Roe Byrne – Set Me On Fire

By starrymag | March 9, 2023

By: Dianca Yssel

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I write in a lot of different styles, but when it comes to production, I love a song with big drums and a really big sounding chorus. Something that makes you feel euphoric when the chorus hits as you can feel the rise in the pre-chorus. Just an all-around feeling of “goodness” is what I strive for!

Q) Some of your music influences are Dermot Kennedy, Hozier and Novo Amor. What about their music resonates with you and how has this inspired your own music?

A) Again, that build to a huge chorus that I use in my own songs is something I really enjoy. With Dermot Kennedy and Novo Amor, they really know how to draw you in and get you hooked for the next part of the song. With Hozier, his lyrics are just so beautiful and complex it really inspires me to get more creative with lyrics and have fun with them.

Q) You are described as a rising star of the Dublin busking scene, a staple of Grafton Street. How did you go from busking to starting a promising career in the world of mainstream music?

A) Busking is where I found my passion for performing and singing. It made me realize that people actually want to hear my voice and listen to my words. When I started busking, I had no confidence in myself at all, but over the years you grow into it and you start to realize that no matter what you do, people are doing to judge, so why not just do what you love! I started posting covers on Instagram and YouTube in 2018 when I was thirteen years old and in the last year, with more regular uploads, things just started taking off! Along with a lot a practice and dedication, if I didn’t have my very supportive parents backing me the whole way, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing right now. Long story short, hard work, dedication and always trying to better yourself week after week has landing me in a very nice position to start 2023 with a bang!

Q) Congratulations on your new single “Set Me on Fire.” How did it come about and what themes does it speak to?

A) The song is about being in a relationship, whether that be a romantic or platonic relationship, and the person just not being very good for you. Most of the time you don’t realize that that relationship was bad, until you find yourself in a relationship that is a million times better and brings out the best in you. The line “I finally found the one who will set me free” kind of ties these two themes together. It’s as if you’re stuck to the former person, until someone comes and shows you how a real friendship or relationship should be.

Q) What has the fan response been to “Set Me on Fire?”

A) I’ve had this song in my back pocket for about two years, so a lot of people who’ve been following me for a while were very excited!! Overall, it’s been a very positive release. It’s definitely the one I’m most proud of so far.

Q) What is your creative process for writing songs? Do you need lyrics before adding music?

A) I usually pick chords first and then say the first thing that comes out of my mouth. If it sounds even a little bit good, it gets written down and re-worded so it’s not so cheesy!
It depends on if I’m writing in my own or with others. The process changes depending on mood or even time of day!

Q) Do you have much of a hand in the production side of your music?

A) I have about a pinch in the production side of music! I can make a very simple guitar, vocal, drum demo but anything further than that, I’d need to take it to a studio! I’d love to learn a lot more about it. But, for now, I’m just working on the writing & preforming side of it.

Q) What advice can you give to other buskers looking to break into mainstream music?

A) Keep posting your stuff on social media. Get yourself out there as much as possible, let yourself be heard, don’t put a limit on yourself.

Q) This is your leaving cert and college year. How have you managed to balance schoolwork and building your music career?

A) It’s definitely not been easy, but I got my points for college and I’m really enjoying my course. My college is very understanding about taking days off for gigs which has made everything a lot easier!

Q) You played your first ever headline show at The Sound House this January. Tell us about that experience, how different is it from playing for a busking audience?

A) The difference is absolutely huge. As I said before, I love preforming and when you’re busking it’s always questionable if you’re going to be preforming in front of two hundred people or two. Sometimes that’s a good thing, it gives you an opportunity to test new songs and sing songs that you normally wouldn’t, but with my headline gig, I knew how many was coming, I knew they all wanted to be there (which is always a fear with busking, it’s a very vulnerable position to be as people have no choice but to hear your voice as they walk past) and the energy was just incredible. It’s genuinely something I will never forget.

Q) Do you have a song that you particularly enjoy playing live?

A) “Set Me on Fire” is definitely my favorite song to sing with the full band. It just has a completely different feel when it’s preformed live.

Q) Are you currently working on new music? If so, is there anything you can tease about it?

A) I’m always working on something!! I hope to have two singles released before summer and maybe a possible EP following on to that …

Q) What artists would you like to collaborate with in future?

A) Obviously, my dream collab would be with Dermot Kennedy. I’d love to write a song with him or even just sing a song with him at some stage. He was the reason I got in to songwriting in the first place, which is why he holds such a special place in my development as an artist.

Q) Do you have any upcoming gigs?

A) So many!! I’m supporting Isaac Butler in Whelans on the 31st of March, Lea Heart in the Olympia on the 2nd of April, and I’m going on tour with Skinny Living for four dates of their Irish tour in May!!

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) Thank you. Every listen, stream, share or even just a look at a video of mine, means the world. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

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