Patrick O’Laoghaire A.K.A. I Have A Tribe has returned with a beautiful new single, ‘Teddy’s Song’ - his first new music to be released since his acclaimed debut album in 2016.

The release of ‘Teddy’s Song’ comes on foot of O’Laoghaire having joined Grammy Award winning brass player CARM to open for Bon Iver at London’s Wembley Arena and Dublin’s 3Arena in October, and supporting Villagers earlier in November. The single features Patrick O’Laoghaire on vocals and piano, Conor O’Brien (Villagers) on trumpet, Oisín Walsh-Peelo on harp, Caimin Gilmore on bass and Dominic Mullan on drums.

We caught up with Patrick to learn more about his influences and inspirations.

1.    What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
My dad always hummed a tune called “Love’s Old Sweet Song” and I found myself singing it in the car driving out to say hello to my parents this evening. I know that’s a funny answer to that question. But I think it’s lovely how some tunes, or even parts of them, hang around like old friends and show up at different times. First piano teacher I ever had was a man named Seamus who showed me how to play Fur Elise on the piano. When I met my niece Sasha the other day she sat down and played me that same tune. Another of those old friends. And then she rocked some Billie Eilish. Sasha’s the business.

2.    In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Time for Hugs.

3.    How do you wind down after a gig?
I steal away for a little wander, usually. I find myself going somewhere quiet on my own for a few minutes and saying thank you, out loud. I think it’s to say thanks to that energy of connection and that wave of togetherness that a gig can bring. Then in no particular order, I wander back to a pint of Guinness, some good laughing, a soft chat, a lie down on the kitchen floor to rub the dog and ask him about his day

4.    What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
I don’t think I’d ever wish a song away from somebody. I’ve a feeling if a song came from someone it came to the right person at the right time in its own way and isn’t that lovely. I sometimes wonder about certain songs and where someone was when it landed. ‘Close your eyes I’ll be here in the morning’ written by Townes Van Zandt. (And sung really beautifully by Brigid Mae Power). ‘Suzanne takes you down to her place by the river’ by Leonard Cohen. \Blue is the eye watches over the sea’ or ‘I am an island, I don’t stand silent’ (Ye Vagabonds).

Whose eyes are closing? What does Suzanne’s face look like, where’s her place, where’s the river? I suppose for the last one I could just text Brían or Diarmuid and they’ll tell me. But maybe it’s nicer not knowing at all. That way, whoever is hearing the song can hear their own story in it. And Suzanne’s face can be whoever’s face they want or need it to be. That river she lives by can be any river I want it to be. Whoever’s eyes, whatever sea, whatever morning. Maybe this is how songs stay alive.

5. What is your pet peeve?
I wouldn’t be gone on parking fines. Though I did have a great chat with a traffic warden the other day. He was writing me a ticket and I noticed he had very bright nail varnish on, which was lovely, and when I told him so he said he performed in drag at the weekends. Which led to a brilliant chat and a great laugh and by the time we finished talking it was free parking again so I didn’t get a fine.

5.    Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Janey, that’s hard. I wouldn’t have just the ones. But here’s some I like a lot lately:

Record: Anna Mieke has a great new one out called ‘Theatre’. Cormac Begley’s playing makes me dance on my own in the kitchen in the mornings. Arvo Part Summa for Strings. Sasha recommends Billie Eilish ‘Bad Guy’ and I agree with her.

Book: I just finished Nick Cave’s ‘Faith Hope and Carnage’ and am looking forward to reading it again right away. Anything written by Doireann Ní Gríofa. I love ‘Yell, Sam, If You Still Can’ by Maylis Besserie. A great friend of mine gave me a copy of Cannery Row and I recommend that too. Oooh and Manchán Magan’s books.

Film: ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ is mighty.

6.    Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
I would choose to be a character in any Cartoon Saloon film and I am not fussy about what adventure I go on.

7.    You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Sushi!

8.    Describe your perfect day off.
It has my partner and my friends and my family in it. There’s a good stretch of time on the beach with the dog chasing sticks. There’s music in it, there’s plenty of laughing, there’s plenty of chat, all clocks are stopped, all phones are broken

9.    Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig (whenever it may be.)
We will sing songs and have nice times. 

BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.  
Blindboy has a lovely one recently called “Rivers, Lakes and Data Centres in Irish Mythology.” It’s a lovely listen.

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‘Teddy’s Song’ is out now.