Ultan Conlon has supported and toured with everyone from Eddi Reader to The Stunning to Mary Coughlan over the years, performed alongside Jackson Browne and even had one of his songs covered by the late, great John Martyn - but now's his time to step into the spotlight.

The Galway singer-songwriter has just released his third album 'The Last Days of the Night Owl' and will play Dublin venue Whelan's on Saturday, April 28th.

Ahead of the launch gig, we caught up with him to answer entertainment.ie's Big Questionnaire.

What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
I recall watching old Elvis movies at home and listening to him with my dad. I still go back there from time to time. He never goes out of fashion. 

When did you first realise you wanted a career in music?
When I was about 4 I saw a cousin’s electric guitar and I was obsessed, but I knew I wanted a career in music by the time I reached my late teens.

In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Brick in it.

How do you wind down after a gig?
It’s tricky, not much you can do except let it gradually come to rest.

What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
As a songwriter it would be one of two, Wichita Lineman by Jimmy Webb, or Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

What song of yours are you most proud of?
A very early song of mine called ‘Really Gone’.  John Martyn recorded it back in 2006. That did it for me. 

What’s your favourite venue to perform in?
Largo in LA. Hands down. Owned and run by Mark Flanagan from Belfast.  

Your best and worst gig so far?
Playing alongside Jackson Browne and Shelby Lynne at Largo was one of the best. Thankfully I’m straining to recall the worst. Must have repressed that one. 

Whose career do you envy, and why?
I try not to envy anyone’s anything, but I envy the careers of songwriters behind the scenes. Jimmy Webb is well known in his own right, but possibly not as well as his songs. 

Vinyl or digital downloads?
Digital.

Give your thoughts on Spotify in three words.
Great for punters.

You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
A Deeper Understanding - The War On Drugs
Scars On The Calendar - Mary Coughlan 
The Nashville Sound - Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

Name one piece of music memorabilia that you wish you owned.
One piece of music memorabilia, hmm... Roy Orbison’s shades.

Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Neil Young, Harvest.  Great Expectations, Charles Dickens. Mullholland Drive, David Lynch.

Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Larry Charles Director, Larry David playing me. Ha! 

You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Guilt and regret for not cooking myself. 

You’ve been given €100,000 to spend, but only 1 hour to spend it. What do you buy?
Can I buy time? That’s tricky!

Describe your perfect day off.
Organising and dealing with all the stuff that’s been building up and causing anxiety within me. 

Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your gig.
You should come to my gig because it beats staying in clicking on ‘Likes’ and links on social media. 

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Ultan Conlon and his band play Whelan's, Dublin on April 28th. Tickets are on sale from usual outlets now.