New EP from James McGrath

Nenagh singer-songwriter James McGrath kick-started the new year with the release of a new four-track EP.

Titled ‘Cowboys & Neon Lights’, James’ latest EP was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. It is his first release under new US record label Shamrock Records.

The Nenagh man recorded the EP at Studio 302 Sound, run by his friend James Mechan, whom he met through mutual friend Stefan Murphy's band The Sleeveens. Their guitar player, Eli Steele, also plays on James' new EP.

The title track ‘Cowboys & Neon Lights’ is a tale about breaking out of bad habits and trying to follow that voice within. The second single on the EP, ‘Gratitude’, has an '80s feel to it, though it tackles modern world subjects like AI and dealing with so much information.

The third track, ‘Tennessee Time’ is a lament about two lovers struggling in their relationship, while closing number ‘Jameson’ is a song that deals with lonesomeness and destitution.

Last weekend saw James travel to Sweden to play at the Folk at Heart festival in Örebro. It was his first time in Scandinavia. He will soon be heading back Stateside and hopes to have more news to announce on his return to Nenagh.

The local musician took the opportunity to thank everyone in Nenagh for supporting him on what has been a long and eventful journey to date.

“It's great to have such home support,” James said. “I'm hoping you all will enjoy the new EP and, if you could, give it a download on iTunes or Spotify, and feel free to follow me on Facebook.”