Kilkenny based singer/songwriter Gary O'Neill has released his new single, Petals. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The first single from his debut EP, which will be released later this spring, Petals is a song about living abroad, missing family. It is an ode to Gary's mother and grandmother and their hopes that he would return home someday.
Gary started playing guitar at the young age of 14, thought by his father teaching him a few basic chords, and went on to being entirely self-thought and began writing his own music.
"I played in different bands growing up and wrote lots of music for my old teenage band, Alka Jessie," he says.
"I think if I looked back on all of that work I would cringe at the thought of it. But we were so young. Everyone back then was a rock band, and this was our attempt at some progressive, folk outfit that cared more about what the story of a song could tell over the performance of it."
He adds, "I was heavily influenced by John Martyn. He changed the landscape, for me, of what it meant to be a guitarist. Free-formed, unusual open tunings- they were melodic and inimitable.
"He wavered the line between this wild, eccentric, comical entertainer - who was simultaneously a thoughtful, clever, passionate and romantic songwriter. The contrast was so intriguing to me."
Tell us three things about yourself?
I'm a singer-songwriter/musician. I wrote my first song when I was 10, I still have a copy. It was theatrically entitled You're Not My Friend Anymore. I was born in Kilkenny, lived in Canada for nearly three years. Supporter of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.
How would you describe your music?
Folky, I suppose. Songs of sentiment, always about people, or an event - often colloquial or informal. Trying not to take things too seriously.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Foy Vance, John Martyn, Nick Mulvey, Bon Iver.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
I was 11 years old when I went to see Thin Lizzy at The Forum in Waterford with my uncle and my dad. Obviously it was the new Lizzy outfit - they had two original members - Brian Downey and Scott Gorham.
What's your favourite song right now?
Dijon - Many Times.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Not exactly a lyric, but there's a line from one of my favourite poems that I've adored for a long time. It's from T.S. Elliot's poem entitled Gerontion: "I am an old man, a dull head among windy spaces".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
John Denver - My Sweet Lady.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website. Socials (Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) - just search Gary O'Neill Music!
