Damien Dempsey has said that his first album in seven years was inspired by a book he had read about The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The 16-track Hold Your Joy is released on 25 October and it is the Dublin singer's first album of new music since 2017’s Soulsun.
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Speaking about the new release, the 40-year-old Donaghmede man said, "The album Hold Your Joy came from a great book I read that really lifted me when I was down in the dumps, the Book of Joy by Douglas Abrama.
"He got two wise men together to talk about the importance of trying to stay grateful and joyful, these two men had lived through wars and oppression in their native lands, exile and apartheid, but maintained that you can do far more good for the world and those around you and yourself. if you try and stay grateful and joyful through it all.
"The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu were the two wise men, everyone on earth needs to read this book, or hear it."
Speaking about the album’s first single, also entitled Hold Your Joy, he added, "The song came first in the riff you hear on the piano, I woke up with it in me head, very strong, so I ran downstairs and started fleshing it out on the piano, it obviously came in a dream, and I think the world is waking up to the power of the mind, visualisation, gratitude, meditation, mindfulness, the dark times will come.
"But practice stilling your mind in the morning and practice gratitude, and you’ll know the joy is on its way, and when it comes, hold it."
Over his 25-year career, Dempsey has released ten albums and performed with Sinéad O’Connor, John Grant, Imelda May, The Dubliners, Lisa O’Neil, Maverick Sabre as well as supporting the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Morrissey and Willie Nelson on tour.
In 2023, he performed 20 sold out shows at the Abbey Theatre with Tales from the Holywell, which saw some of Ireland’s musical storytellers perform onstage.
Dempsey plays Vicar Street, Dublin on 16, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 23 of December.
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