Long-time fan Paul Weller has produced Galway singer Declan O'Rourke’s forthcoming album, Arrivals, which is due out in February.
O’Rourke is making his return after two years with what is being called "the most emotionally raw and affecting album of his career."
The new album was recorded over six days at Black Barn studios in Surrey, with Weller behind the desk, and speaking about working with the former Jam and Style Council front man, O’Rourke said, "He was there every moment, before, during and long after, discussing ideas about this and that, even down to the artwork. It was hugely impressive."
Weller, a fan of Declan’s song writing for some years, once singled out the Galway man’s 2004 song Galileo as the song he wished he’d written.
Join Declan on his official YouTube channel at 8.00pm tonight to watch the video for his new song The Harbour. He will be answering questions in the comments box
As well as producing Arrivals, he also added his multi-instrumental talents to the recordings, including a piano accompaniment to the closing track.
The first track from the new album, The Harbour, is out now and Arrivals is released on February 5, 2021.
Speaking about the new album, O'Rourke says, "I recently played Arrivals to a cousin of mine. She used to come and see me all the time in the early days when I’d play - just me and the guitar - at open mic nights.
"This album, she said, led her to feel that in many ways people were going to hear me for the first time. That made a lot of sense to me."
The singer added that he has always been guided by family in his work.
"It’s at the heart of everything for me," he says. "I know situations for some people are different, but for myself, family is the well, the source. When all is said and done, your family and those around you are the most important things in the world."
