A Quick Chat with The High Kings

Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’?
Brian Dunphy and I were hanging out with Oscar and Grammy winning composer/producer Ludwig Goransson in Los Angeles earlier this year and he played us some new pieces he was working on for the Warner Brothers movie SINNERS. We were blown away and after a while Ludwig asked us to add our lead vocals to two of the songs — The Rocky Road to Dublin and Will Ye Go Lassie Go?
Rocky Road blew up on a massive scale globally and it was inevitable that The High Kings re-recorded a new version to commemorate that, which has just been released last week. It’s already a huge hit.

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting?
Way too many to mention. Obviously Lennon & McCartney, Jeff Lynne, Lindsey Buckingham, Diesel, Jimmy Barnes, Andrew Farriss.
I like storytelling songs and I try to incorporate those influences into my songwriting if I can. If I can engage a listener with something I’ve written, that’s the best feeling.

What’s the creative process like for you?
I write a song or two every day. I have ideas running on a loop constantly in my head and I drop notes into my phone. Sometimes I spend whole days in my studio creating music. Mostly lyrics first, then music follows.

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be?
I’d move it closer to Ireland 😀

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet?
I’ve no idea at all. I’ve worked in the industry my whole adult life.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?
Rod Stewart.
Why?
I think his Celtic leanings would lend well to a collaboration with us.

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?
Get out there and gig! TikTok live is all well and good to develop numbers and get a following, but nothing beats getting in front of a live crowd and seeing the whites of their eyes.
Believe in yourself and your abilities. If you write your own music, never ever let anyone depreciate what you do.
Follow through if you know you’ve got something special.
Your manager works for you. Get them to ensure the piece you believe in is a hit! That’s their job.
You’re the artist and you should call your own shots.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met?
Billy Joel.
I played Billy for 4 years on Broadway in the rock musical Movin’ Out. He trained me for the role at the start and gave me pointers regarding dialogue and piano playing etc.
It was by far the highlight of my career working with an icon.

Any plans for a tour on the cards?
We will be over to Australia in September. The tour is almost sold out so don’t delay. Grab your tickets now.
Thurs 11 Sept – Princess Theatre – Brisbane, QLD – Tickets
Fri 12 Sept – Enmore Theatre – Sydney, NSW – Tickets
Sat 13 Sept – Northcote Theatre – Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT
Thurs 18 Sept – The Gov – Adelaide, SA – Tickets
Fri 19 Sept – Rosemont Hotel – Perth, WA – SOLD OUT
Sat 20 Sept – Freo Social – Fremantle, WA – Tickets