Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist Shimmer Boy (Aaron O'Sullivan) has released his debut single, Under the Surface, from his upcoming album, In The Aftermath, We Bloom, coming July 2026. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
From West Cork, Aaron began gigging at DeBarra’s Folk Club every Friday night at the age of 15 and has since shared stages with the likes of Eric Bell of Thin Lizzy, James Arthur, Cory Wong, Ariel Posen (Vulfpeck/Bros Landreth), Kellie Lewis and Culture Kid,
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Under the Surface was co-written with Fionn Hennessy, drummer with Cian Ducrot, Pa Sheehy and Little House.
"Fionn and I have always been great friends, and we spoke heavily about alcoholism and addiction when writing this," Aaron says. "It’s a song about friendship, holding out hope and never giving up on those around you, because it’s never too late to turn it all around.
"At almost two years sober, it feels like the right song to put out first. Ironically, it feels like something The War On Drugs could have written."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm 29, live a sober life and have been playing music since I was three years old.
How would you describe your music?
Raw, honest, emotional, energetic.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Kings of Leon, The Kooks, Medium Build, Dermot Kennedy, Lizzy McAlpine.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
AC/DC in Punchestown. I was maybe 13.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Pretty sure it was a Good Charlotte record. (Yeah, I know)
What’s your favourite song right now?
Little White Chapel by Amble.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I just can't look, it's killing me" - Mr Brightside by The Killers.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan.
Where can people find your music/more information?
TikTok and Instagram @shimmerboy. Spotify and all other streaming platforms
Alan Corr
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