Today, I am 24

On this day, in the year 2000 in a hospital in Boston, I was born. My mum still attests that the reason she went into labour prematurely was because she was cutting a rug with her friends on a night out the previous evening. Just imagine a heavily pregnant woman living it up to Destiny’s Child, mocktail in hand without a care in the world. My mother is also adamant that my musical inclination in life was informed by my unborn exposure to all types of sonic wonders of the day such as Creed, 3 Doors Down and Shaggy. What a time to nearly be alive.

My mum (far left), my brother (next to her) and me (far right) on some absolute scenes, Christmas Eve, 2005.

This is the first birthday I have ever spent away from home. I’m currently a little over 3 months into an adventure in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve spent the last 6/7 years or so developing as a songwriter, engineer and producer, and I realised Music City would be the perfect place to fast-track that evolution. It’s been quite fun and informative so far, but not without it’s difficulties. That’s why I’m very glad to be headed home for Christmas. There’s nothing like Ireland at this time of year. I suppose most would call it downright depressing, with its gloomy, dark days and a cold snap in the air. Those perils are very real, but the true nature of a place is in it’s people, and people seem to burst with joy at Christmastime. I could very well be over-hyping this, but I am nonetheless looking forward to the moment I step back on Irish soil and inhale the thick, heavy air, and to see lots of people whom I care about very much.

Mum and I saying goodbye in NYC a few weeks back. I might’ve grown a few inches since 2005.

This entry is intended to be the first of a good few, where I can write about goings on in my Nashvillian adventure, and maybe also some songwriting and engineering thoughts as well. At the moment, I’m writing quite a bit which always feels good. I’m also planning a rescue mission during my time at home, where I might smuggle a few bits of recording gear back on the plane with me, so I can start recording and working again in earnest on a few projects which are currently on the go.

I’ll try and keep these entries brief and frequent. At least once a week and, God willing, interesting too. For now though I’m done. Bye bye. Go away.