Damian Fowler — Writer, Editor, Musician

I am the author of the non-fiction book Falling Through Clouds—A Story of Survival, Love, and Liability, published by St. Martin’s Press in April 2014. It tells the true story of a young father’s fight to survive a small plane crash that killed his wife, badly injured his two daughters, and thrust him into a David-vs-Goliath legal battle with a multi-billion-dollar insurance company.

In addition to my writing, I am the co-founder and lead songwriter of the indie rock band The Secret Radio, which released its debut album Shortwave in 2025. The record revives songs first written and performed in New York City, reworked with fresh energy and new collaborators for a new generation of listeners.

I grew up in York, England, and graduated from St. Hugh’s College, Oxford with a B.A. in English Literature. After moving to New York City, I earned a master’s degree at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Since 1998, I’ve reported widely on American culture. I spent more than a decade as a New York–based reporter and producer for the BBC, covering major stories including the September 11 attacks, the Northeast blackout of 2003, the trial of Michael Jackson, and three presidential elections.

I have worked as a freelance contributor to major outlets on both sides of the Atlantic, including the BBC, The Guardian, and Vanity Fair, with a focus on the classical arts, culture, and compelling human-interest stories.

I also serve as Editorial Director at The Current, a media platform launched by The Trade Desk, where I oversee coverage of innovation, technology, and the future of advertising.

Photo by Hollis Johnson