Former member of the critically acclaimed Wexford band Salthouse, in 2009 Niall Colfer released his first solo album, entitled Finds , on legendary independent Dublin label 1969 Records.
This was followed by a period of gigging to promote the album with acts such as The Proclaimers (who he supported on a memorable night in Dublin’s National Concert Hall) and The House of Love.
Track Of The Day: Irish artist Niall Colfer releases new single ‘The Last Lighthouse Keeper’
When on tour with American Music Club singer, Mark Eitzel, Niall was introduced to the man who would provide the sonic template for the new songs he had been writing.
This was Sean Coleman, a producer and multi-instrumentalist who had spent two decades in San Francisco recording and playing with such artists as Eels, Kelly Stolz, American Music Club and members of Wilco. The two began to record together soon after.
The first fruits of these sessions was released in the form of an EP entitled Before the night goes in 2014 with an album released under the Dovecote moniker, in 2016.
This eponymous album received radio play on all the major Irish stations (including the prestigious ‘Album of the Week’ on RTE Radio 1), as well being the focus of features in Hot Press, the Irish Independent and the Arena show on RTE Radio 1. This was followed by invitations to play the famous Other Voices festival in Dingle and the Windmill Lane Sessions.
In 2015 Niall’s song ‘After all that’s happened’ featured heavily in the film ‘Poison Pen’, which was screened at the film festivals in Ireland, Europe (Luxembourg) and the USA (New York, Virginia, Chicago).
Originally from Wexford, Niall lives in Dublin and is an archaeologist. Never one to rush creativity, Niall has now written his next album, which will be released in Spring 2024. The first song to be released from the upcoming album is ‘The Last House Keeper’. This was recorded and produced by Sean Coleman at Old County Studios, Dublin, and features Graham Hopkins (The Frames, Glen Hansard, Dolores O’Riordan, Therapy?), on drums with Niall and Sean sharing the rest of the instrumentation duties.
This song is about looking out for people in a world that is uncertain and never staying still. The lyrics were inspired by memories of his childhood when he accompanied his father to visit the lighthouse keepers at Hood Head lighthouse and the image of the moving light shining out to sea at night time.
Check out the video for ‘The Last Lighthouse Keeper from Niall Colfer below