Irish songwriter Conleth Mc Geary has released his new single, Lily. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The track is from his new EP Voice Notes, which he produced with Grammy-winner Ruadhri Cushnan (Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran) and Ryan Keen.
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Conleth has toured Ireland and the UK and supported acts such as The Coronas and Ryan McMullan.
In 2023, he relocated to the Middle East and supported The Coronas in Australia on their Thoughts and Observations tour in 2024. He also played on the Emerging Artists stage at Misneach - a festival curated by Dermot Kennedy - in Sydney last March.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm from Tyrone, but have not lived in Ireland for 12 years
I speak fluent Spanish, weirdly enough. Nothing surprises my mates more when I strike up a conversation in Espanol!
I own a wee music bar in my second home, Liverpool, called The Beeswing.
How would you describe your music?
It's a mix of Fergie and Jesus... No, it's honest, in terms of what I'm experiencing in my life. There's hints of folk and home weaved throughout, with just honest storytelling for people who may be in the same boat as me.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Christy Moore and Foy Vance, and in more recent times, two acts that I've been fortunate enough to meet this year - Dermot Kennedy and Amble. All of them are storytellers, poets even. And it's the depth to their songs that really inspires me.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Christy Moore in Belfast, when I was about 15. It changed my life.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Proclaimers. Have you ever delved into them? Do it. They’re actually unbelievable.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Right now, and always, Beeswing by Richard Thompson. Sure, I named my bar after it.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"You might be lord of half the world, you'll not own me as well" - Beeswing by Richard Thompson.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Vincent by Don McLean. This song scares me. I sang a version of it at a show in Dubai recently, backed up my friends Blaine and Sarah, and the lights and everything just made it such a surreal moment. The melody, the lyrics, the meaning.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find me on Instagram and TikTok - @conlethmcgeary, where I love to chat to people who are discovering my music. It’s never felt normal for me, and it blows me away to see it happening, so I love getting to know people who resonate with what I have to say.
Alan Corr
