He's already been bigged-up by none other than Ed Sheeran and Damien Dempsey, and now Eoin Glackin is preparing to impress a wider audience with his brand of rootsy rock.

We caught up with the Dubliner for a quick chat about his new single 'Understand You', being inspired by Prince, lauded by the most famous ginger in music, and more.

 

Hi Eoin – can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first started playing music?

I’m a songwriter from Dublin. I love traveling around and playing my songs for whoever might listen and hope to continue to do so.

Who were your childhood heroes when you were growing up?

I loved the great storytellers of music. Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle and Josh Ritter amongst others, were people I got hooked on from an early age. That led me into all sorts of music like NWA and Dead Prez to Bowie and the Frames. I went through a pretty intense Bruce Lee obsession as a youngster, too.

When did you first realise you wanted a career in music?

Music was always something I loved doing and was always writing little attempts at my own songs so I guess it’s all just been a constant progression from there.

Tell us a little bit about your new single 'Understand You' and what inspired it.

The thing is, and I totally sound like I’m a serious bandwagon jumper after what has happened recently, but around the time late last year when I was writing this bunch of songs, I had Prince and Bowie both on constant repeat. I had never really been a Prince fan but got really into his sound and production all of a sudden. I’d like to think you can hear some of that in the track. The song is about just trying to wrap your head around what somebody wants.

You famously won high praise from none other than Ed Sheeran – how did that come about, do you know him?

I was at a gig in New York that he was at. I’m a bit of a shameless hustler at times so I thought why not just give him a CD? He listened to it anyway and sent me a lovely tweet after. It was a very sound gesture.

Can you describe what you're doing the minute before you walk on stage?

Nerves are definitely a factor for me so I’m usually pacing around somewhere. I tend to go back and forth to the bathroom a lot purely for something to do to take my mind off things. If I don’t need to go, I’ll just wash my hands!

How do you wind down after a gig?

Definitely depends on the gig but I love chatting to people after. Might have a beer or 2 if I don’t have to leave.

What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?

Born to Run.

What’s your favourite venue to perform in?

The Workman’s Club in Dublin has become a really important place for me. Love it there.

What's your favourite city, and why?

Taking Dublin out of the equation, I’ll go with Galway. It’s just such a quirky, vibrant, no hassle place. All the best parts of Ireland in one spot.

Your best and worst gig so far?

Anytime I get to play a big hometown gig is incredible fun. I always make sure my diary is empty the following day! As for worst, I don’t want to single anywhere out but sometimes, say when you’re the support act, you just can’t reach people and that can get you down. But it’s usually only a pocket of people acting the maggot so you have to focus on the ones who are listening.

Give your thoughts on Spotify in three words.

Cop themselves on.

You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?

Steve Earle – Feel Alright
Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Shovels & Rope – O’ Be Joyful

You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?

Chinese. 3 in 1 and a heap of chicken balls never goes wrong.

You’ve been given €100,000 to spend, but only 1 hour to spend it. What do you buy?

World peace.

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Eoin Glackin releases 'Understand You', taken from his latest EP 'Club Classic', on September 2nd. See his Facebook page for more updates.