Cork singer songwriter John Blek has announced his new album, The Midnight Ache, and released his new single, 747. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The Midnight Ache is released on16 January 2026 on John's own label Bigger River Recording Co.
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
747 is described as a "heartbreaking track about leaving, the collapse of long lasting love and the indelible marks that lost love leaves".
"This is a song I wrote on an early morning flight to Europe to begin a tour back in late 2023," John says. "Those journeys can often be fruitful and creative times.
"The mind is half asleep and the body is there witnessing the tired beginnings of the day or the alien landscapes above the clouds. It’s a chance to get outside of yourself."
The Midnight Ache saw John take his DIY spirit one step further. He self-recorded and produced the majority of the album and built his own recording studio.
The album features vocal performances by John’s wife and the cover is adorned with pressed flowers from their garden. Additional production and mixing was done by regular collaborator Brian Casey at Wavefield Recordings.
"This album took me by surprise," John says. "I was slowly writing and using the songs to try to get to know the new studio space. Sonically feeling my way around and seeing what I could achieve when all of a sudden I realised I was looking at a new record."
Photo credit: Ciara O'Leary Fitzpatrick
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I like to make things, anything. Records, artwork, a mess etc..
I became a dad 10 months ago. It's been a wild but fun ride thus far.
Last year I built my own recording studio which was a dream come true.
How would you describe your music?
If I was to put my music on a record store shelf I think it would be under Alt-Folk. Essentially, it's all based around the acoustic guitar and a good song.
Who are your musical inspirations?
The artists that got me listening to music as a kid were Willie Nelson, The Beatles and Jim Croce. The band that got me playing music was Nirvana. But in recent years I've taken massive inspiration from Bert Jansch, Jeff Tweedy and Iron & Wine.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I think the first gig I ever went to was an under-age show at the old Half Moon Theatre in Cork. It was The Revs. After that it was The Frames in Cork Opera House.
What was the first record you ever bought?
It must have been one of Dustin the Turkey’s Christmas singles. I was a big fan.
What’s your favourite song right now?
New Slang by The Shins is an old song but one I've been singing to myself and enjoying for a few weeks.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"One night of love can't make up for six nights alone". It's from Willie Nelson's If You Can Touch Her At All. This is something that changes constantly but this one just came to mind.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Across The Universe by The Beatles.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok.
Alan Corr
