Conversations with Patrick Damphier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Damphier.

Hi Patrick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up with a songwriter dad and started tagging along to his demo sessions when I was 12. Back then, publishers would actually fund demo sessions, so they would take place in professional studios with A-list session musicians. I was mesmerized by the entire recording process, often bugging the musicians and engineers with question after question. When I was 18, I landed a janitor job at one of the busier studios in town. For the next three years, I used that studio to record mostly metal and punk bands between the hours of midnight and 7 AM. By the time I was 21, I got hired as a staff engineer at that same studio and spent the next couple years doing that until a band I was in got a record deal and toured for the better part of 4 years. Ever since that group split up, I’ve been splitting my time touring with acts as a side musician and producing/writing when I’m home.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve been facing the last few years is making the transition from renting to owning studio space. I’ve been slowly building my own spot and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I play a few different instruments on tour and in the studio.

I write songs both for myself and with other writers/artists.

I do a lot of mixing/mastering work these days in addition to producing.

I’m most proud of the producing and songwriting work. I’ve prolly spent the most time developing those things. I love the feeling of starting a day with nothing and by the afternoon having some new song to sing or listen to.

As far as what sets me apart from others doing songwriting and production work in Nashville, I’m a bit on the fringes I think. I like art that’s a bit left of center and not the most straight ahead or obvious in its meaning. I also try to keep some semblance of a sense of humor in the work. I care way less about what others think these days.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I used to be a serious baseball player.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://patrickdamphier.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickdamphier
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrickdamphier
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickdamphiersongs
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@patrickdamphier