INTERVIEW: Declan O Rourke IRISH singer-songwriter Declan O Rourke has signed to major label V2 (part of Virgin Records). Now on tour throughout Europe supporting The Divine Comedy, I managed to catch a few words with O Rourke at The Junction in Cambridge

INTERVIEW: Declan O'Rourke

IRISH singer-songwriter Declan O'Rourke has signed to major label V2 (part of Virgin Records).

Now on tour throughout Europe supporting The Divine Comedy, I managed to catch a few words with O'Rourke at The Junction in Cambridge last week.

Sat in the dressing rooms at the Junction, it's instantly clear that O'Rourke is a little nervous. His modest, intelligent responses in our conversation made a refreshing change from the average "about to be huge" arrogant rockstar-to-be. Passionate about his influences, which range from the classic songwriters Randy Newman and Bob Dylan to traditional Irish songwriters and indie heroes Snow Patrol, O'Rourke has spent the past five years gigging, always searching for that elusive big break.

While politics have crept in to his songwriting, the main subject of his lyrical lines remains relationships, especially in his debut long player, Since Kyabram. O'Rourke tells me, "It's very realistic as regards to my feelings. There's a lot of hope in most of the songs."

Since Kyabram oozes with the maturity you would hope for from an artist who's been tailoring his craft for a fair amount of time; never afraid to slow things down, reverting back to traditional, basic chord structures if need be, but with a much deeper, darker undercurrent for those who wish to look further.

Heading for bigger things, but never forgetting his manners, O'Rourke tells me he thinks Cambridge is a "lovely town" before heading off to soundcheck. His set on the night is as brilliant as expected, and I now full expect him to return to this venue as a headlining act in the very near future. You heard it here first.

RICHARD PAUL