Dublin Singer-Songwriter, Luke Clerkin, explores themes such as mental health, love, heartbreak, healing, and grief, with the release of his much anticipated debut album Orpheus.
Recorded over 2023 and 2024, Orpheus
was produced by Clerkin's close friend and frequent collaborator, Gavin Doyle. Recording took place between Doyle's home studio in Clondalkin, North Clondalkin Library and Block C Studios, with additional piano being recorded remotely in Iceland. It was mastered by Martin Quinn in Jam Studios in Kells.
Talking about recording the album, Luke said;
We spent a lot of time recording this album and trying to get it perfect but sometimes that's what got in the way of things. It's ironic because the theme of the album for me is about getting out of your own way, and honestly, if I kept trying to get it perfect, I probably wouldn't be releasing it! We faced so many other hurdles trying to get it over the line, one of them being a repetitive strain injury that I picked up, which put me out of action for two months. Gav also had some personal tragedies occur in his life, so I'm very grateful that we got it done and finished.
Reflecting on the Orpheus
Luke says;
We spent a lot of time recording this album and trying to get it perfect but sometimes that's what got in the way of things. It's ironic because the theme of the album for me is about getting out of your own way, and honestly, if I kept trying to get it perfect, I probably wouldn't be releasing it! We faced so many other hurdles trying to get it over the line, one of them being a repetitive strain injury that I picked up, which put me out of action for two months. Gav also had some personal tragedies occur in his life, so I'm very grateful that we got it done and finished.
The album is supported by the lead single, Home which features beautiful vocals from Kilkenny singer-songwriter, Bríd Lyons, alongside stunning string arrangements from cellist Matilde Lotti (Joy Cello), It also features bodhrán by Kieran Kelly with Gavin Doyle adding extra instruments. The song is a duet between Clerkin and Lyon's which focuses on the story of an older couple reminiscing on how they met in Temple Bar as buskers and how music and Dublin brought them together.
Home was written in 2015 when I'd been busking a lot in Temple Bar for a mental health charity called Teen-Line Ireland. I'd been playing with a group of musicians and fundraisers called the Never Alone Collective. It's an ode to those times spent singing on the square, and it's essentially a love song to Dublin itself. It's about a couple looking back on the night that they met in Temple Bar whilst busking and how those were much simpler times.- Luke Clerkin
The single, Home is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: @giselaph_