photography by Iarla Scaife

We all know that time is relative. At times unbearable minutes can feel like hours and wonderful moments often seem no more than a flap of a butterfly’s wings. This is how the new song and video “Long Time” by Dublin based artist Luke Walsh, aka Walshy feels like to me. An ode to time and feelings. We talked to him about his new release, the foundation of his contentment and his favorite childhood memory.

Scrolling through your insta feed I have noticed that – especially lately – you like to spend time in nature. What does nature mean to you?

Yeah it’s essential for clearing the head. I do a lot of walking/daydreaming in the park beside where I live; particularly during busy/stressful times when there’s a load of burdens piled on the shoulders.

The video features Caterina Danzico – a great Italian dancer currently living in London. How did the collaboration come about? And what was the idea behind the visual?

I saw her featuring in the video for “Seen It All” by Everyone You Know, I thought that video was really cool, simple and free spirited which is the feeling I wanted for ‘Long Time’, so I just messaged her to see if she’d be up for it. I think she’s really talented at what she does so we decided to focus the whole video around her. I wanted the video to represent what it feels like to just do your own thing, to be really unique, not caring about what anyone else thinks around you. We had a few zoom calls beforehand and I was just telling Caterina that I wanted her to completely express herself in the choreography, not overthink it, and to dance like she doesn’t give a toss about anything going on around her.

You wrote “Long Time” during your time living in Leamington Spa. A time where you didn’t feel comfortable also, among other things, because you missed your friends. What do you need to feel happy in one place?

Yes it was mainly about one visit I had when I came back to Dublin and just bumped into an old friend, even though I last saw her two years ago there was a much better connection I felt than I had with anyone I met in England at that time.

I probably learned there that I do need to be around friends to some degree haha, not constantly but they should be in close enough proximity at least. There’s definitely an extroverted side to me where I do need to be around people/different events rather than just constantly working/in my room doing music. At the same time it was probably mainly my fault why I wasn’t feeling the best as we can always just choose to switch over our thoughts. I have a strong belief in God so he is the foundation of my contentment, the more I steer away from him the more unhappy I find myself.

“There’s definitely an extroverted side to me where I do need to be around people rather than just constantly working in my room doing music.”

Time is precious. But there are also moments when it’s important to simply let your soul wander without pursuing a goal or to always use your time “properly”. Do you agree?

Definitely. I think I’m fairly productive with my time, but even in my busiest periods I find there’s large parts of the day where I do absolutely nothing for hours. I think it’s definitely needed.

Your music blends different genres, but never loses the straight simplicity. Where does the love for the pleasant melodies and positive feelings come from?

I think simplicity can go a long way in every area. I didn’t want to overthink the melody or the lyrics with this song. It was pretty much written in 10 minutes then left untouched. I actually attempted to re-do the vocals on three different occasions but basically ended up scrapping the new takes and going back to the first.

For the most part I think when I try to add too much or only create something “for the sake of making it fit in/be musically acceptable” I shoot myself in the foot. I’m much better off honing in and listening to myself and what I want to express, then just use the tools in front of me to replicate that feeling as accurately as possible.

“I’m much better off honing in and listening to myself and what I want to express…”

The cover shows a picture of a child – that’s you, isn’t it? :) So, what is your best childhood memory?

It is indeed. I put myself there as a kid because I think the version of us as children is the best version of us, without all the big social pressures/influences/dream crushing. We’re just naturally fully expressive, original and happy. It’s an aspiring state of mind to aim towards as an adult.

Favourite childhood memory would probably be going to my friend’s house to play football. We used to go overboard with it and hold “press conferences” the night before and interview ourselves in twos sitting at a desk with desk lamps shining on us while wearing his Dad’s heavy jackets. The funniest thing was we always had someone setting off the iphone camera sound effect during the interviews, they’d be pressing it non stop with the sound full blast.
We had another person interviewing and the two on camera had to keep dead serious faces/act like their life depended on the match tomorrow morning.

Where do you hang out on a Saturday night in Dublin?

Depends where everyone else is going!

Where do you see yourself in about 10 years?

Again, depends where everyone else is going.

Thanks so much for your time!

Follow for more:
www.instagram.com/walshy
www.facebook.com/walshyire 
twitter.com/WalshyIRE
soundcloud.com/walshyire
walshyire.bandcamp.com/releases