Wicklow-based singer songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice has released his new single, In the Night Time We Shone. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I come from Greenhills, Dublin from a working class estate and now live in Greystones in County Wicklow with my family. I am a Manchester United and Shamrock Rovers fanatic and after the Covid pandemic, I decided I would take up music again after a long break and see if I could break into people's emotions and consciousness through my lyrics and music.
How would you describe your music?
An eclectic mix of styles and genres because of the variety of music I was exposed to in my house at a very young age, from John Lennon to The Human League, Bowie, Roxy Music, Neil Young (the list is endless since my Dad is obsessed with all types of music). On my new album, EQUINOX (10 singles of 18 tracks have been released to date), and my next record, AMERICANNA Vol.1, there are songs with a hard rock/Britpop edge, blues, Folk and Country and Western and experimental tracks. My work has themes running through the songs for the vast majority of the records, for instance my song Try To Make It Right (our end game) is about a couple divorcing but they have to protect their children from the fall out.
Who are your musical inspirations?
David Bowie, The Beatles and, my idol since childhood, Jimi Hendrix (my latest single Purple Man (For Jimi) is dedicated to him). What stood out for me, especially Bowie and The Beatles, was the mix of styles, tempo and their fearless approach to songwriting ("The White Album" is my favourite Beatles record), inventing new genres and styles as they evolved as artists, Bowie more so because he stretched into the 1970s, constantly changing lanes up until his death and releasing Blackstar.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Hot House Flowers and Something Happens at the National Stadium in Dublin in the early 1990s. They are both still gigging so fair play to them!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Because my Dad had such a vast collection of records and cassettes, I was very lucky and I did not have a need to visit record shops that often but I do remember purchasing the single Undercover of The Night by The Rolling Stones in 1983, which is still a great song to this day.
What’s your favourite song right now?
If I were to name a song from the distant past it would be Machine Gun (Live at the Filmore East) by Jimi Hendrix, the greatest guitar player ever plays the greatest guitar solo ever heard and still conveys social commentary in one song.
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Present day: Burn The Witch by Radiohead. The song, the strings and even the music video are high-end artistry while still maintaining the integrity of their music. I was stunned when I first heard it.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" - Beautiful Boy by John Lennon.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Linktree and Instagram.
Alan Corr
