Of Yma, In Two Places

Dear Friends,

I know friends who have a strong connection to one place whilst living in another. I’ve experienced this myself when living in different parts of the world… it can be a time when you feel connected to home, ironically. 

The idea of having feet in two locations is something which echoes in my music. Sligo and Dublin are both places that awaken something in me; the one in stillness, the other in its night alive. 
 

I think this kind of duality can be a very nourishing thing. I had it when growing up - living in Sligo but frequently going to see family in Dublin and Galway (I guess that makes three places! Maybe a triad, trinity or trio!?). 

This little video uses a song called ‘Yma’ which is buried deep on my album ‘The Soft Animal’. Even more on that another time.

P

'Last Days' at The Annesley House

December 3, 2025

Dear Reader,

Thank you for dropping by.

Here is a video for a song called ‘Last Days’. It was filmed by Alek Nowak and Ewa Respond at our recent gig in Annesley House on November 29th 2025.

A very big thank you to Ewa and Alek for their beautiful film.

Alek and I had been talking about making something together and when we put our heads together we thought this would be a good chance. So we recorded the gig live, with some help from Jackie at the venue and now have a little keepsake of the show. We hope you enjoy the film and the music from me, Enda, Billy and Morgan.

P

Of Light and Dark (December 31st 2025)

Hi there,

I knew a man who once got into a lot of debt through gambling. In several ways his life grew chaotic. He was also a very good artist though, and when he performed he was so compelling and very funny. I guess he just had a wild fire in him.

This song is about being in a dark place but finding moments of light in spite of such a situation. It’s about not letting go of a higher aspiration or ambition.

Thank you for sharing your year with me in whatever capacity you did: in music, in gigs, in family, in work, professionally or unprofessionally, from a distance or up close. I love to share my days with you. 

2025 was a good one personally and musically..I released the ambient EP The Falls which you may have heard, moved house with my dear family, had some great gigs, saw some great gigs, (think Warren Ellis at Vicar St was the highlight), read some very decent books, did the Dublin marathon (falling just outside my target!) and so, and so and so into next year....what are your ideas, plans, projects, vague notions? I’d love to hear. 

I hope to develop this newsletter connection in 2026...we'll see how we go. 

Wishing you good fortune and buoyancy, 

P