Photo credit: Ciaran Bagnall
In 2004, Declan O’Rourke released his debut album, Since Kyabram, capturing the heart of the Irish music scene and quickly garnering critical acclaim. Two decades later, to celebrate this iconic milestone, O’Rourke will release a special 20th Anniversary Edition of Since Kyabram on February 7, 2025. The re-issue will be available on limited edition vinyl and CD, including the original album along with a second disc packed with never-before-heard bonus material.
Reflecting on the journey, O’Rourke shares: “Since Kyabram was not only my first complete offering of artistic expression, but the culmination of years applying myself to the learning of a great craft and infusing it with an identity of my own. Getting to make a record was a privilege I took very seriously and when it came time to, I entered the studio with a collection of songs I felt were strong, and distinctly mine.
I revelled in the studio environment and had the best of musicians to help in pursuing the vision I had for each song. We went for the old school vibe of playing together in the same room and capturing performances. It was a magical time and a dream to watch each of the songs landing. But the most unexpected thing for me was to witness something being born that was far beyond anything I had imagined and that had legs to stand up all on its own. Surreal and magical, the experience was something entirely new, and very addictive.But it all happened so fast at the time. So the re-release in celebration of its anniversary (along with all the extra surprises found hidden among the master tapes and my own archives recently), has been a great chance to go back and absorb Kyabram at a different pace. It sounds as fresh as ever to me, but this time around I had the wonderful sense of just being a passenger, and of how lucky I am to have been a part of it all.”
Released at a time when Dublin’s music scene was flourishing, Since Kyabram was an instant success, entering the charts at #5 and eventually earning gold, platinum, and double platinum certifications. The album’s standout tracks – Galileo, Sarah, No Place to Hide, We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, and Marrying the Sea – have since become fan favourites, earning O’Rourke widespread recognition and multiple award nominations. It also caught the attention of high-profile musicians such as Paul Weller, Eddi Reader, Paul Brady, and Snow Patrol.
Since Kyabram was named Debut Album of the Year by Hot Press, marking the beginning of a remarkable career that has seen O’Rourke evolve into one of Ireland’s most respected singer-songwriters.
The 20th Anniversary Edition promises a rich exploration of O’Rourke’s creative process, offering fans an intimate look at the journey behind his debut. Alongside the original album, the second disc will feature unreleased demos, alternate takes, and behind-the-scenes footage, providing a rare insight into the music that has defined O’Rourke’s career.
To further mark the occasion, O’Rourke will perform a series of special 20th Anniversary concerts, revisiting the album that started it all.
LIVE SHOWS:
- Live in-store at Spindizzy, Dublin, 5pm Wednesday 12th February
- National Concert Hall, Dublin, Thursday 13th February
+ more to be announced
INDEPENDENT RETAILER LIST + PRE-ORDER LINKS: