Damien Binder: New Single Back To Me (Video Premiere)

Damien Binder has released his new single ‘Back To Me‘. Now he’s extremely pleased to reveal the mesmerising digital tapestry video, directed by Jonathan King.

We’re thrilled to premiere the video here on 13th Floor. Here’s more info:

Damien’s latest single continues his open-minded and heartfelt exploration of new sounds and styles within his songwriting. Two decades into his solo career he’s taken his proven credentials as a consummate songwriter and married them with the acclaimed production nous of Matt Gio (Katy Steele, Birds of Tokyo, Abbe May, Rudimental). The melodies sound even sweeter, the songs more poetic and the overall sound is one that defies categorisation by way of its universality.

‘Back To Me‘, from Binder’s forthcoming 2022 album, creates an alluring and tantalising mood with beating drums, atmospheric guitar, harp and keys, before a warm Radiohead-like bass enters the fray alongside jangly acoustic guitar, deepening and widening the sound as Binder sings about finding and acknowledging one’s own identity and self.
 
“I was thinking about how at times you can be led down a path, whether it be  another’s influence or because of the fashion of the day and it’s not really your style or what you stand for,” explains Binder. “The song is a realisation about coming back to being yourself.”

Directed by Binder’s creative visual collaborator Jonathan King (dir. of Black Sheep, Under The Mountain), the video sees Binder transformed into a constantly evolving sea of ampersands, hashtags, letters and exclamation marks. It’s a perfect representation of the evolution of Binder’s music and the way he combines traditional and contemporary production and songwriting.

In the studio, Matt Gio once again brings his production skills to Binder’s classic songwriting, seamlessly weaving acoustic guitar and electronic elements around Binder’s voice. Traditional pop and rock composition are at the core of ‘Back To Me’ yet it’s coloured and contextualised within the framework of indie/alternative pop, rock and electronic forms. “It was kinda straight, more folky originally but Matt came up with this whole off-beat feel which inspired us to go a bit more atmospheric with some harp, keys and chiming guitars.”

‘Back To Me’ and the preceding singles all showcase the artistry and range of songwriting that will feature on his fifth solo album currently in production with Gio. It’s been six years since Damien released his last album, the critically acclaimed A New World; years in which he relocated from Sydney to Perth, refocused on his songwriting craft and has now returned with renewed intent and exemplary songs. 

SINGLE CREDITS

Damien Binder – Vocals & Guitars
Matt Gio – Bass, Drums, Guitar & Keys
Bob Shepheard – Keys
Produced by Matt Gio at Rada Recording Studios, Fremantle WA
Mastered by William Bowden at King Willy Studios, Launceston TAS

Singer-songwriter Damien Binder has been writing and recording his original style of moody alt-rock for more than 20 years.

Since his self-titled debut in the early 2000’s, the APRA Silver Scroll nominated artist has gone on to release four acclaimed solo albums and performed internationally supporting some of the world’s leading acts including David Gray, Marianne Faithfull and Ani Di Franco.

Prior to pursuing his solo career, Damien fronted New Zealand rock band Second Child who shot to fame with their debut album Slinky which saw the band play esteemed support slots for acts such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Powderfinger, Rollins Band, Hunters & Collectors, Fugazi and famously Nirvana on their only NZ tour.

Damien’s brand of thoughtful, melodic songwriting has drawn much praise from reviewers.

PRESS

“‘Here It Is’ is a shining beacon of soul-stirring, anthemic indie pop.”
Arun Kendall Backseat Mafia

“The earlier part of the song also gives me the feels of ‘Streets of Philadelphia’, which also isn’t a bad thing. This is a track that captivates on first listen. Binder is an artist who is meticulous in his artistry. It has a warm embrace of melancholia. The accompanying video fits like a glove, with its futuristic feel and deft contrast of light and shade and constant movement.”
 the AU review on ‘Everything But’

“This is a collection of little gems.” 
★★★½ – Sydney Morning Herald on A New World

“Damien Binder is one of those smart songwriters because he walks a pleasing line between the singer-songwriter genre and a smattering of power pop. He writes songs which in a better world would find themselves all over radio.”
Graham Reid Elsewhere

“On A New World Binder looks to ’80s English jangle-pop and Aussie indie for his template.  Parallels with Commotions, The Go-Betweens, The Church and The Triffids are obvious…”
The 13th Floor

“Reigniting the candle of ’80s jangle-pop is New Zealand-born songwriter Damien Binder. Binder’s A New World takes classic indie-acoustic styles of old and blends them with a hefty dose of Britpop flair. The album parallels such bands as The Go-Betweens and The Church, but also branches out with stylistic nods to the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Ron Sexsmith.” 
★★★½ – The Music