How long does it take to write a song? That’s a bit like asking how long is a piece of string. There was a famous conversation in which Leonard Cohen told Bob Dylan that “Hallelujah” took a few years to write, whereupon Dylan responded that one of his songs, which Cohen had said he liked, … Read More

Sidewinder was seen as a Dunboyne band, although only one of the band actually lived there. We did, however, rehearse in a shed beside his house, out the country a bit from the village. That was how I came to know Dunboyne, and a little seed was planted in my mind that eventually saw me … Read More

Hot Press has been the bible for Irish music, going right back to my first time around the block, forty years ago; and Jackie Hayden is a legend in his own right, not least as the man who signed U2 to their first record deal. So, when Jackie Hayden gives An Irish Life such a … Read More

I’m just an ordinary guy…I watch a bit of football, play a bit of music – my life is ordinary in every way, apart from the aliens who communicate with the world through voices in my head. Now they’ve planted a song, fully-formed, in my brain and insisted I release it as a single. You … Read More

In a very crowded market, it’s hard for independent Irish singer-songwriters to get their work reviewed, but one person who has been doing great work in helping to plug the gap is Liam Oragh. Liam is a talented singer-songwriter himself but he also has a real gift for writing, and you’ll find loads of well-crafted … Read More

I’ve made a little video for Shooting Stars as a Christmas wish for everyone who’s taken an interest in my music. It’s just over a year since I started this wonderful journey, back on a road that I had left so many years ago. Practically everyone who has shared any part of the journey with … Read More

It’s not that time of the year already, is it? The annual frenzy of Christmas shopping is underway, and once again you’re wondering where you’ll find something a bit different for friends and relations. Fortunately, Tommy Keyes has the perfect solution and at a bargain price. All three Tommy Keyes albums (which usually retail at … Read More

The age-old advice to “write about what you know” has guided many of my songs, especially those on An Irish Life. The song to which it most applies is my new single Souvenirs. I hope you like the wonderful video which Peter Salisbury created for the song. A few years ago, my eldest daughter went … Read More

I know we’re a dwindling group, but, like many others, I’ve had a Friday ritual for more years than I care to remember. At some stage during the day, I find my way to the record store and check out the new releases, which always hit the shelves on a Friday. There are fewer and … Read More

I will be playing a short set at the Leap Sessions in the Salmon Leap Inn, Leixlip on Tuesday 9 August. This is a really good fortnightly session which showcases singer-songwriters. There are usually about five acts per session and the quality is very high – almost all are recording artistes and many use the … Read More