Peasant (artist)

Peasant was the stage name of Damien DeRose (September 23, 1985 - November 18, 2015), an American songwriter, singer, and producer. Described by media as a more optimistic version of Elliott Smith, Peasant toured extensively in both Europe and the US, sharing the stage with acts such as Cursive, Dr. Dog, Horse Feathers, Dan Mangan, Delta Spirit, Rocky Votolato, Sharon Van Etten, Chris Pureka, Hop Along, Illinois, Albert Hammond, Jr., Liz Green and many others.^[2]

Biography

Damien Nicholas DeRose grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, a small town where he began writing and recording in his bedroom in high school.^[3] He first toured the greater part of the U.S. in 2005 as a solo artist. The following year, he self-released his first collection of recordings, Fear Not Distant Lover; and toured the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Upon returning home, Peasant toured the U.S. a second time, and ended in Canada for Montreal’s 2006 Popfest. Soon after the Popfest, he signed his first official record deal with Paper Garden Records and began recording On The Ground with Paul and Ryan Cobb (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club et al.) ‘The Cobbs’.

On the Ground was released in 2008 on Paper Garden Records.^[4] The album was distributed through Conor Oberst’s label, Team Love. In 2009, Peasant recorded a Daytrotter Session and was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered blog "Second Stage" ^{[magazine 1]} In addition to being featured on Bones, two songs from On The Ground, "Fine is Fine" and "Those Days," were featured on ABC’s Kyle XY; and "Fine is Fine" was featured on Showtime’s United States of Tara.

In 2010, Peasant released his 3rd album, Shady Retreat, which was entirely recorded on his own and had songs from it featured on a number of network shows, including ABC's Private Practice.

In 2012, Peasant released Bound for Glory on Schnitzel Records. Shortly after, MTV featured Peasant’s ‘Amends’ on its Stop/Watch program, where DeRose debuted his band at MTV's Time Square Studio. The newly-formed live band appeared on BBC Radio with Marc Riley while on tour in the UK and sold out shows across the continent from Zurich to London. Music from Bound for Glory has also been used by NBC’s Parenthood, CBS’s The Good Wife and, again, Private Practice.

In August 2013, DeRose was arrested on multiple burglary and drug charges in connection with a string of home break ins on Martha's Vineyard, MA.^[5] On September 27, 2013 he pleaded guilty in Edgartown district court to stealing more than $85,000 dollars worth of jewelry and other items. He was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration to be followed by four years of probation. Mr. Derose also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and was sentenced to six months to be served concurrently with his other sentences.^[6]

DeRose died in November 2015 after being in a coma for over two weeks.^[7]

Discography

Albums

• Fear Not Distant Lover (self-released, September 2005)
• On the Ground (Paper Garden Records, March 2008)
• Shady Retreat (Paper Garden Records, March 2010)
• Bound for Glory (Schnitzel Records, April 2012)

EPs

• The Wind (That Works Records, June 2006)
• Free Sides (self-released, June 2011)

References