Omagh singer-songwriter Dermott Taggart, a familiar face on the Fermanagh gig scene, is releasing his new single 'Find it all' on September 24. Ahead of its launch, Dermott spoke to The Impartial Reporter about his life as a musician, what inspires his songwriting and his plans for the future.

How would you describe your sound?

I'm forever changing my sound but I'm working on going from a singer-songwriter style to a more Folk-Pop sound

What genre/genres of music do you most enjoy playing?

I play everything from sad songs to happy songs and everything in-between. If you get me at the right time you might even get a rap out of me.

How long have you been performing?

I've been doing this now for 10 years in the bar scene but haven't released any of my own music in about that long.

Where do you perform?

I've played all over the place, I've had gigs in Ireland, England, Portugal, Switzerland, France and Belgium.

What is your favourite song to play and why?

It has to be an original one of mine called 'Crumble'. It's the fan favourite and it's quality seeing everyone singing your own tune back to you.

What has been your biggest gig to date?

I played at a festival in Newquay called Boardmasters. That was a quality gig and I met some pretty cool musicians at that as well.

Any funny gig stories?

I was playing a gig in Switzerland and someone from the crowd had asked to play a song. I obliged and got him up to sing, he was getting a little carried away and trying to essentially steal the show and all of a sudden he tripped from the stage and went flying into a speaker that was sitting off stage. He broke the guitar and I had to pull the gig. I wasn't even bothered, I'm a tickler for a good fall and I was in tears laughing, he was okay in the end.

Who are your major influences?

I loved Elton John from a young age strangely and that got me deep into music, I draw inspiration now from artists like Foy Vance, Bruce Springsteen and just about every musician I've met or worked with.

What inspires your songwriting?

Moments in life, different challenges and characters I meet along the way. It all plays a role in the words I'm writing down from my mind. I'm forever thinking of new melodies and writing and recording lyrics. During a meal I might run off to the bathroom and voice note a verse or a chorus idea of a song I've either been working on or something new or even just humming a melody into the phone.

Can you tell me about your single that is to be released on September 24?

My new single is called 'Find it all' and it's about losing someone but also saying at the same time 'you do you'. It's written from that perspective in mind but it's not a sad song. I've started recording another few as well. All the songs are being co-produced by Matt McGlinn and Adam Booth and both lads are doing a great job on it so far. I've also collaborated with a local artist called Paul Crozier. I'm using his art as the artwork on my singles and I'm buzzing about that.

What would be your dream gig?

I'd love to support Foy Vance in Belfast or Dublin. His music is what started my passion for song writing.

Best moment as a musician so far?

I think it's being able to play at festivals and rub shoulders with some big acts and get meeting a lot of cool people like that.

What is the most unusual venue you have played?

I've played in some amazing places but I've also played in some strange places. I played in a hut up in the French Alps one time and that one just turned into a wild party. I've never really had any bad experiences.

What is your ‘go-to’ encore song?

It has to be one of my own songs that I wrote 10 years ago. It's called 'Crumble' and it's usually the most requested song of my night. I usually save it until the end.

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

I mix it up but mostly I play solo. I'll be getting a band sorted this year in order to play my original stuff. I have the fellas on board already so I'm just focusing myself on getting the music out for the rest of the year. I have a 10 year back log of songs to record and I'm really excited about getting them out and letting people hear them.

Any last words?

I made the most of lockdown and it made me slow down from my usual overload of gigs and I found the passion in my own music again. I've met so many big musicians over the period of 10 years, I've sang with some and I've partied with others but every time I've come away with something that has helped my writing and has helped me grow as a musician. I'm aiming for an album in 2022 and I'm on the right track for it.