Photo Credit: @giselaph_
“Clerkin has a knack for catchy lyrics, using endlessly relatable themes and uplifting vocal tones.” – HotPress.
“Clerkin displays his ability to present sweet melodies and heartfelt songwriting through a lush blend of genres” – Indie Buddie
“Clerkin has transformed my playlist from conventional to extraordinary” – Otherside Reviews
All Dreamers Have Desires
For just over 10 years, Luke Clerkin has been a stalwart on the Irish music scene. The Tallaght man has played festivals and shows all over the country and extensively on an international level, making a name for himself as one of the hardest working singer-songwriters in the country. His passion for mental health and advocating for those who struggle to use their voice shines through everything he does.
Throughout his career, Luke has become an award-winning singer-songwriter and mental health advocate, winning both the SCC Songwriting Competition and the Rotary Young Citizen Award, recognising his dedication to both fields. His music has been featured on RTE Radio One, BBC Northern Ireland, Spin Radio, Today FM, and more. Luke has also spoken on national and international radio and television, raising awareness of mental health by sharing his personal struggles and triumphs. His efforts have also extended to important social causes such as the housing crisis and homelessness, being involved in major movements like Apollo House and Take Back The City. He is also a regular feature at the famous Dublin Simon Community Christmas Eve Busk, organised by Glen Hansard.
While achieving these goals, Luke has made sure to lift up other struggling songwriters and artists, recently founding the Dublin Songwriting Circle with Navya and All Things Eve. This collaborative space fosters growth and support within the songwriting community, an initiative that reflects Luke’s commitment to helping others navigate their creative journeys.
In recent years, Luke has also come to understand more about his own mental health, discovering that he has ADHD. This revelation has been transformative, helping him gain a deeper understanding of his creative process and personal life. “Learning about my ADHD has been eye-opening,” Luke says. “It has allowed me to embrace my unique approach to music and life, and better understand the challenges I face as an artist. It’s also helped me find new ways to navigate the highs and lows of my career and relationships. With so many other people discovering that they also have ADHD in the last few years, I now want to use my experiences to help others with their challenges, by sharing how I’ve overcome mine. “
On January 31st, Luke’s 10-year journey culminates with the release of his highly anticipated debut album, Orpheus. This 12-track album is designed to be experienced in two halves: the first half features fan favorites and songs that have defined Luke’s career, while the second half chronicles his personal journey of finding love, overcoming obstacles, and discovering new facets of himself.
The album’s title, Orpheus, is a nod to the mythological figure who navigated the complexities of love, loss, and transformation, reflecting Luke’s own evolution as an artist and person. “The journey of making this album has been incredibly personal,” Luke shares. “Orpheus is about navigating the highs and lows, about self-discovery, healing, and the hope that comes from embracing life’s changes.”
To celebrate the release of Orpheus, Luke will be hosting an album launch show at Whelan’s in Dublin on February 6th, where fans can experience the full spectrum of his new music. The night promises to be a memorable celebration of his career and the emotional journey captured in Orpheus. Luke’s fans can look forward to an album that not only highlights his musical talent but also reflects his ongoing commitment to authenticity and emotional depth.
With deeply personal tracks that weave through themes of self-discovery, healing, and hope, Orpheus marks a new chapter for Luke, inviting listeners to join him on a powerful emotional journey.
Renowned Dublin Singer Songwriter, Luke Clerkin, is set to release his much anticipated debut album ‘Orpheus’ on January 31st. The album was recorded over a period of time between 2023 and 2024 and it was produced by Clerkin’s close friend and frequent collaborator, Gavin Doyle. It was recorded between Doyle’s home studio in Clondalkin, North Clondalkin Library and Block C Studios, with additional piano being recorded remotely in Iceland. It was mastered by Martin Quinn in Jam Studios in Kells. The album explores themes such as mental health, love, heartbreak, healing, and grief. The title comes from the Greek tale of Orpheus and Eurydice which Clerkin relates back to his own experience of love and heartbreak.
Talking about recording the album, Luke said ‘We spent a lot of time recording this album and trying to get it perfect but sometimes that’s what got in the way of things. It’s ironic because the theme of the album for me is about getting out of your own way, and honestly, if I kept trying to get it perfect, I probably wouldn’t be releasing it! We faced so many other hurdles trying to get it over the line, one of them being a repetitive strain injury that I picked up, which put me out of action for two months. Gav also had some personal tragedies occur in his life, so I’m very grateful that we got it done and finished.’
On the album itself Luke said: ‘When I was planning the album, I wanted it to have two halves, and I feel that’s the way it should be listened to. The first half has some of my oldest songs as well as some new ones written since Covid. The second half is almost like a concept piece as it explores my journey from an almost love, to something that never was, to the beginning of my first proper relationship and everything that comes with that, two songs for each person and situation. I’m very proud of this body of work and I think it really displays the kind of songwriter and singer that I am, more than anything that I’ve released before.’
‘Home’ – Song Bio
‘Home’ is the focus track from Luke Clerkin’s debut album ‘Orpheus’. It was recorded and produced by Gavin Doyle at his home studio in Clondalkin. It features beautiful vocals from Kilkenny singer songwriter, Bríd Lyons, alongside stunning string arrangements from cellist Matilde Lotti (Joy Cello), It also features bodhran by Kieran Kelly with Gavin Doyle adding extra instruments. The song is a duet between Clerkin and Lyon’s which focuses on the story of an older couple reminiscing on how they met in Temple Bar as buskers and how music and Dublin brought them together.
Talking about the song, Luke said ‘Home was written in 2015 when I’d been busking a lot in Temple Bar for a mental health charity called Teen-Line Ireland. I’d been playing with a group of musicians and fundraisers called the Never Alone Collective. It’s an ode to those times spent singing on the square, and it’s essentially a love song to Dublin itself. It’s about a couple looking back on the night that they met in Temple Bar whilst busking and how those were much simpler times.’
Talking about the recording, Luke added ‘I was very lucky to have Bríd Lyons sing with me on this recording as we’d been singing the song together for over 2 years, and her voice is incredible. Her music is quite trad influenced, so having her on the song really gives it that Irish folk feel! It initially wasn’t going to be on the album but after we sang it at an Arts Bubble event in June, I knew we had to do something with it. There were over 20 different nationalities present in the room that night, and there were people crying in the audience because of how much they connected to it. That moment really showed me how universal the song is and I feel that it was given a new life from then on!’