Antrim singer Ciaran Lavery has teamed up with Galway singer Niamh Regan for her new single, Winter in Eden, which features on Niamh's forthcoming EP In the Meantime. We asked Ciaran the BIG questions . . .
Ciaran grew up in Aghagallon and has strived to break free from the preconceptions surrounding Irish singer-songwriters. In 2016, he was one of 30 artists hand-selected by Willie Nelson to play at his Luck Ranch in Texas.
Regan released her debut album Hemet in 2020, and it was nominated for both the RTE Folk Awards and the Choice Awards album of the year.
Winter in Eden was co-written by the two artists via Zoom. "It was interesting creating a whole song online," Niamh says. "Collaborating via Zoom and WhatsApp was surprisingly lovely for creating this song.
"Sending fragments of melodies, lyrics, ideas and patching them together in our own time felt really easy and I’m proud of what came out of this."
Ciaran adds "Winter in Eden is a song about the quiet and content time in a relationship between two people. There’s something beautiful about that mundanity.
"Typically, songs tackle the tumultuous ending or frightful beginnings of a couple. This was really fun to discuss the in-between period for a change."
Niamh tours Ireland and the UK this Spring and Ciaran joins her on stage as the special guest for her In the Meantime EP launch on Friday, March 4, at The Grand Social, Dublin.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I’m a sensitive soul that enjoys Hugh Grant movies.
I have been compared to Damien Rice so many times that I once believed that I actually was him, but I was then denied access to the backstage area, so that was that.
When I was growing up we weren’t permitted red or brown sauce on the table for Sunday dinner.
How would you describe your music?
Uncomfortable nostalgia for people with regrets.
Who are your musical inspirations?
John Grant, Niamh Regan, Chet Baker, Nina Simone, Mitski, Johnny Hartman.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
First gig - Turin Brakes (Fionn Regan supporting). This is also where I had my first alcoholic drink.
First CD single - Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden. I already had a tumultuous relationship with my older brother, who I shared a room with at the time. This incessant playing of the song pushed it to the brink.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Square Eyed Boy by Anthony Toner.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The buttons on your collar, the colour of your hair, I think I see you everywhere". Mid Air by Paul Buchanan.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings by Squirrel Flower.
Where can people find your music/more information?
If you want to follow me, but don’t know where I live, you can find me here - Instagram: @ciaranlavery. Twitter: @ciaran_lavery. TikTok: ciaranlaveryofficial. Facebook: @ciaranlaverymusic.
