One of Irish music's unsung heroes, Cork soul man Brian Deady's fortunes took a turn for the better in 2016 when he was signed to Universal/Decca Records after spending years as an independent artist.

Having re-released his second album 'Non-Fiction', he clocked up some big gigs including Dublin's NYE festival - and now he's planning another big one as he joins Nathaniel Rateliff and All Tvvins on the Jameson Bow Street Sessions line-up next Thursday at Dublin's Academy.

You can win tickets to the gig here on entertainment.ie by following this link, and check out our Q&A with Brian below. 

 

What’s the music that you listened to growing up that you still listen to today?
 I'm still listening to a bit of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Roy Orbison... I was listening to MJ's Dangerous album today - I love going back and revisiting music I loved as a kid, you always hear something new.

When did you first realise that you wanted a career in music?
When I was 6 I wanted to be in a band ..I hadn't quite figured out the logistics of it or what I would do, but I remember it being a strong feeling.

In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Whoooo whooo whoooo!

How do you wind down after a gig? 
Usually myself and the band spend a bit of time jumping up and down and screaming - then I usually try and convince the drummer to give me a cigarette, followed by yoga  - and a pint (or whiskey!).

What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
Wichita Lineman - beautiful simple storytelling (that's a really hard question, by the way).

What song of yours are you most proud of?
I co-wrote a song recently with a friend called 'Say When' and I get goosebumps everytime I hear it... I can't wait to get it out there.

What’s your favourite venue to perform in?
I played the Roundhouse in London in December opening for Walking on Cars and I think it's one of the nicest venues I've ever been in. Just class.

Your best and worst gig so far?
Best gig - Playing Longitude's Main Stage last summer - everything was just magic.
Worst - I did a gig a few years ago with just one other musician and a laptop... went onstage to a waiting crowd and the laptop had crashed. Had to reboot it - awkward.

Whose career do you envy, and why? 
Springsteen - I'm reading his autobiography at the moment... he did it all and he's still out there smashing it, and he documents it in such a fantastic way. Talent .
 
Vinyl or digital downloads?
Heart says vinyl - head just streams.
 
Give your thoughts on Spotify in three words.
Good. Bad. Hmmm.

You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
Steely Dan - Gaucho  
Michael Jackson - Bad 
E.S.T - Strange Place For Snow
                       
Name one piece of music memorabilia that you wish you owned.
Princes' vault.

Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Record: Ry Cooder - Paradise and Lunch ..good for the soul.
Book: Shantaram 
Movie: No Country for Old Men
 
Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life. 
Al Pacino is me as a child; he fella who was John Connor in Terminator 2 plays teenage me, and Wesley Snipes plays adult me. Steven Seagal can direct it.

You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Anything with prawns.

You’ve been given €100,000 to spend, but only 1 hour to spend it. What do you buy?
Dunnes - sure they've everything.

Describe your perfect day off.
Home, breakfast, walk in the woods, light a fire, not do laundry, watch the sunset - watch an episode or six of The Sopranos.

What have been your favourite famous musical collaborations over the years?
When Roy Orbison did that big show and Elvis' band along with Springsteen, kd lang, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and everyone else were his backing band... what a man. The making of 'We Are The World' - the full documentary - is probably the most epic pop docu ever made.

Can you give us a teaser of what to expect from your own Bow St. Sessions show? 
Really looking forward to playing with the band, especially the next single coming out soon - 'Get On My Knees' ..might even bring along a friend of mine, 'The Beast', for the night (he doesn't get out much).

*********