Damian Clarke is a UK folk musician and the founder of the rock/trad folk band Pressgang. He also performs solo and works in the acoustic trio Humstrum with Marco Neumann and Horst Vogelsang.

Solo work

Clarke releases a solo album, The River Wherever, in 2008. It is his first solo CD and is performed entirely on hurdy gurdy and hammered dulcimer, instruments he plays in addition to his work with Pressgang. George, Tony and Cliff from Pressgang appear on some tracks, as does Marco from OffLimits.

The album is fully acoustic and shows a different side of his performing style. It also reflects his interest in songs from regional cultures, with material sung in Breton and Plat Deutsch.

Humstrum

After The River Wherever, Clarke forms Humstrum with Marco from OffLimits and Horst from Wortsatia. The trio uses a wide range of instruments between them, including two hurdy gurdies, dulcimer, whistles, flutes, didgeridoo, bodhran and guitar. Their repertoire also explores other languages, including southern Swedish, Macedonian and Friesian.

Instruments and performance

Clarke is associated with hammered dulcimer and hurdy gurdy. He also performs She Moves Through the Fair, which is described as one of his most popular wedding and handfasting pieces.