Guitar Man: Damian Lewis’ Music Journey Part I

“I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing the songs I’ve written and been recording for my debut album. Be good to be back on stage, this time with a guitar in my hand.”

—Damian Lewis

photo credit: Rhys Frampton

You know what I did in the title, don’t you? If you know a certain ginger man who thinks he is the “second coming of Elvis” that is returning to stage with a guitar in hand, you go and title your related post after a lesser known Elvis gem 🙂

So… if you are not living under a rock, you know that Damian returned to stage, this time, with a guitar in hand turning his fantasies into reality. I have already reviewed his first three London gigs at Omeara, The Tabernacle and Hoxton Hall. Damian also took stage at Wilderness Festival, World Economic Forum in Davos and Cheltenham Jazz Festival. And not just that but he has already dropped three singles that you can hear/download: Down On the Bowery, Zaragoza, and Makin’ Plans. There is also a double-sided special 7-inch vinyl that he released on Record Store Day UK which you can order online now. Damian’s album Mission Creep is coming out on June 16 and you can pre-order it here. And it does not end there… Damian is scheduled to participate in the critically acclaimed song-writer sessions at Black Deer Festival on June 16, a stripped back set and signing of his record Mission Creep at Rough Trade East  in London, and his biggest gig to date at Union Chapel on July 11. I am sure more gigs will follow. You can visit our Damian Lewis Music Page to find out about Damian’s live gigs, ticket information, reviews and more. Continue reading “Guitar Man: Damian Lewis’ Music Journey Part I”

What to Expect When We Are Expecting ‘A Spy Among Friends’

Kim Philby is arguably the most famous – or should I say infamous? – secret agent of all times. He may not be as well known as James Bond, but in contrast to 007, Philby was a real-life spy and the most successful member of the Cambridge Five, a group of spies recruited by the Russians to pass information from the UK to the Soviet Union during the Second World War through 1950s. A charming and brilliant Cambridge graduate, he quickly rose to the top of the counterintelligence unit at the MI6. He became the head of the anti-Soviet unit, served as the MI6 chief in Istanbul and ultimately became MI6’s Washington-based liaison with the CIA. Having his confidantes at MI6 and becoming close friends with James Angleton, a rising star at the CIA . While his betrayal got some of his colleagues into big trouble and took several Soviet defectors to their deaths, nobody suspected Philby for years. And when some at the MI5 flagged him, his colleagues at the MI6 and the CIA came to the rescue. When they finally had the evidence to confront him, Philby had already provided secret information to the Soviets for 30 years! Continue reading “What to Expect When We Are Expecting ‘A Spy Among Friends’”

What to Expect When We Are Expecting ‘A Spy Among Friends’ *CONSTANTLY UPDATED*

Kim Philby is arguably the most famous – or should I say infamous? – secret agent of all times. He may not be as well known as James Bond, but in contrast to 007, Philby was a real-life spy and the most successful member of the Cambridge Five, a group of spies recruited by the Russians to pass information from the UK to the Soviet Union during the Second World War through 1950s. A charming and brilliant Cambridge graduate, he quickly rose to the top of the counterintelligence unit at the MI6. He became the head of the anti-Soviet unit, served as the MI6 chief in Istanbul and ultimately became MI6’s Washington-based liaison with the CIA. Having his confidantes at MI6 and becoming close friends with James Angleton, a rising star at the CIA . While his betrayal got some of his colleagues into big trouble and took several Soviet defectors to their deaths, nobody suspected Philby for years. And when some at the MI5 flagged him, his colleagues at the MI6 and the CIA came to the rescue. When they finally had the evidence to confront him, Philby had already provided secret information to the Soviets for 30 years! Continue reading “What to Expect When We Are Expecting ‘A Spy Among Friends’ *CONSTANTLY UPDATED*”

Damian Lewis and My Homeland

If you have been following this blog for some time,  you certainly know about my obsession with Homeland and Brody in particular. And so you probably think this post is yet another one about my all-time favorite fictional character…

Well, you’re wrong! 🙂

This post is about Damian Lewis and My Homeland – the country that I was born and raised in: Turkey. I have been inspired to write this post in London this summer when Damian signed the set list I stole from the Omeara stage in Turkish:

“Tesekkur, Bahar.” (“Thanks, Bahar.”)

Continue reading “Damian Lewis and My Homeland”

Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis at Harvest Festival 2013

“Let’s gather as a band of one, in symphony across the land…” Henry Birtles, The Harvest

source: express.co.uk
source: express.co.uk

I would love to take us all today to a special Harvest service, organized by British Food Fortnight to rekindle the tradition of Harvest Festival, at the Westminster Abbey in 2013, an event that Damian Lewis does not only attend with family — as a foodie, I cannot think of anything better than celebrating food with family, no wonder Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! —   but also actively participates in the celebrations and has a conversation with the Duchess of Cornwall, who is also in attendance, about the whereabouts of one certain Nicholas Brody! 😀 Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis at Harvest Festival 2013”