Meet Damien Duque | Ambient Musician / Sound Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Damien Duque and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Damien, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I have two quotes that I resonate with and providing reassurance.

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” – Albert Camus

“All conditioned things are impermanent” – when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.” – Buddha

What I like about Albert Camus quote is the belief that even in the darkest and most challenging times of our lives, there is a source of strength, light, and hope within us that enables us to endure and overcome obstacles. This journey of facing adversity also allows us to delve deeper into self-discovery.

Similarly, the wisdom in The Buddha’s teaching about impermanence resonates with me. It reminds us that all things are temporary. It is the understanding that nothing in life is permanent or fixed, and that everything is in a constant state of flux. Both of these quotes serve as a meditative reflections and reassurances during tough situations. They offer comforting reminder that difficult times are temporary, and within us lies the potential for unexpected outcomes at the end of the road.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create ambient music and go under my solo moniker “City Of Dawns” My art also advocates for people within the Autism Spectrum.

For myself, my music is a way of dealing with occasional anxiety attacks, depression, and Insomnia and through it, I share my experience as a person with Asperger’s Syndrome (High Functioning Autism). Any City Of Dawn album will invite you into a meditational estate that is self-exploring, which journey teaches us, can lead toward healing. Healing from our often cluttered mind, which is like the noise that surrounds us, disorganized and arbitrary, and helps us align, whence discover meaning and what he calls ‘Stillness”. Quietness, Silence, and Tranquility.

My mission is to spread awareness and acceptance of autism and has a goal; that people under the Autism Spectrum can do unique things and that Autism doesn’t define, each individual defines Autism and themselves. Because it’s not a disability, but rather a different ability. My music is a testimony that Autism doesn’t stop me from reaching my success and also it brings a listening experience that is transcendent. I love to bring listeners together to meditate and experience the sounds.

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All have received global airplay and several tracks are in rotation on the SXM Spa channel.

I wasn’t totally expecting to reach a milestone of listeners from around the world and see my music in Airlines, Satellite radio and plus share stages with other ambient artists that I adore. I would say it’s not easy, but it’s all matter of luck, I suppose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Deep South Texas, I have some favorite spots where I like to spend my free time with friends. I enjoy an occasional adult beverage, and when I’m in the mood for that, I head to University Draft House or any local brewery for their selection of beers on tap. I also frequent visit local coffee shops, like Kreative Grounds Cafe, where I can enjoy a unique blend of coffee and art, their latte is delicious. Additionally, I love visiting local Mexican restaurants, including food trucks, to try their delicious and unique street tacos. So it usually depends on the mood what we felt at the moment , but guaranteed a place to visit

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give a shoutout to my family & friends who stuck around and support me at whatever possible or direction during the journey and also to many listeners as well!

Website: https://cityofdawnmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityofdawnmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityOfDawn

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/CityofDawnMusic/?ref=bookmarks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckPPfeEr3D0Ew701uWhdqw

Other: BANDCAMP: https://cityofdawn.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
@Camerafino @Ruthi Hedge @ Damien Duque