laid out what additional instrumentation we wanted. When we listened to the raw tracks there were very obvious needs for certain instruments to bring out different parts and highlight various song sections — so we really did it on a song to song basis depending on what we thought was
needed. We didn't restrict the kind of sounds we wanted in any way - after we had decided what we wanted we went about getting the players we needed and writing the parts. It was calculated, but necessary.

Where can people get Half My Mind?

You can buy Half My Mind online at CDbaby.com (if you want a physical copy) or you can download it on iTunes.com! There are also several other outlets to get it from if you prefer other sources. I've listed all of them on my website at www.damianhagger.com.

Who are your musical influences?

Oh boy! Get ready: Van Halen, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, Peter Gabriel, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Eagles, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Steve Vai, Prokofiev, Ravel, John Scofield, U2... this list could go on forever...

What are your top five favourite albums of all time?

Damn these desert island questions! Ok here we go:

1) Fair Warning — Van Halen
2) US — Peter Gabriel
3) Guitar Shop — Jeff Beck
4) Thriller — Michael Jackson
5) Anything by Hendrix

What's in your CD player right now?

Ben Folds Rockin The Suburbs — got it a while ago, but it's just a killer album so I'm back to listening to it!

Bonus Question: Which is better, CDs or vinyl? (or MP3s, for that matter — I guess we should be up-to-date, especially considering what Indiesoundz does :)

I'm a 21st century boy so it’s gotta be CDs baby! You can't beat that fidelity! Of course I love MP3s too — regardless of their sound quality they have revolutionized the music space and that's what I'm all about! Power to the music fans!