Dermot Kennedy
Biography
Dermot Joseph Kennedy, born on December 13, 1991, is a singer and songwriter from Rathcoole, County Dublin, Ireland. He began playing the guitar at age 10 and started writing songs at 14. However, it wasn't until he was 17 that he began to take his music career seriously, performing at open mic nights in Dublin with his father's support and busking on the city streets. He also studied classical music at Maynooth University for three years.
Career Beginnings
Kennedy's career started with him busking in Dublin and even traveling to cities like Boston to perform. A significant early step was winning The South County Song contest, which was attended by music industry professionals. He also had the opportunity to open for acclaimed Irish musician Glen Hansard. For a time, he was part of a band called Shadows and Dust, which disbanded in 2015. His solo career gained significant traction after he was featured on Spotify's Discover Weekly playlist, leading to a massive increase in listeners. His 2017 EP, "Doves & Ravens," showcased a more pop-oriented sound.
Rise to Fame
Kennedy's music is a blend of folk, pop, and hip-hop influences. He gained widespread recognition with singles like "Power Over Me" and the 2019 hit "Outnumbered," which performed well on international charts. His debut major-label studio album, "Without Fear," was released on October 4, 2019, and became the best-selling debut album of the millennium in Ireland, reaching number one in both Ireland and the UK. The album featured many of his previously written songs. In 2020, he was nominated for the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist.
Musical Style and Influences
Kennedy's distinctive sound combines the storytelling of folk music with elements of hip-hop and the emotional delivery of soul. He has cited artists like Ray LaMontagne, David Gray, Damien Rice, and Glen Hansard as inspirations for his folk style. His songwriting is often described as poetic and emotive, with a grainy, melancholy voice that can build to a powerful rasp.
Subsequent Success
Following his debut, Kennedy released his second studio album, "Sonder," on November 18, 2022. The album, which features singles like "Better Days" and "Something to Someone," also topped the charts in Ireland and the UK. He won the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Irish Song of the Year in 2021 for "Better Days". He has collaborated with artists like Meduza on the 2020 single "Paradise" and contributed a cover of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" to the charity album "The Metallica Blacklist" in 2021.
Philanthropy
Kennedy has been involved in several charitable efforts. In early 2020, he was part of the "Songs For Australia" album to raise money for bushfire recovery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he participated in Billboard's "Live At-Home" concert to benefit Housing Works and organized his own virtual concert, "Sound Waves," to support the WHO's Solidarity Response Fund.