Singer/songwriter keeps flame lit on many fronts

Ultan Conlon is a long time in the game. One of the finest storytelling songwriters that Galway has produced, the Ahascragh native has measured himself across five studio albums, collaborated with artists like Mary Coughlan and John Martyn, and topped RTÉ Radio 1’s airplay charts eight times.

His latest single arrives this week. Recorded and produced by David Garza in Los Angeles, and featuring Fiona Apple’s band, Working for the Man is a new take on the nine to five, born out of respect for routine from someone who usually has to structure their own schedule.

Starting this Saturday in Mayo, Ultan will begin a run of gigs that will take him to the Róisín Dubh on September 15 and the Clifden Arts Festival on September 23.

“During the pandemic, when I couldn’t gig, I did an SNA course to be a special needs assistant,” he says.

“I ended up going into a lot of schools doing the Monday to Friday. It’s so many years I’m doing the music thing, I was really keen to see it from that point of view. When I had to be up and the alarm was set, and I had to jump out of the bed, I found it really enjoyable.

“Just getting up and having a chat with somebody in the morning. If you do what I do, you’re at home, you’re on emails – you’re doing your bit of organising and that. But you don’t have to shower immediately and get out the door.

“Sometimes that can have a negative effect. I saw people who were in that job moaning about it, and I suppose I could look at them and think jeez, you have it good.”

Variation may have been the main source of his positive outlook. Ultan points out that the song isn’t taking itself too seriously, but it is trying to spread a hopeful message. He does admit, “After a couple of months of it, I was like oh God, I get it. Luckily, I’d written the song in the honeymoon phase.”

“It’s a simple message about the drudgery or repetition of a job that we’d often perceive. Just to turn that around a little bit and appreciate what it does for you. The routine, bringing in the money and getting you out of your head – socialising with people. I suppose with what I do, it’s so up and down and I’ve busy periods and quiet periods.

Pictured: Ultan Conlon...Galway dates on back of new single.