Deeply saddened to hear of Glen Hansard’s passing. I never knew him personally unlike some of my friends in the musical community but Glen was an influence from the very beginning… the roots go deep. Those early shows were like something secret and special, Glen was always around, he’d ask for directions to the Woolen Mills for an interview, he’d share a bottle of absinthe with the whole crowd, we’d listen to For the Birds for our mornings and Fitzcaraldo for our nights. When For The Birds charted it felt like we’d qualified for the World Cup and when Falling Slowly won the Oscar it was like we all won! He seemed to give everyone a shot..he’d listen to a demo, reply to fans’ text messages on his phone, help newbies phrase a lyric, come to your show…

In 2022 at Electric Picnic we were playing at Spike Island which was pitched up beside the drama group Footsbarn. Glen was playing with them and I got the feeling he was very much enjoying his turn as a backing musician (playing mandolin and wearing a sort of incognito elf hat over his eyes). We got talking over the course of the day. I remember him saying he was ready for fatherhood and that’s so sad to think of now. At a certain point I commented to him how my first band had sent him a CD and that he had written back to say ‘do it for the metal’. He laughed to hear I was still releasing albums 25 years later. When I told him sincerely that he was a huge influence I felt him grow a bit uncomfortable with the compliment and I kind of regretted it. I think he just wanted to talk to the neighbour in the EP village. But I don’t regret it now. Glen asked what time our show was and said he’d come. I thought he wouldn’t but sure enough about half way through the set he walked in and stood to the side of the stage and listened to us play, smiling and nodding along. Beautiful.

So sad that we’ve lost such a giant of songwriting. Thanks for the vision and inspiration and songs. Thoughts and prayers with his family, friends and musical community. RIP.