Limerick guitarist and singer/songwriter Sean O’Meara joins us this week when he plays the Upstairs venue on Thursday, October 24th.
Dolans took some time out to chat with Sean about his influences and what he has been up to lately.
Sean has been playing and recording for the last seven years, working with a mix of rock, pop and traditional Irish music. A past winner of the All-Ireland Fleadh and the first person ever to play Amhrán na bhFiann in Belfast City Hall, Sean has already had many highlights in a career that is tipped to go places.
Growing up in a musical family, Sean was encouraged to perform from an early age.
“My mother is a music teacher and my dad plays guitar and sings so they were highly supportive of my interest in music. They sent me to violin lessons when I was young and although I completed 7 grades, I never loved it. I always had an interest in music and I loved singing, but it wasn’t until I saw School of Rock that I discovered rock music”, he says.
“I must have watched it hundreds of times and I learned all the songs on it on my dad’s acoustic. I got an electric guitar for Christmas and I used to take my parents CDs and would play along with them as if I were on a stage in front of thousands of people”.
Sean says he is mostly self-taught. “We had a guitar book at home with all the chords and a few songs in it. I spent a lot of time learning everything in it. I used standard tuning for years, and now play mainly DADGAD”.
“A great guitarist, Seán Óg Graham from Beoga introduced me to and gave me two lessons in DADGAD. He also gave me a CD of Trad band; Solas and told me to learn the tracks. After that, I started going to the Willie Clancy festival in Miltown Malbay as well as the Fleadhs. I learned how to adapt and play with different styles of players.
Seán’s career to date has seen him perform with various bands and shows including opening for acts David Gray, Cory Wong and Hermitage Green.
“I would describe my style as a mix between folk, rock and pop. It makes sense because those are what my background roots are in. Growing up, I was influenced by the Eagles, Dire Straights, Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton. In terms of Irish acts, I’m a big fan of Fionn Regan and James Vincent McMorrow”.
Sean’s debut single ‘Blew My Cover’ was described as ‘showcasing accomplished playing and his pop music instincts to create a strong, memorable song all delivered in his warm distinctive tones’.
Sean notes that the release of this single was one of the proudest moments of his career to date.
Sean says he draws influence for new pieces from what he likes to listen to in a song, Aspects such structure and chords play a big part in his creative process.
“Usually I would start writing a song with chords. The melody usually then follows and then the lyrics seem to write themselves. This isn’t always the case though. Sometimes I’ll have a hook in my head that I’ll put to music or sometimes I’ll have a lyric that I like and start building a song around”, he says.
Sean with the guys from Boxing Banjo
As a Limerick artist, Sean is keen to stress the impact Limerick artists currently making on the Irish music scene.
“It’s booming! And it’s amazing to see”, he says.
“There’s an incredible level of talent in Limerick and it’s getting stronger every day. What really makes it thrive is the support that we have for one another. It means the world when you see musicians that you respect, wanting you to succeed. Limerick is one of the top spots around for music. Look at vast number of bands and acts who come here to play and share in the vibe down here.
Everyone I know that’s played in Limerick, wants to come back ASAP. We’re incredibly lucky to have the Dolan’s running such an amazing operation here. This year Dolans presents hosted events in King Johns Castle and the Docklands Concert Series. It’s hard not to feel inspired when you have such events taking place”.
2019 has been a very busy year so far for Sean O’Meara. He has released three singles, travelled to six countries and is scheduled to hit China in three weeks for another tour. All of this in a year that has also seen him play gigs across Ireland whilst fitting in time to teach kids and teenagers how to play the guitar and ukulele!
So what can we expect from Sean O’Meara in 2020?
“I have big plans but my main focus is to work on the creation of my album and the planning of tour”, he says.
“I’m also going to be recording, gigging and touring with a few bands including The Ollam, Boxing Banjo and some others. I’m excited for the year ahead. If 2020 is as good a year as 2019 I will be doing well!!”
Sean O’Meara joins us Upstairs at Dolans this Thursday, October 24th. Tickets are on sale here