Outsider

Crafting music mired deep within esoteric spiritual and philosophical concepts and evocative imagery is not usually the stuff of pop music, but for Irish multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Outsider (real name Seán Ó Corcoráin), this is what moves him… and aptly what makes his music nom de plume of ‘Outsider’ even more accurate. With music inspired by the likes of Joy Division, The Jesus & Mary Chain, and Bruce Springsteen, Outsider is quick to grab his audience’s attention through it’s infectious post-punk/alt-rock hooks while drawing them in with poetic lyricism.

Taking his name from an early childhood experience (he would not speak a word to anyone at school for the first year) and from Colin Wilson’s 1956 book, The Outsider (which examines the psyche of great artists and their place in society), Outsider is an apt moniker for his brand of metaphysical musical exploration. Simultaneously straddling post-punk/alt-rock roots with a mainstream immediacy sets him apart from the pack, and operating outside of of the realm of the local Dublin music scene further highlights his individuality.

Outsider’s debut album, Karma of Youth mastered by GRAMMY award-winning Greg Calbi (The National, War On Drugs, Arcade Fire) is a metaphysical roadmap for a lost soul, with textures and rhythms reminiscent of the darker reaches of alternative rock and pop. The album features singles “Saviour”, “Brotherhood O.A” and “Míol Mór Mara” ,the latter of which was included in FIFA 2018 (the first time the Irish language has ever been featured in mainstream gaming) and Match of the Day, yielding over two million streams. The album was named one of the ‘Best Albums of 2020’ by American Songwriter and introduced Outsider’s unique style to the world.

In December of 2020 Outsider followed up his debut with the 3-song EP Samhain Soon. Taking its name from Samhain, the pagan festival that was the original Halloween, these new songs draw inspiration from his childhood. Growing up politicized during the troubles in Ireland he grew up in a generation who were conditioned to hate the British Empire in rural Ireland, not to be confused with Dublin. “These are strange love songs,” states Outsider, with the release telling the story of two star crossed teenagers set in the early 1980’s.

Expect to see this OUTSIDER forge positive connections the world over in the near future.

Follow Outsider
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Releases: