Jack O’ Rourke’s making tracks (again)

The new single follows the success of recent releases ‘Opera on the Top Floor’, ‘Patsy Cline’ and the Choice Prize Song of the Year nominated ‘Sea Swimming’, all of which are off his latest album ‘Wild Place’.

Recorded entirely in the Triskel, ‘Wild Place’ explores links between literature and nature while Jack returns to piano and his folk, blues and ballad roots. The album’s tracks succeed in keeping the story at the centre of the song, with tales of inspiration, the wildness of love, and healing from grief.

Described as “a slice of romanticism” (John Meagher - Irish Independent), ‘Runaway Train’ tells the story of a reunion following a long period of absence.

“The journey from Kent Station in Cork to Dublin has always seemed like a movie reel when looking out the window,” says Jack.

“There’s folk and piano ballad elements to the song, but I was inspired by The National and particularly, Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen’s song ‘Like I Used To’, so there’s a bit of an ‘80s rock banger element in the melody of the chorus. I recorded it on an old piano on the Triskel like the rest of ‘Wild Place’ and it features Hugh Dillon on dreamy Daniel Lanois-inspired guitars and Aisling Fitzpatrick on cello.”

Jack is soon set to depart these shores to take up a writing residency at Centre Culturel Irlandaise in Paris, where he will be working on a concept album about Roger Casement and LGBT figures from Irish literature who lived in Paris.

The Cork songwriter also has a number of upcoming shows, along with a new video that will accompany ‘Runaway Train’, as well as recently recording a tribute to Paul McCartney with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra..

Jack’s upcoming shows include Centre Culturel Irlandaise, Paris, on 12 July; Liberty Hall, Dublin, on 10 September; and Sea Church, Ballycotton, Cork, on 9 October.

‘Runaway Train’ is released on 15 July.