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Halfway to a gig last year, Damon suddenly found his drummer, his saxophonist and himself upside-down, facing the wrong direction on I-5, following a tire blowout that resulted in their touring van rolling several times. The scene was littered with glass and band equipment. "I found my vocal mic out in the middle of the freeway. I knew right then, once and for all, that music was what I was supposed to be doing. The mic still works; I still sing on it every show."

Like their gear, the bandmates were beat up but undaunted. "I wanted to play even more that night. We were trying to figure out a way to make the shows, but the tow truck driver talked us out of it, right before he hauled the wreck away."

Born and raised in California, Damon fell in love with music early, receiving his first guitar at age 7 when his mother took him and twin brother, Dominic, down to the local guitar shop. There was this sweet old lady named Marge; her store was called Guitar Party. We had these group lessons with a bunch of other kids. I can still play a rockin rendition of Puff the Magic Dragon!

Mom kept the boys in lessons, and they reciprocated by filling the garage up with their signature blend of teenage noise. What Damon didnt realize then, was that his mothers Jazz and R&B albums and his older brothers Punk and Reggae hand-me-downs were influencing how he made music. Out of high school at last, Damon chased these inspirations all the way to Boston, honing his Jazz chops at Berklee College of Music. But in between those countless hours of woodshedding with his guitar and a Real Book, Damon would steal time to write a pop song. Theres nothing like the improvisational freedom that Jazz offers, but I have always been mesmerized by the beauty of a perfectly crafted song.

On his return to Californias Central Coast, Damon set to work writing more of these from-the-heart songs and finding the musicians to help him play them right. The search soon led him to the jazz scene in and around San Luis Obispo, where he met a bass player named Matt. Damon had found a kindred spirit, Matts chops and sensibilities absolutely floored me.

Before long, the two assembled the rest of the band: drummer Jennings Jacobsen, saxophonist Larry Kim, and keyboardist Kristian Ducharme. The lineup established, Damon set about constructing their sound and a busy schedule of performances and recording. Smooth sailing was not to be, however, as the band suffered most serious heartbreak with the loss of Matt Taylor, bassist extraordinaire and faithful friend. The band was devastated. When Matt told me he had cancer, I couldnt believe it. He was so young and so alive. We were all fans of his before we were a band together. His life was and is an inspiration for how and why we made and continue to make music.

Determined to carry on, Damon and his band, now with the considerable assistance of bassist Brian Lanzone, rededicated themselves to developing their sound. Hard work and a relentless passion for their craft are easily apparent in the intensity of the show, which moves effortlessly from intimacy to fury, and back again.

Recently released EP Revolving Door introduces the rest of the world to an artist whose talent and charisma are already well known to his fans. The five-song collection is a remarkably accomplished effort, offering the same combination of raw emotion and polished songcrafting that initially drew hometown fans to the singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer's live shows.

Currently, Damon and his band are working on the follow-up to Revolving Door in their studio in San Luis Obispo, CA. It is obvious, even in the rough mixes, that Damon Castillo is an artist coming into his own. Expect to love it.

Damon and the band have some new wheels for the next tour. After the accident, Larry took a picture of the wreck. We now have a commemorative van crash T-shirt that the fans really love.

Dont expect a follow-up.

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