Dermot has epic rethink
HE’S GONE BACK TO BASICS
DERMOT Kennedy is keeping it simple on his new LP – because he doesn’t feel the need to make grand gestures anymore.
His multi-platinum debut album Without Fear was full of epic ballads, but the Irish star is trying to get back to basics on his new second album Sonder.
Dermot told me: “I’ve got a lot of songs that feel epic.
“That comes from when I read all the time as a kid.
“I was obsessed by books that were epic sagas, and I wanted my songs to sound like that.
“But, recently, I like the idea that love isn’t all grand gestures and dramatic proclamations – it’s just about being there for somebody.”
Dermot cites new song Dreamer as an example of how he’s cutting loose in his music.
He explained: “Dreamer is more direct and I get to be playful in that song.
“There’s a line in there about needing to show up more, and that’s true of me.
“I’m late, every single time. “If I say I’m going to be there at 12.30, my friends all plan that I’ll arrive at one.”
The star goes on an arena tour from March 31, ending with a London O2 show on April 14.
But he wants to keep in touch with fans as much as he can.
Dermot insisted: “I work hard at not becoming blasé about what fans say.
“It’s important to remember people aren’t just a username, that their stories are real.
“I benefit from fans as much as they do from me.
“I’ve had stories of how my songs have been played at funerals. It’s sobering that that’s how much your music means to people.
“I’d be lying if I said the effect my songs can have isn’t on my mind when I make music.
“But I take that as a positive.
“I spent enough time shouting into the void, trying to get people to listen to my music.
“So now, if I have a thought I think will resonate with people, I get excited that people will take notice.”
Dermot’s album title Sonder means an awareness that other people are sharing the same problems. He admitted: “It’s easy to get obsessed with my own life. But I don’t want to do that.
“I want to experience real life, not get stuck in the world of my career.”