Declan O'Rourke
This July we are delighted to welcome
to Upstairs at The White Horse.
with support from Jack O’Rourke
Doors 8.30pm
Tickets available HERE
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PRAISE FOR DECLAN O’ROURKE:
Paul Weller singer-songwriter : “He writes the sort of classic songs that people don’t write anymore, songs that sound like they’ve been around forever […] Listen to Galileo, which is possibly the greatest song written in the last 30 years.”
Paul Brady Irish singer-songwriter : “A most talented singer-songwriter […] possessing a rich, soulful, musical voice and a brilliant instrumental ability.”
Maura O’Connell Grammy-Award nominated singer “He is a phenomenal writer, singer, musician and entertainer. I can’t do justice to his talent in words. I don’t say that very often, but in this case it is true.”
Edith Bowman BBC Radio : “There is something so simple but overwhelmingly power (sic) about the melodies and emotive storytelling. [Since Kyabram] is an album I will listen to for the rest of my life and will probably never tire of.”
John Prine singer-songwriter : “Declan O’ Rourke is a great songwriter. He is a fine fellow too and I believe the missing link to the Inkspots.”
Glen Hansard Oscar-winning singer-songwriter : “Declan O’Rourke is one of the rare breed, he arrived fully formed, his songs, and delivery belie his age, and ours. He’s a timeless troubadour with a voice that breaks through all your defenses and gets to the heart of the matter. One of the true greats of our island.”
Declan O’Rourke has achieved critical acclaim for his songwriting, singing and performance. Jon Pareles of The New York Times said there was virtuosity in his guitar playing, with ‘intricately contrapuntal picking and meticulous dynamics,’ and that his calling was as a balladeer. Paul Weller said of O’Rourke’s song ‘Galileo’ that it’s possibly the greatest song written in the last thirty years.
A consummate and versatile performer, his songs mesmerize regardless of whether performed solo, with a band, string quartet, full orchestra, or as a trio.
Declan’s debut album in 2004, Since Kyabram, debuted at no. 5 on the Irish Charts and scored double-platinum sales, earning him three Meteor Awards nominations including Best Male, Best Album, and Best Folk/Traditional Album, as well as landing him a recording contract with V2. His debut album launch took place over three sold-out nights in Whelan’s, one of Dublin’s most popular music venues, broadcast live nationally on Today FM.
The debut single ‘Galileo (Someone Like You)’ has been recorded and performed by many artists, including singer Josh Groban who cut it for his album Illuminations. Declan performed ‘Galileo’ at the 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration of Ireland’s National Concert Hall, at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Solheim Cup, and at the BBC-televised ‘Proms in the Park’ with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast.
O’Rourke’s second album Big Bad Beautiful World, released in 2007, has also gone Platinum in Ireland, debuting at no. 4. Support slots followed in the UK and Germany to the likes of Paulo Nutini, Teddy Thompson, The Cardigans, Divine Comedy and Badly Drawn Boy.
In 2010 he released his third studio album Mag Pai Zai under his own label, Rimecoat Records. It topped the success of his first two albums, holding its own in Ireland’s Top 10 Album Charts for four consecutive weeks, and scoring ‘Album of the Week’ on BBC Radio Scotland and RTE Radio 1.
‘A Little Something,’ the album’s first single climbed to no. 2 in the Today FM Top 40 Singles Charts. Mag Pai Zai also made it into The Irish Times’ ‘101 Irish Albums to Hear Before You Die.’
In late 2013, O’Rourke released Mag Pai Zai in the United States, his first recording available Stateside. Distributed by the Orchard, the US version garnered critical acclaim from such national media outlets as the The Wall Street Journal, Spin, American Songwriter, Travel & Leisure, NPR’s World Café and USA Today. An appearance on Mountain Stage will air in the Spring of 2014 on over 300 NPR affiliates.
Recently, he opened for and shared the stage with John Prine on some of his UK, Irish, and US dates, as well as performing on stage and TV with The Dubliners as part of their farewell tour after 50 years in the business. Declan has also recorded songs with English folk sensation Kate Rusby, Swedish pop artist Peter Jöback, and dobro-king Jerry Douglas.
O’Rourke’s versatility live has resulted in successful appearances in concert halls, clubs and on television. He has played for three Irish Presidents and the King and Queen of Sweden (with Peter Jöback). He appeared on two seasons of the popular music show Other Voices, as well as season five of BBC’s Transatlantic Session alongside Alison Krauss and Amos Lee.
Declan has guested with New Zealand indie-sensation Bic Runga, and 3multi-platinum alternative rock group Snow Patrol throughout Europe, including London’s Wembley Arena.
He has also performed at such festivals as Glastonbury, Oxygen, Electric Picnic, The Cannes Film Festival, Latitude, Cois Fharraige, and SXSW. Declan’s own shows have included The Paradiso Club, Amsterdam; The 100 Club, London; The Waterfront Hall, Belfast—his sold-out performance at Sydney’s Basement venue was broadcast on Australian TV’s ABC network.
In 2012, Declan performed alongside Bono, Damian Rice, Lupe Fiasco and Bob Geldof at Electric Burma, a concert in celebration of Burmese Humanitarian Aung San Suu Kyi. At the 2013 Oscars, Declan played the Oscar Wilde awards in LA for such luminaries as Steven Spielberg and J. J. Abrams.
April 2013, Declan sold out an eight-night residence with a string quartet at New York City’s Donaghy Arts Theatre. The residence was a smashing success and was raved about by Jon Pareles of the New York Times.
Declan is a prolific songwriter and has over one hundred songs worthy of potential release. Songs range from pop to big band, traditional ballads, country, and everything in between.