Derry singer-songwriter hopes to Rise up the charts with 1916 song

DERRY SINGER-SONGWRITER Declan McLaughlin will release his new single on the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising at 19:16pm on Tuesday evening.

The singer debuted the song at the Sinn Féin Cúige Uladh AGM in the Millennium Forum earlier this year and footage of it went viral on social media.

Declan says the song is about his perception of the effect the Easter Rising has had on later generations.

“I've tried to address the aspirations of that generation at a time of great upheaval around the world.

“I wanted it to be respectful but also to question where we are at now to where are we going as a nation. Relationships between countries, communities and people have changed since 1916.

“I think there is a lot to be celebrated but a lot more to achieve. With an understanding and a respect of the sacrifice that has been made by that generation across the island, we can keep making progress even when it is difficult.

“My work has alway tried to deal with the subjects that surround me. Politics and class are the areas that I find interesting so my music reflects it.”

Declan says he he received that so much positive feedback across the board that he decided to put the song out as a download single.

The song will be available on iTunes and can be downloaded at https://itun.es/gb/qf52ab

● Declan has been gaining a name for himself after releasing the album The Hi-Flats and lately, touring all over Ireland alongside the likes of Damien Dempsey and Christy Moore and performing at last year's Other Voices festival.