Galway singer combines student life with stage stardom

Mention the surname ‘Jackson’ in a musical context and you think of Michael – certainly not a ginger-haired singing teenager from Galway!

But prepare yourself for a new Jackson storming up the charts; Daniel Jackson, a 19-year-old, second year student, studying Music, Media and Performance Technology in UL.

BY PATRICK EARLEY

Born and raised in Abbeyknockmoy, Daniel – or Dan as he’s known – comes across like any ordinary teenager with his bubbly personality and bright outlook on life, but he possesses a skill few can only dream of mastering.

He began playing guitar aged seven when he went for his first lessons but didn’t have much interest in music at the time.

He spent a bit of time playing the drums before going for more lessons at the age of ten.

“It wasn’t until I started secondary school that I really took an interest in the guitar and didn’t start singing until second year,” he said.

He began participating in talent competitions before setting up a band with his friend Dylan Keane in late 2013 and played his first gig in the band aptly named Dan & Dylan in March the following year.

Dan & Dylan play different venues and events every weekend as well as writing their own songs and last year, released their first album “Move.”

In spite of his success, Dan doesn’t believe in talent. He attributes his success to his love for music, his willingness to put his name out there and the countless hours of practice and preparation they put in.

“You can be good at anything if you practice. Music is skill, not talent,” he added.

Despite his love of music however, Dan is unsure of what sort of future he has in the industry.

“It’s a tough business to get in to and it is something that requires your full attention in order to have a chance of being successful.”

He is grateful to music for some memorable moments like playing at weddings, where he can create lifelong memories for couples, but hopes to come back from his co-op work, beginning in January, with a different perspective on what the future holds.

Like most success stories however, it hasn’t always been plain sailing.

At the age of 16, whilst playing a rugby shield final for Creggs RFC, Dan was tackled and put his arms out behind his head to release the ball.

An opposing player proceeded to jump over the ruck to try win the ball, landing on Dan’s arm, snapping it above the elbow.

He recalls the pain and the trip to the hospital vividly. “The coach thought I had a dead arm and asked me to play on but I told him I couldn’t,” he said.

“I had to go to the hospital holding my arm as there was no sling and once the shock wore off, the pain was excruciating,” he added.

He was over six months out of the game and off stage but thankfully has come back better than ever and is having his most successful year on-stage yet.

In October, he supported Mark McCabe in The Stables in UL and is an active member of the UL Music Society, where last year he acted as lead singer for the Music Society’s band.

He continues to perform every weekend in Galway – and with no plans to slow down for the minute, for Dan & Dylan, the sky’s the limit.