Donegal singer songwriter Kevin Laughlin has released his debut single, Play It Cool. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The 22-year-old is influenced by Paul Brady, John Mayer and Billy Joel and has been making music since he was 14.
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Speaking about Play it Cool, he says, "This song came at a time where I really thought I had my life all planned out but quickly came to realise I had not.
"So I wrote Play It Cool about just accepting that not everything will always go as planned in life or love. Sometimes you've got to just roll with the punches and play it cool."
To celebrate the release, Kevin headlines Bennigan’s in Derry on 16 May.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m a singer-songwriter from Donegal.
I studied music at Ulster University.
I started writing music in 2023 before taking a break for about a year and have been doing it since!
How would you describe your music?
I think my music is best described as a fusion of folk and pop. I grew up listening to a lot of really good folk music so it influenced me a lot in my writing. I also have played a lot of weddings so I’d imagine that’s where I get my pop influence.
Who are your musical inspirations?
My three biggest inspirations are John Mayer, Paul Brady and James Taylor. My Aunt and my Mum also were big inspirations musically and I probably wouldn’t be playing if it weren’t for them.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
It was either Sean Keane in Dunlewey or Eddi Reader in An Grianan in Letterkenny.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought was Queen’s Greatest Hits on iTunes when I was 12.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Right now my favourite song is Shark Attack by Joshua Slone.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I believe that my life’s gonna see the love I give returned to me" - Wheel by John Mayer.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Island by Paul Brady. My Auntie Sara showed me this song when I was 14 and it was the first time I thought I wanted to write my own music.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @kevinlaughlinn. Or you can find my first single on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever it is you stream your music!
Alan Corr
