Cormac Looby is a singer-songwriter from Co. Tipperary. He draws inspiration from a range of artists including Mick Flannery, Bell X1, Phoebe Bridgers and Sam Fender. Cormac combines elements of folk, pop, and rock; with introspective and honest song-writing.
Cormac’s debut single ‘I Don’t Need Your Love’ was released in 2020, independently amassing over 20,000 streams and featuring on BBC Introducing and RTÉ Radio 1 Recommends. This was followed up by his second single ‘Feel Good’ that same year. 2022 heralded the release of Cormac’s debut EP, ‘Things We Don’t Control’, recorded with a full live band at the Black Gate Studio, Galway. The singles taken from it, ‘Patriot’ and ‘Hard-wiring’ also featured on RTÉ Recommends and BBC Introducing respectively.
In support of the EP, Cormac and his band toured extensively, playing venues such as Fiddler’s Elbow London, Róisín Dubh Galway and two sold-out shows Upstairs at Dublin’s iconic venue, Whelan’s. They concluded the year with a headline gig in the Workman’s Cellar, Dublin and a hometown show in Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
In the intervening period, there have been two more singles; ‘Lobsters’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Let You Down’. In February 2023, Cormac was chosen as a nominee for the Irish Music Month ‘Local Hero’ with Radio Nova for the latter of these singles. That same year, he played the renowned Ruby Sessions in Dublin, sharing the stage with Bombay Bicycle Club, as well as supporting folk musicians David Keenan and Maria Kelly. December 2023 saw their biggest headline show to date in the main room at the Workman’s Club.
2024 will see the release of his debut album; ‘A Perpetual State of Irony’. Consisting of ten brand-new tracks, Cormac and his live band have teamed up once more with the Black Gate Studio in his most ambitious and exciting project to date.
He’ll be sharing the stage with two of Ireland’s finest folk acts, Ye Vegabonds and Susan O’Neil on June 1st for When Next We Meet.
‘Angel, Baby’ delves into deeply personal themes of grief and anxiety. The inspiration behind the song stems from a poignant moment in Cormac’s own life: as he was being born, a relative of his was battling cancer.
“She affectionately referred to me as her “baby angel,” sent to save her. The track grapples with the painful realization of my inability to alleviate her suffering. This experience causes me to reflect on my own internal struggles with mental health issues and the profound sense of helplessness that accompanies them. Through the song, I navigate the complex emotions of longing, loss, and the profound desire for salvation.”
The track was recorded at Black Mountain Studios Dundalk, with strings tracked at Stiuideo Cuan, Spiddal, and guitar at the Clinic, Dublin. It was mixed and produced by Liam King from the Black Gate Studio, Galway. The song has been mastered by Pete Maher Mastering (U2, The Killers, Damien Rice).
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