Mike Dean Presents: Dermot Kennedy – EP – Dermot Kennedy

Equal parts rustic folk and soulful grit, Ireland’s Dermot Kennedy offers his own blend of passionate, introspective songwriting in a vein similar to fellow countryman and forebear Glen Hansard. A native of County Dublin, Kennedy began writing songs in his teens, eventually releasing the EP Dancing Under Red Skies in 2013. Honing his craft over the next few years, he found viral success with his single “After Rain,” which racked up millions of Spotify streams in 2016. Kennedy’s follow-up EP, 2017’s Doves & Ravens, signaled a more pop-oriented approach with contributions from some heavy-hitting industry players like co-songwriter Charlie Hugall (Låpsley, Florence + the Machine) and producers Stephen Kozmeniuk and Carey Willetts. ~ Timothy Monger