How would you describe your sound?

People have described my sound as deep, powerful and raspy. I'm my own worst critic so I'll have to trust their judgement!

What genre/genres do you consider your music to be?

Mostly Folk would be my genre of choice. It's a nice balance of upbeat and happy which kind of suits me and what I'm about.

How long have you been performing?

I done my first gig when I was 14, playing the drums for a punk band. Then I took to the guitar, playing in a band called Wasted Grace at around 16 years old and then I started gigging solo professionally when I was 17, so roughly seven to eight years performing. It all started in The Devenish beer garden, a summer many in the town will remember as one of the best summers yet!

Where do you perform?

Worldwide! Sydney Australia, Belfast, Ios (Greek Island), Omagh, Madrid, Dublin, Aberdeen, Indiana (America), Lisbon, Porto... The list goes on! I've been trying my best to take on any opportunities no matter what the location. I'm currently performing in a Ski Resort Village called St. Anton in Austria where I will remain until April then I will travel to Greece for the summer months. Offers and future opportunities of Japan, Dubai and Thailand are on the cards but nothing confirmed as of yet!

What is your favourite song to play and why?

This answer changes by the week but my current favourite song to play is 'Call Me Al' by Paul Simon because I have good fun building up the song on my loop station, putting the different parts and voices together such as the percussion, bass line, melody etc.

What has been your biggest gig to date?

St. Patrick's day 2019 in PJ O'Briens, Sydney. Without a doubt the most amazing gig of my life and such a huge reaction from a massive audience. It was just me, my guitar, my loop station and about 200 people. When everyone cheered so loud after my final song I've never felt so good, I was reduced to tears.

Any funny gig/rehearsal stories?

My first gig with the Wasted Grace lads in The Three Way Inn was on my birthday night, March 6. We weren't expecting 10 people to show as it was out of town and we were just a young band with big dreams but then on the night over 100 people showed up and it was huge! Filled the place!

Who are your major influences?

I don't really have any individual major influences. I'm mostly influenced by people who are self-driven to create their own success using talents they are naturally born with or have worked hard for. Anyone who is using music, be it teaching or performance, and can use this to finance their lives desires truly influence me.

Do you write your own songs? What inspires your songwriting?

I'm currently writing my first original EP. It's hard to find my own sound and put that out there. I find it easy with lyrics but putting the right music to the words is difficult.

What would be your dream gig?

My dream gig would be a Jools Holland style television show so I could interview musicians and share some stories and conversation then play a song or two together. Every musician has got great stories to tell. I'm not too bothered about the big stage and 100,000 people in an audience. If that happens, happy days.

Best moment as a musician so far?

Apart from Paddy's day in Sydney, when I was performing in Ios, Greece we had musical moments of genius happening almost every day. Playing alongside a professional saxophone player with a guy banging on a cajon (an acoustic drum) and three part harmonies happening, including two male vocals and one female singer. When all this was put together it was truly an epic moment and nothing beat that feeling.

What is the most unusual venue you have played?

I sang for a lovely man and woman's wedding ceremony in The Shelbourne Hotel in the heart of Dublin. The ceremony happened in room 112, the same room the Irish Constitution was drafted.

What is your ‘go-to’ encore song?

This really depends on what songs/genres the audience reacted best to during the rest of the gig. But I usually keep 'Call Me Al' for last as I would remix a few different songs together for it and it always gets the crowd singing along to the melody!

What's the best thing about performing?

Connecting with everyone no matter their language, wealth, social status, sexuality or beliefs. It's my universal conversation. I've had some people come to me and tell me that my gig was a highlight of their week and their chance to socialise and put aside their usual personal problems with mingling so it's a great reward knowing I can help people overcome personal things like that.

Do you always perform solo or do you also play with a band?

At the moment I'm playing five nights a week as a two-piece, me and a cajon drummer. Normally my gig would be solo, me and my loop station, but luckily I've met a solid base of musicians now and have the options to play both solo and with a band. We will have a saxophone player joining us in the coming weeks also!

What does 2020 hold for you?

Big things are coming in 2020! A new business concept I'm introducing to Enniskillen, Belfast and beyond! This project will also take place in some of Northern Ireland's most popular student venues! This doesn't involve any guitars or singing for me and will be in partnership internationally, but is still all based on having fun, great music and the best nightlife entertainment so I'm very excited to see what happens and I'm very excited to bring this to my hometown!

Any last words?

If anyone reading this, young or old, have any interest in music and live performance, keep practicing and don't give up, go do it! Whether it's at an open mic night, on a stage or in the living room to your family. If I can do it, so can you. If you have a voice then sing, if you have a talent then perform. Fair play to the fellow 'giggers' who are putting their self out there and going for it, please give your best support and compliments to anyone and everyone who's out doing it.