Ultan hails from Loughrea in Co. Galway. There is not much detail about his early career. Suffice to say that by 2005 he was gigging with John Conneely under the guise of UltanJohn. In August 2005 UltanJohn were supporting John Martyn at the Cork Opera House. John was impressed enough with UltanJohn to request to join them in their recording session. The resultant piece "Really Gone” (below) was Martyn’s last single released in 2006 before he died in January 2009. Ultan ended up contributing a track to the John Martyn tribute album which was released in 2011.
Ultan released his début solo album in 2009. Titled "Bless Your Heart" it is composed of 10 tracks of a mix of gentle folk, americana with musings on love, relationships and life. Ultan cites his influences as Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, one of my favourite artists Grant lee Buffalo and Ron Sexsmith. Of those comparisons with Ron Sexsmith come to mind; the soothing voice, the exceptional lyrics and the strong arrangements. "The Will" is a perfect example of this. Gentle moving along with no major hook but still capable of getting under one's skin.
His Youtube channel has the greater collection of his music for streaming. I am a particular fan of this unreleased version of the title track from the album. Containing some heavy guitars and one soaring solo, it is raw, raging, heavy alt-country and very good.
If you are intrigued, you can purchase "Bless Your Heart" here as well as get a copy of the single "The Will". Since the debut album has been released, Ultan has been touring as well as working on the soundtrack for the film 'Seven Songs for Amy". It looks like that this year will see the release of the follow-up to "Bless Your Heart". "Songs of Love So Cruel" should see daylight sometime this year. In the meantime, there is his official website to look at here or alternatively the Facebook.
Photo: Advertiser.ie Aoife Boylan
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