Roe Byrne plays his first ever headline show with support from Conor Clinch at the Sound House in Dublin on Saturday, 14 January. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Roe is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, with influences such as Dermot Kennedy, Hozier, and Novo Amor.
While busking as much as possible before the Leaving Cert, he plans to release his songs later this year.
"The guys in my band are people I've known throughout my whole music career," he says. "Chris on drums, and Daniel in bass, used to be in a band with myself and a couple others in a music school called Mezz.
"That’s really where I found my love for performing and got my first couple of public performances."
"Conor Marcus is my best mate in the world, and I’m honoured that he’s playing for me, especially when a few of the songs I’ll be singing on the night were written with him. I’m absolutely buzzing to be getting back in front of a crowd of people with these lads, they smash it every time."
Tickets for Roe Byrne at the Sound House are priced at €11.53 and are available at Eventbrite.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I absolutely love writing songs, I prefer dogs over cats, despite having both a cat and a dog (who I love equally) and I am a terrible cook (I somehow managed to burn pasta which I didn’t even know was possible!)
How would you describe your music?
I would describe it as a mix between pop and folk. Big drums, open chords, just a very full body sound to the music, with loud vocals. I love using my whole vocal range when I write, it gives songs such a massive feel to it!
Who are your musical inspirations?
Dermot Kennedy would be my biggest inspiration. The lyrics he writes, the sound that comes from his production, and the feeling I get when I see him perform live is second to none. I’ve seen him live maybe 4 or 5 times and every time I do, I have a burst of inspiration that results in writing two or more songs a day for at least a week.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My dad used to work with Thin Lizzy for years, so I think it might have them. Thin Lizzy are definitely my favourite rock band, I remember sitting up in the Gods in the 3Arena when I was maybe four and feeling the drums and bass vibrate my whole body. I absolutely fell in love with the heaviness of the music, I think that’s why I love the sound of massive drums in my songs, Brian Downey and Marco Mendoza has definitely influenced me!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Possibly a One Direction CD back in 2011, but it’s hard to remember!
What’s your favourite song right now?
It definitely changes from time to time, but I have my classics that I always go back to. Right now, one I found recently and that I keep returning to Is Eyes Don’t Lie by Kingfishr.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I’ve learned in love and death we don’t decide" - Lost by Dermot Kennedy.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
After Rain - Dermot Kennedy with no hesitation!!
Where can people find your music/more information?
I go by RoeByrneMusic on all platforms! Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify.
