Trillick singer-songwriter and musician Odhran Sweeney has just released his debut EP, ‘Greetings & Salutations’.

Here he speaks to The Impartial Reporter about his songwriting process, what releasing his debut EP means to him, and what the rest of 2023 holds.

How would you describe your sound?

I think I would describe my sound as a Folk/Rock style of music.

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

The genre I enjoy playing most is Folk/Rock because that’s where I can express my own musicality.

I also play piano, and I love playing pieces of music from film soundtracks.

How long have you been performing?

I’ve been performing gigs for about five years

Where do you perform?

I perform in The Spirit Store bar in Trillick, Co. Tyrone where I live, which is a brilliant venue for traditional Irish music.

I also perform in Blakes of the Hollow in Enniskillen (I feel like I’m betraying my own here – sorry, ha ha!) accompanied by my sister, Moya Sweeney, on the accordion.

What has been your biggest gig, to date?

The biggest gig I’ve played at was the Irish Youth Music Awards at Croke Park in Dublin in 2019.

I really enjoyed that gig because I was able to see and meet other musicians from all over Ireland.

Any funny gig stories?

I wouldn’t say it’s a funny gig story, but a rather peculiar one. This guy came up to me and asked if I would play ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica.

I was a Heavy Metal kid with red Sony headphones, and listened to Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Metallica, so I was happy to play his request.

I played the song, and suddenly he and his girlfriend started slow dancing in front of me.

That, to me, was funny but beautiful as I never got that reaction before.

What is your favourite song to play and why?

When we gig in Blake’s, we perform our rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’, where she would perform an Irish reel on her accordion as an instrumental break in the middle of the song.

I really like performing that song because it was our own version, and also it showcased both of our musical techniques and abilities.

That’s what I love and thrive to do when I am performing.

Who are your major influences?

My major influences include The Beatles, Paul Brady, Jeff Buckley, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, Jackson Browne, John Lennon, James Taylor, Peter Gabriel ... I’d love to mention loads more, but this would be a very long column!

My father, Paul Sweeney, and grandfather, Brendan Sweeney, who are both guitarists, are also my musical influences.

I understand that you write your own songs. What inspires your songwriting?

My songwriting is inspired by what I feel. Whether I’d be feeling grateful, overjoyed, angry, sad, or struggling, in order to get these feelings out of my system, I would write a few words down which will later develop into a song.

What is your songwriting process?

I would normally have the music first, whether it be a simple riff or progression on the guitar or piano (after so many teeth-pulling hours).

The lyrics are without doubt the most difficult. Once it all comes together, I’ll eventually have peace!

You have launched your debut EP, ‘Greetings & Salutations’. What does this mean to you?

I recorded and released this EP with Peter Doherty as part of my final year placement at Ulster University Magee, where I’m studying Music.

It has always been my dream to release my own music to the world, and this EP is the beginning of a new journey for me.

I am very excited for people all over the world to be able to listen to this EP and connect with my own music.

What inspired the title of the EP?

I always like to use funny and unusual catchphrases when I speak. Greetings and Salutations was just something I used to say out of the blue.

When I was recording the songs, the phrase came back to me, and I thought there’s definitely a meaning and intent behind this title.

It shows that I am inviting each listener into my own world of music.

What would be your dream gig?

Big headline gigs such as Glastonbury would probably be a dream come true for me.

My ears will be deafened by the sound of screaming in the crowd, but I think I’d enjoy it.

The Cavern Club, where my favourite band, The Beatles, performed nearly 62 years ago, would also be a good one.

As long as people are listening to my music and are happy, then I’m happy.

Best moment as a musician so far?

The best moment as a musician so far for me was recording this EP.

What is your ‘go-to’ encore song?

Every gig I play the final song which some people request me to play would be the Irish Folk classic, ‘Arthur McBride’.

What’s the best thing about performing?

Seeing people really enthused by my stage presence and performance style.

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

At the moment, I perform solo, but in the future, I would like to form a band.

What does the rest of 2023 hold for you?

Firstly, I want to finish my music degree and graduate. Then hopefully gig in other venues, continue recording and build my profile as a singer/songwriter.

Any last words?

“You could be packed up and ready, knowing exactly where to go, how come you missed the connection? No use in asking the answer is nobody knows” – Paul Brady.

Odhran Sweeney’s debut EP, ‘Greetings & Salutations’, is available to stream now on all platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, etc.