Orion’s stars align for Joey in lockdown
MUSICIANS and songwriters, by nature, are a resilient bunch.
That’s possibly because euphoria and despair in equal measure can provide the inspiration for the creative flair that affords such people a platform to express themselves and provide an avenue of release.
County Wexford has produced its fair share of brilliant musicians many of whom have furrowed a path slightly under the mainstream radar but enjoying the plaudits of many reputable names within the industry.
One of those is Joey Ryan, from Enniscorthy, who for the last couple of years has been building an enviable reputation from himself on the mainland European continent under the name Orion.
A multi-instrumentalist he has been performing his own original songs for over a decade and released his debut album, ‘Morning Will Come Soon, to critical acclaim in 2012.
His charitable nature was exemplified in 2014 with the release of his EP, ‘Redefine’ in 2014 which included the single, ‘Stay Strong’, which was released to raise funds for Breast Cancer Ireland.
The song also topped the Irish iTunes rock chart on the day of its release.
Joey’s ‘Fall Through the Night’ LP, in 2016, brought him a lot of airplay in Ireland through the single, ‘ Tenderly’.
That album release culminated in a 25date headline tour of Germany alongside support slots with acts like David Ryan Harris, from the Dave Matthews Band.
Now based in Berlin, Germany, the blues influenced rocker has released a number of critically acclaimed CDs and this newspaper caught up with him to find out what life is like on lockdown living in one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Thinking back to St Patrick’s Day he said it was one of the strangest ones he ever experienced and was especially significant for him because his annual St Patrick’s Day show in Berlin is one he always looks forward to.
‘It was a crazy St Patrick’s Day here,’ he said.
‘Sadly my annual Patrick’s day show in the best bar in town, Badfish, was cancelled due to the pub closures,’ he added.
However, in the interim, the same as other working musicians all over Ireland and Europe the live gigs have been all cancelled.
‘Much like Ireland, we are dealing with a complete shut down of everything from bars to shopping centre’s, gyms, and schools,’ he said.
Further restrictions imposed by the German authorities means that even public transport has been running on very reduced services while restaurants, pharmacies, supply stores, banks and petrol stations were the last businesses to close or have reduced opening measures implemented.
‘It’s affected me a lot as I was just about to undertake a five show tour in Poland, which of course has been cancelled,’ said Joey.
He’s also not holding out hope for a planned tour of Germany next month: ‘I’m expecting a German tour in May to also be postponed.’
However, in keeping with his optimistic and positive nature he’s looking forward rather then back and in so doing is thinking about what might lay ahead rather than lament the opportunities lost at the moment.
‘If all these restrictions and the welcome warmth of spring work to phase out the virus more quickly then it will be worth it,’ he said.
He’s also planning on releasing new music as soon as the opportunity arises - which will include a batch of new songs.
‘Hopefully when this time passes I will be back on track to release my new EP and singles, which I have been busy preparing and recording up until now,’ he said.
However, there is no escaping the financial impact that a lack of work will have.
‘ There might be a little delay due to strained finances for the next few weeks,’ he said.
However, always one to face a challenge he went on to say: ‘I am more determined than ever to get this music out over summer and autumn this year.’