Renowned Belfast pop artist Gareth Dunlop releases his latest single, ‘Go Down Swinging’, out now on Zenith Cafe.
The track serves as another incredible preview into his highly anticipated third album, Welcome To The House Of I Don’t Know on June 14. During the release of this pivotal album, Dunlop will be on his UK headline tour, with a final show supporting Irish troubadour Damien Dempsey at the Iveagh Gardens, Dublin (July 20).
Crafted as a heartfelt message to Dunlop’s beloved daughter, Joanie, ‘Go Down Swinging’ stands as a beacon of guidance, urging her to confront life’s challenges head-on. Dunlop’s velvety vocals cascade over a tapestry of synth-driven melodies, channelling a blend of infectious energy and heartfelt sincerity; resulting in a strength-inspiring pop song that repeats in the mind long after listening.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the release, Gareth shares: “I wrote ‘Go Down Swinging’ for my daughter (Joanie)… She’d taken a knock to her confidence, and I wanted to write her something. I wanted her to have a song that told her exactly how I see her and something that empowers her to always stand her ground and never turn a blind eye to who she is.”
Listen to ‘Go Down Swinging’ by Gareth Dunlop on the Premier League Playlist on Spotify.
10-year-old Joanie is the star of the 80’s inspired official music video for ‘Go Down Swinging’, premiering on April 12. She reflects: “I was a bit nervous at first because I haven’t been in a music video before where I am the star, but it was so much fun getting to dress up and just go crazy on the stage. Dad and his band were being really funny and they did a really good job as well.”
This Third album was written during an intensely busy time for Dunlop, between tour dates with Foy Vance, Josh Turner, and Bonnie Raitt, performing at numerous showcases across the globe, songwriting sessions in Nashville, as well as contributing songs to the upcoming feature documentary about American author William Faulkner.
Amidst these whirlwind experiences, Dunlop and his band (also collaborative producers of the record) locked themselves into the studio to produce the cinematic grandeur that is Welcome To The House Of I Don’t Know; A blend of intimate vulnerability and inspirational synth-pop strength. Recent singles ‘Church’, ‘I Don’t Feel You’, and ‘All We’ll Ever Need’ garnered widespread acclaim and were featured in esteemed publications including Wonderland, Record of the Day, 1883, METAL, The Independent Newsletter, and Noctis, as well as making an appearance on the coveted Sunday Brunch playlist.
A musical journey that has been nothing short of extraordinary, Dunlop’s talent has been endorsed by a remarkable list of legendary artists that he has had the chance to perform with including Van Morrison, Snow Patrol, James Morrison, Stereophonics, Bonnie Raitt, Foy Vance, and Jeff Beck, among many others. With a growing following of over 130,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, his prowess as an artist continues to enthral audiences worldwide. Notably, his track ‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me’ stands as a testament to this, amassing almost 5 million streams.
Inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits, and Pink Floyd, Dunlop’s journey commenced at 14, as he strummed his guitar and shared his melodies across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the UK. His exceptional talent was recognised with the Young Songwriter of the Year award in Belfast in 2011, catapulting him into the international music scene and leading to collaborations with esteemed songwriters in Nashville.
