Ever since he first emerged, Ireland’s Gerard O’Donnell has been quick to establish himself as one of the more wondrous names emerging in the neo-classical space right now. And after finding plenty of praise and acclaim for his recent material, the fast-rising pianist is back once again to deliver his heartfelt new single ‘He By Water’, the final outing from his upcoming debut album.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what he has planned for the months ahead.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I’m a pianist and composer from Ireland whose background in music started with the typical pushy parents who wanted their children to learn an instrument 😉 I’m one of ten siblings and our Saturday mornings were dedicated to piano and elocution lessons. One by one, my brothers and sisters decided they’d had enough, trading piano for other pursuits. But even so, we all grew up with a deep love for music, each finding our own tastes, making our family kitchen a very varied soundscape where The Prodigy competed with Prokofiev.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
What inspires me most is the ability to tell stories through music. I’m drawn to the narrative within music, to the epic. I love artists like Tori Amos, Florence and the Machine, and Lucky Love or James Blake. There’s a theatre to what they create which I find very inspiring.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
While practising in the venue where a piano exam was due to take place the following day, I got spotted by a famous concert pianist who convinced me to go and study under his tutelage at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Although I was very young at that point, I’d say it was a turning point and when things began to get serious. As soon as I crossed the threshold of that old Georgian mansion I knew I had to find a way to make this my world. The poorly soundproofed rooms in the Academy back then meant that you could hear a cacophony of orchestral instruments spilling out even onto the street in front, causing passersby to halt. Magic.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
It’s easier for me to explain what my process isn’t than to define what it is. Like many musicians, I’m often not fully present in conversations, my mind drifts, caught up in a motif I might have heard or even just seen earlier. Inspiration can come from almost anything, not just sound. It might be something visual, like the sweep of a billowing coat, the relentlessness of a train, the scrape of a chair on a tiled floor, or even a photograph. These ideas grow as I explore timbre, pitch, harmonics, and registers. But even as I say this, I know I’ll contradict myself – it’s that fluid. The process is honest, unstructured, experimental, and almost childlike. Still, there’s a moment when you know you’ve arrived, and that’s when it all comes together, when you can nearly feel that you’re not alone.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
I’m still not sure if I find inspiration or if it finds me … nights alive with laughter, heartfelt memories, and stories that keep you awake until dawn, taking you on the most amazing journeys. Moments, both structured and free-spirited, lend themselves like masses of some sort of abstract material which can be carved, moulded, path beaten…
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Every piece of music comes with a theme or in my case, a rather elaborate narrative. However I try not to impose too much detail on the listener but invite them to imagine their own landscapes based on what they hear. I grew up surrounded by incredible storytellers, listening to tales of ghosts, faery folk, and legends. I remember watching how these stories brought people together, seeing how the energy between the storyteller and the listeners would flow back and forth. That connection stuck with me, and now I try to create that same feeling through music, crafting soundscapes that let the listener be part of the story.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Thanks to music streaming platforms, making music has become very democratised which is amazing. However in equal measure it has become extremely competitive. Gone are the days when a demo tape was enough to grab the attention of radio stations, promoters or labels. Making music even at amateur level requires massive investment, knowledge and access to resources which sadly many emerging artists simply cannot afford. We need to get back to concert tickets, live music and groupies!
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
As corny as it sounds, the greatest rewards always come from sharing music with a live audience. The energy is incredible and it takes me days to come back to earth following a concert.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I’d say that you certainly have to be commercially aware of what is happening, where it is happening and remain alert to trends within your genre. However you have to know yourself, your sound. Everyone talks of authenticity these days and I feel that even if a particular style of music is not for you, there’s a renewed sense of appreciation for the acoustic, the craft of making music. That should give us hope.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
My album, entitled “In Honour of the Moon”, launches on the 20th June. It’s a cycle of nine nocturnes, dedicated to the moon herself; the emotional, spiritual, and mythic dimensions of night. Just following the release, I’ll be giving a recital in Madrid where I’ll be accompanied by a quartet of string players from the national orchestra there. So I’m really looking forward to that. If the album gets the attention I’m hoping for, I’d love to plan a more extensive promotional tour for sure!
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
Fat… but hopefully touring, collaborating and creating, always creating.
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Listen to Gerard O’Donnell’s new single ‘He By Water’ below.
