“A natural storyteller with the gift of connecting with you immediately” – Hot Press
With a string of acting credits to his name, multi-talented artist Niall McNamee steps back into the spotlight – this time with guitar in hand to release his long-awaited debut album Glass and Mirrors out now via his own label, Wellboy, distributed by Absolute. The result is a soaring, melodic collection shaped by the chaos, charm, and contradictions of Niall’s life as a struggling artist living in London.
Influenced by the likes The Pogues and Christy Moore but equally Oasis, Coldplay, Paul Brady and even Brian Wilson, Niall puts a modern twist on his Irish heritage, mixing the best of Celtic post-punk passion with a 21st century alt-rock perspective. “I’m a romantic football fan who writes songs,” says Niall, “Lyrically I often think to myself ‘this is what want to say, but how would Shane MacGown say it.”
“Hearing love stories from the traditional music I always listened to made life feel poetic”’ Niall explains. “The world is a tough place, so finding people who change it for the better is kind of remarkable. But also, there’s the backdrop of a big, loud, London, building sites, pints and parties. London’s a struggle, but it’s also epic. And I think there’s an epicness to Irishness and London that defines this album.”
The album opens with recent single ‘Clapham Wine,’ written for a friend following a horrendous breakup – right away, the music bares pure Celtic soul, from Niall’s brogue to the stomping rhythm and gorgeous guitars. Another previous single ‘Falling In Love for the Day’ similarly does so with the wild romance of planning a future with someone you’ve just met, and the pounding ‘Magpie With a Mullet’ is ready made for ceilidhs everywhere, complete with fiddle, bodhrán and penny whistle.
This debut album doesn’t just launch Niall’s music career it also brings a poignant close to his formative chapter, “I can almost trace my entire adult life through these songs. It’s been a long journey,” says Niall. “The scrapes and scratches, the ups and downs of being young and living in London. I sometimes wonder how many of my memories are so clear because I have songs about them. Would certain people and events be lost if I hadn’t written a song about it.”
Playing live is still a massive driving force for Niall. 2024 included a run of sold-out headline shows, as well as supporting slots for Melissa Etheridge, Louis Dunford and The Dubliners and festival appearances at Isle of Wight and Cambridge Folk Festival. Shortly after the album’s release will be a mammoth 24-date full-band tour of the UK and Ireland, beginning in Leicester on 16th October and finishing in London on 6th December.
“Between recording, writing and all the other aspects of being an artist, it’s the live shows I enjoy the most, and truthfully where I’m at my best. Myself and my band love the adventure of it. And we go at it hard, that’s what it was all for ultimately, to play music, travel about with your pals and have as much fun as possible.”
To find out where you can catch up with Niall and his friends on their adventures, check out their website & social media:
FIND NIALL MCNAMEE ONLINE:
UK & Ireland tour (tickets):
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