We Speak Music
From Star Charts to Stage Lights: The Remarkable Journey of Katie Dauson
Katie Dauson has never taken the obvious route. Before becoming a rising star in the indie rock scene, she studied physics and astronomy, worked in advertising, and even had a hand in video game design. But it wasn’t until she stepped up to the mic at an open mic night—armed with nothing but her song “Virtual Sky” and a quietly burning passion—that her path to music came into sharp focus.
Fast-forward to today, and Dauson is releasing Pure Katie, a genre-defying rock album that showcases the full spectrum of her creativity. It’s a project that started out as a concept album but morphed into something far more alive and immediate. “The songs took on a life of their own,” she says. “Now we’ve got this rock and roll thing—with a few surprises.”
The album plays like a musical autobiography—personal, bold, and refreshingly unpredictable. “Go Penny Go” channels punky energy and vintage swagger, while “When Will I Wake Up” taps into something more vulnerable and reflective. The throughline? Dauson’s fearless approach to storytelling.
Pure Katie isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s the sound of an artist discovering herself in real time. And for someone whose journey has always followed the road less traveled, this album feels like a thrilling new chapter.
Some bands are born in basements. Others in backyards or borrowed studios. DAMNAGE was born on the road — in dressing rooms, rehearsal halls, and after-hours hotel bars while touring with some of the biggest artists on the planet. Now, after years of playing behind global icons, the trio steps into the spotlight with a self-titled debut that’s as volatile as it is vulnerable, as thoughtful as it is ferocious.
The band — made up of Tim Stewart (guitar/vocals), Jonny Drummond (bass/vocals), and Tosh Peterson (drums) — represents the convergence of deep friendship, shared history, and a hunger to create something truly their own. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable. “We’ve known each other for over 10 years,” the band explains. “We toured the world together with different artists. Each of us carries the same passion and desire to be in a band together. So we seized the moment.”
That chemistry powers every track on DAMNAGE. From the blistering opener “Wasteland” to the sardonic stomp of “Important,” the album channels frustration, anger, and confusion into a sound that punches hard but hits smart. It’s a record born from lived experience — not just as musicians, but as human beings grappling with a world that often makes no sense. Tracks like “Try” and “Time” mirror the collective disillusionment of a generation worn thin, but refuse to collapse under the weight.
One of the album’s standout qualities is its ability to balance intensity with nuance. Yes, it rages — but it also thinks. DAMNAGE isn’t here just to blow out your speakers; they want to shake something loose inside you. Whether they’re taking aim at fame’s fragile ego on “Important” or critiquing social performance in “Semisocial,” there’s always something more under the surface. It’s punk with a purpose.
Sonically, DAMNAGE sits at the intersection of several genres without ever sounding derivative. There are echoes of hardcore, post-punk, and grunge, but what ties it all together is the band’s unrelenting energy and unshakable conviction. The guitars are jagged and melodic, the basslines thick with tension, and Peterson’s drums anchor it all with a confidence that belies his age. You can hear the years they’ve spent on stage — and the freedom they’ve found in finally owning their own.
It’s also a deeply personal record. “Never See It,” in particular, feels like a gut-punch — a slow-burning closer that aches with emotional honesty. It’s a reminder that underneath all the noise and bravado, DAMNAGE is built on real emotion, real friendships, and a desire to connect. There’s nothing performative here — just three artists speaking their truth in the loudest way they know how.
DAMNAGE’s debut isn’t just a strong first record — it’s the sound of something long overdue. A project forged in history, heartbreak, and defiance. In a culture where so much feels fake or filtered, DAMNAGE is the real thing: loud, raw, and impossible to ignore. This album isn’t just a listen — it’s an experience. And it’s one you won’t forget anytime soon.
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