Singer-songwriter Padraig Jack releases his stunning single ‘It’s Alright Now (Black Drapes)’ as a follow up to his hit single ‘Making Sand’ which spent 4 weeks at number 1 in the RTE Radio Airplay Chart in summer 2022.
A song that’s a highlight of his live shows, ‘It’s Alright Now’ was written while enduring what turned out to be a long but temporary period of ill mental health. While he now feels lucky to have been able to come through something that so many struggle with, to varying degrees, writing the song was an effort to understand and describe the phenomenon which was a new experience for the writer. The song begins with imagery describing depression as ‘The red of hell, draped in black’ but then evolves to a brighter place as the help of friends, family and counselling can ‘Hold your hand’ and ‘Bring you back’ to a place of feeling happiness again which you can ‘See in the eyes of those who love you’.
A native of the Islands himself, Padraig Jack is from a musical family. His dad is bilingual songwriter Barry Ronan and he is the nephew of the Irish poet and Aosdána member Mary O’Malley. Like his father, Padraig is proudly bilingual and writes music in both Irish and English. With influences ranging from James Taylor and The Eagles to Van Morrison and Shane McGowan, Padraig appreciates strong songwriting with a distinct point of view.
2022 has been a busy year for Padraig. He joined Dubliner Damien Dempsey on a sold-out tour of Ireland including shows in Cyprus Avenue, Róisín Dubh, Dolan’s, The Set Theatre and TF Royal as well as Vicar St. last October and The Iveagh Gardens this summer.
He also wrote and recorded a song for the legendary Foster and Allen, and performed it with the duo for a recording in the Pepper Canister Church in March 2022. This concert is due to be broadcast on RTÉ One this autumn. Padraig toured Wales in June 2022 which included a number of sold-out shows and will return again in late 2022 and he had an 8-week residency in his home island of Inis Mór at Joe Wattys which allowed show-goers to hear him perform in his home environment singing songs he wrote about that place in both English and Irish.
The rest of the year continues in the same vein. Padraig is gigging throughout September and October in Ireland and he will also join Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff for a UK tour including a show in London’s Powerhaus this October.
With plaudits from industry legends like Mike Scott, Sharon Shannon and Miles Hunt, and laudatory reviews from the likes of Hot Press, Padraig Jack is sure to be a legend in the making.
Upcoming Gigs
Sep 07 – Westport Town Hall, Mayo – Guest to Seán Keane
Sep 29 – Coughlans, Cork, headling show for Cork Folk Festival
Sep 30 – Ionad Culturtha Baile Mhuirne, Co Cork
Oct 07 – Monroes Galway – Rock Against Homelessness
Oct 08 – Inis Meáin, Aran islands
Oct 20 – Crane Bar, Galway
Oct 22 – London Powerhaus – support for Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)
Nov 18 – Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton – support for Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)
Nov 19 – The Music Room, Liverpool – support for Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)
Nov 20 – The Irish Club, Warrington – support for Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff)
