Recording Album 2 with the RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin

Recording Album Two in Dublin: A Journey of Strength, Sound, and Story

There are moments in an artist’s life that feel suspended in time—rare pockets where craft, camaraderie, and purpose align so perfectly that the work seems to take on a life of its own. Recording my second album in Dublin with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra was one of those moments.

This project was particularly meaningful because the RTÉ Concert Orchestra commissioned the recording, a gesture that still humbles me each time I think about it. Their belief in my work set the tone for what would become two unforgettable days at the National Concert Hall—days filled with music, laughter, stories, and a profound sense of collective energy.

We spent two full days in the studio with the orchestra, moving through the sessions with astonishing speed. The professionalism of every musician there was breathtaking. They absorbed pages of intricate scores, shifting instantly between moods and motifs, and delivered takes of such precision that we often found ourselves ready to move on before anyone expected. These players know how to breathe life into a composition from the very first bar.

And overseeing it all—guiding, encouraging, and occasionally provoking fits of laughter—was Guy Barker. His presence is its own kind of magic. Guy has an uncanny ability to balance seriousness with a lightness that instantly puts everyone at ease. His stories—often half-whispered between takes—rippled across the orchestra, triggering those collective bursts of laughter only musicians truly understand. Under his watchful eye, the sessions were not only efficient but genuinely joyful.

Between cues and playback sessions, we even managed to sneak in a taste of Dublin: oysters, Guinness, and a proper Irish stew that warmed us all after long hours of concentrated work. Those little moments of shared food and shared breath were the invisible glue of the trip—the things that make an ensemble feel like a family.

We also brought in additional performers to complete the sonic architecture of the record. Their contributions added texture, colour, and emotional weight to the album, ensuring each track stood boldly on its own.

Across these sessions we recorded The Lake, The Obsessives, Congruence, Contradiction, and The Battle Cry—five pieces that form the emotional heart of this second album. Unlike my first record, which delved into the internal struggle—the quiet wars, the whispered resilience—this new album moves outward. It is the sound of what happens once strength has been gathered. It is preparation, readiness, forward motion. If the first album was the inner fight, this one is the moment you rise, step out, and face the world.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of my greatest friend Guy, Andrew Smith and Mary Sexton, to whom I owe my deepest thanks. Their belief in this project helped bring every note, every instrument, every moment of this album to life.

The music is now in its final stages, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Album Two is coming soon.