The Budapest Bardroom

Niall Connolly is one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging songwriters. His debut album ‘Songs from a Corner’ (2001) went to number one in the Hot Press indie charts and helped Connolly build a loyal fan base in Ireland as well as affording him the opportunity to tour Britain and mainland Europe. His follow up ‘as tomorrow creeps from the east’ (2003) opened further doors for him. Niall will play at the Bardroom on December 2.

1. What was the first song you wrote, and how bad was it?

“I wrote my first song in the backseat of my parents Fiesta at the start of a 200 mile drive to my grandparents’ house. I was four. It went ‘How many more miles, how many minutes?Tell me quick or I’ll be sick.’ It lasted the entire journey.”

2. Are you currently working on anything, and why’s it taking so long?

“Yes, I am always working on something. I like to take my time and bring the best out of everything I write.”

3. Do you actually have moments of inspiration or is writing just a process of slogging day in and day out?

“The old cliche of, the more I practice the luckier I get. I am always on the look out for inspiration in the tiniest things so the more I slog at it the more I find.”

4. Name a writer/poet who you’d be most psyched to see show up at your Bardroom gig and how would you return the compliment if he/she liked your set?

“Leonard Cohen. John Steinbeck.

Thank you Mr. Cohen / Thank you Mr. Steinbeck.”

5. What would you have been if you hadn’t become a songwriter?

“A postman.”