Amen Dunes

Damon Duell McMahon, born in Philadelphia in 1980, is an American indie rock musician known primarily for his musical project, Amen Dunes, formed in 2006 in New York City. McMahon’s early life and education include growing up in Weston, Connecticut, and attending Swarthmore College, where he studied Chinese as an English Literature and Performance double major. Before Amen Dunes, McMahon was involved with the short-lived NYC group Inouk, which released the EP “Search For The Bees” and the full-length album “No Danger” in 2004. He also recorded a solo album titled “Mansions” in 2006 under his own name with Astralwerks.

Amen Dunes released its debut album, “D.I.A.,” in 2009 under Locust Music, establishing McMahon’s unique musical style. The project continued to evolve with releases such as “Through Donkey Jaw” (2011) and “Love” (2014) on Sacred Bones Records. A significant milestone in the project’s history was the 2018 album “Freedom,” which garnered widespread positive reviews, with Pitchfork describing it as McMahon’s “euphoric breakthrough.” This album featured collaborations with artists like Parker Kindred, Jordi Wheeler, Delicate Steve, and Panoram, and was produced by Chris Coady at Electric Lady Studios and Sunset Sound.

McMahon’s career with Amen Dunes culminated in 2024 with the release of “Death Jokes” and a remix album, “Death Jokes II,” simultaneously announcing the conclusion of the Amen Dunes project. Throughout his career, McMahon has been noted for his experimental recording methods, applying tape manipulation, analog processing, and DIY studio techniques. His recent work on “Death Jokes” notably involved leveraging software like Ableton Live at home, reflecting a commitment to his creative vision despite industry pressures. McMahon has resided in various locations including Los Angeles, Taiwan, Nanjing, Beijing, and currently Brooklyn, demonstrating a diverse range of influences on his work.