Having already supported Irish artist Kevin Quigley on his last single ‘Soul Sold’, we couldn’t help but sit down with him in the wake of his follow up track ‘No Pain’. We love his sound, so be sure to check it out at the bottom of the page!
Tell us about yourself as an artist?
I’m a Singer / Songwriter based in Cork and I record, produce and mix all my own music. My music blends intimate country folk with rock influences, drawing inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan, Glen Hansard, Eddie Vedder, Tom Petty and R.E.M. My journey so far has taken me through acclaimed venues such as Whelans, Connollys of Leap, Cyprus Avenue, Coughlans, Kavanaghs, and The Whitehorse, sharing stages with acts like Hermitage Green, The Pale, Ispíní na hÉireann, Corner Boy, and The Burma. I hope my songs take listeners on a captivating journey, shifting from raw emotional solo performances to foot-stomping rock supported by my band.
What got you into music?
I feel like music always held a strong presence in my life. The ancient old tradition of the Irish sing song and the family sessions were definitely a subconscious inspiration for me as a child and influenced me in the path I’ve chosen. My Father played guitar and sang as a hobby and I grew up listening to him singing great Irish songs and also great American country songs by the likes of John Prine, Tom Russell, Kris Kristofferson etc. The first time I heard “Blowing in the Wind” by Bob Dylan it left a massive impact on me and definitely inspired me to write music.
How would you describe your sound?
Heartfelt and real with a unique blend of Country folk and Indie Rock. I try to make my music feel genuine and relatable. I try to tell the truth and express the inner conflict of the human heart, whether it’s a happy, funny, sad or an angry song etc. I try to be real and aim for the heart in whatever it is I’m trying to say.
What is your favourite venue to play?
We’re lucky in Ireland that we have so many magical venues spread across the country. Unfortunately however, a lot of them are really struggling to survive due to the current economic climate and I feel it’s important that we support these venues for the good of our amazing music culture. That being said, I would say The Whitehorse and Coughlans in Cork and the upstairs venue in Whelans are very special, especially when the energy in the room is solid and on point. I haven’t had a chance to perform in De Barras in Clonakilty yet but it’s definitely on the bucket list!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
There is an awesome artist from Nashville in America who’s making a lot of waves at the moment called Laney Jones. Her songs are so unique and really awesome! I feel like my sound and style are on a very similar wavelength and I’d love to have a chance to collab with her in the future!
What is your creative process, and do you think it differs from others?
The creative process is different for me for almost every song. Sometimes a lyric will come to my mind first and I build from there, sometimes it could be a riff or sometimes I can even write the bassline first! But a lot of the time it just starts with me jamming on an acoustic guitar and words and melody start to flow. So I’d say I’m different from most in that I don’t have much of a routine to my creative process. In fact, starting from a different place and being inspired from random sources gives me a lot of energy and creative stimulation!
What is special about this song to you?
“No Pain” is a song that explores the bittersweet nature of human existence. I hoped to try and capture the essence of life’s highs and lows, acknowledging that pain, though difficult, is an integral part of personal growth. The song’s message is rooted in the belief that adversity can be a catalyst for renewal and resilience. I feel it’s an important thought process and conversation that people at the moment aren’t having as often as they should. Everybody will suffer in life but it’s important to not give up and to always remember there’s always a tomorrow and nothing lasts forever.
