Troubadour’s emotive tribute to adopted home of Kinvara

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

Declan O’Rourke has spent the bulk of the last two years honing his latest project – a stripped back and emotive ten-track LP that serves, at least in part, as a love letter to the Dubliner’s adopted home of Kinvara. The acclaimed singer-songwriter’s seventh studio album comes two years after his last release. It is bolstered by the production and guidance of Paul Weller, who has long been vocal in his support of Declan’s songwriting, and it sees the Dubliner at his raw and moving best.

Arrivals is set for release on April 9. Though it is laced with subtle flicks of production that enhance the atmosphere, this is an album that will massively appeal to fans of Declan’s solo performances. It is delicate and intimate from start to finish, balancing personal and political themes over intricate acoustic guitar.

“I probably do about 80% of my shows by myself,” he suggests.

“At the end of the year or when you have a new record out, you generally put a band together and go on tour but a lot of the in between gigs are just me and I love that space. I’m very comfortable there. I love writing in that space. I love finding a nice room in a house or a stairwell and just sitting and playing.

“The way the sound comes back to you is so pure – it’s a very warm place to be. The more you add on top of that, the less you hear sometimes. The songs were presenting themselves that way and I’ve never indulged in that before. I always wanted to and some of my favourite records are made like that. It felt like it was the right time.”

Declan is quick to recognise Paul’s impact on the project. He has long expressed his admiration for Declan’s songwriting and their collaboration on Arrivals includes multi-instrumental cameos from the producer. The album was recorded over six days in Surrey but the two have spent much of the last two years structuring and organising the LP.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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