about
Praised by acclaimed and influential Irish musician, Damien Dempsey, and often likened to Hank Williams and Bruce Springsteen, Declan McLaughlin is a powerful Irish songwriter whose music captures working-class life with raw honesty, resilience, and spirit.
I have worked as a professional musician for large periods of my life, but mainly as just a weekend gigging player trying to make it work along with the day job. I can put my hand on my heart and say I have gotten more out of music than I could ever put in. Music has taken me around the world and to places that a skinny working class lad out of the Bogside could never have dreamed of.
Over the past two decades, Declan McLaughlin has built a loyal following across the globe through his relentless dedication to recording, touring, and releasing music. Following the lockdown, he returned to the stage with a fresh collection of songs and a new album, My Northern Soul, recorded in California with acclaimed producer Brian Brinkerhoff at Need To Know Records.
The album brought together a full band, including the legendary Scarlet Rivera – renowned for her work with Bob Dylan – whose violin added a distinctive edge to the record.
Back home in Derry, McLaughlin sought out musicians who could reinterpret the album’s energy into a more intimate and manageable live sound. By chance, Jennifer Kelly had just returned from Lancaster University, where she had trained in music and turned down a career in opera. Instead, she joined McLaughlin to refine his signature blend of dark, thought-provoking folk infused with wry humour. Together, they have carved out a unique space in the Irish music scene, fusing depth and playfulness in a way that resonates strongly with audiences.