He has been a 'best-kept secret' over the past few years thanks to a clutch of ace r'n'b infused electropop songs like 'Liquor' and 'Glimpse'.

Now, Rushes – the Skibbereen musician set for big things in 2021 – is stepping out of the shadows with his new single 'Wide-Eyed'.

The song is taken from his debut full-length album 'Glowchild', which is released on July 23rd.

We caught up with the enigmatic artist to learn more about him and his music.

1. What's the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Growing up in Skibbereen, West Cork, I didn’t have the best of internet connections or access to a wider palette of music. Most of my early upbringing was spent listening to whatever was playing on the local radio stations or if the signal would allow, tuning into some BBC radio. It mainly consisted of pop music from the early 2000s, so I still go back to that sometimes.

2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Eager. Anxious. Buzzing.

3. How do you wind down after a gig?
I’ve only played a handful of gigs but each of them have been followed by a huge rush of dopamine. I find it difficult to unwind afterwards so I like to continue that feeling by going for drinks with the band and having some fun into the early hours.

4. What’s the one song you wish you’d written first?
I’ve never really felt like I’d wish to have written another song before the original artist but one that I would have loved to have been in the room while it was created is 'Across The Universe' by The Beatles. It’s very cosmic.

5. What’s the last thing you watched on TV?
I watched three seasons of Formula 1: Drive To Survive in one sitting last week. Maybe I was a race car driver in a past life.

6. Name one record and one film that everyone should hear / see.
Record: ‘Pet Sounds’ by The Beach Boys. I only really took the time to appreciate it fully recently. Brian Wilson is a genius.

Film: ‘War of the Buttons’. I remember watching this repeatedly as a child. It was shot down where I live in West Cork and is about two rival kid gangs who cut the buttons, shoelaces and belts off their opposition. It’s funny to walk around the same spots it was filmed.

7. What's your biggest pet peeve?
I would say pessimistic people, or else slow drivers. Especially after watching that Formula 1 show.

8. Who's the most famous person saved to your phone contacts?
My friend Paudie. He’s not famous yet but I’m sure he’ll go down in the history books one day.

9. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
I’ve grown to love prawns this year, they’ve become my go-to whenever I’m ordering from a spot. I’m gonna say oak fired pizza with prawns, rocket and chilli.

10. Describe your perfect day off.
Even though I do enjoy my own company, I find it hard to sit still. So I think gathering up my friends, driving round on a sunny day together and travelling to places we haven’t been to before sounds good.

BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.
'No Encore' podcast. It was the first podcast that I was ever a guest on, but Dave and Daithi both made me feel real at ease in the conversation so I have kept up to date with it. The recent For Those I Love interview was a great listen. Random fact, I used to work in a sports shop on Henry Street and ALMOST sold Dave a sweet pair of Nikes - I’ll get him next time !

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'Wide Eyed' is out now and 'Glowchild' will be released on July 23rd.