Declan O Rourke
Declan O'Rourke is an Irish recording artist who began his career on the Dublin singer-songwriter circuit in 2000. Declan released his debut album under a small, independent Irish record label in 2004. Entitled ‘Since Kaybram’ (a reference to his adolescent years spent in Australia where he was given his first guitar by a priest in the provincial Victorian town Kyabram) it went straight in at fifth position in the Irish charts. It very soon achieved Gold, Platinum and then double-Platinum status. Even now, almost four years after its release, it continues to sell steadily.
Declan's songs have gained him much interest both here and abroad with a number of the industry’s top names. Earlier this year, when asked by Q Magazine which song from the past twenty years he most wishes he’d written, Paul Weller chose ‘Galileo,’ a song from Since Kyabram. Jonathan Ross, Britain’s top chat show host and foremost radio DJ, plays him regularly on his Saturday morning show. Declan’s songs have been recorded by a number of artists, including Eddi Reader, Brian Kennedy and Maura O’Connell, among others.
Last year, Declan released his long-awaited second album, ‘Big, Bad, Beautiful World,’ which reached fourth position in the Irish charts. ‘Big, Bad, Beautiful World’ has been critically acclaimed. In April 2007, Declan toured the record with great success, including a small Australian tour in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Declan is praised for his heartfelt, intimate performances as well as his larger, energetic concerts. In 2006, Declan supported Snow Patrol on their European tour, where he played Wembly Stadium and the Odyssey Arena among others. He has also made a number of special guest appearances on stage with the band.
Declan’s popularity continues to grow steadily, with a vast amount of sell-out performances in Ireland’s most prestigious venues. Declan has also toured in England and mainland Europe, supporting such notable names as Paul Weller, The Cardigans, Paulo Nuttini, Paul Brady, The Beautiful South, Nizlopi, while appearing on the same bills as Bob Dylan, Planxty and, in Spring 2009, Nancy Griffith.
"A rich, soulful, musical voice and a brilliant instrumental ability are just the start of it. As a songwriter he has already shown he can mix it with the best." Paul Brady
“An incredible talent, a rare gem and a true genius.” Kate Rusby
History In The Backroom
27th Feb 2009 - Headline