A Cork singer-songwriter has been tipped for global success as he impressed on an Australian TV show this morning.
North Cork native Darren Kiely was hailed as "the next Ed Sheeran" as he gave a live performance on The Project, a popular news show on Channel 10 Australia. He appeared on the show this morning to promote his music and first Australian tour.
He was on the telly within hours of touching down in Oz, and told the show that being on tour there "is amazing."
When asked how he felt about being compared to the likes of guitar singers like Ed Sheeran, Darren said: "Obviously, Ed Sheeran was one of my inspirations growing up."
"The first guitar I got was a little mini Ed Sheeran one, everyone wanted to be Ed Sheeran growing up so it's lovely to be mentioned - but I think I've a ways to go!" he said.
Twenty-seven-year-old Darren grew up in Millstreet and went to the University of Limerick, before moving to the US in 2022 to pursue his music career. He is now based in Nashville after signing with a manager there. He said that when he first moved he was in New York, juggling a day job and playing in "mostly Irish bars" in the city while trying to write and record his own music.
"I just started putting out music really, from about two-and-a-half or three years ago."
He added that the huge risk he took to leave Ireland to chase his dreams in the States was like having a "clean slate" to focus on his career.
"Honestly it was kind of like a clean slate when I didn't do music all the time growing up. I was kind of like 'alright, I'm a new person.'
"Something about America was kind of exciting. A lot of Irish people, they come here (to Australia) but they go to America too and there's something inspiring about that. So I was like 'clean slate, new place, let's see what happens.'"
TV host Susie Youssef asked Darren about his family and growing up in "beautiful Cork" and added that "the last time I was in Cork I think I was eating from Abrekebabra on Patrick's Street, which I'll never forget and that is grim."
Darren joked he would give the panel his best food recommendations for the next time they are in the Rebel County. He said that his family have been hugely supportive throughout the "whirlwind journey" and often travels to watch him perform.
The talented Corkman then gave a live rendition of his song Without You, I Have No Home – much to the delight of the studio.
Darren is playing across Australia this April, before gigs in South Africa and across the US. His next Irish gig will be at the All Together Now 2025 festival in August.
The last time he played in Cork was just weeks ago as he brought The Never Been Here Before Tour to Cork City Hall in March.
He released his first EP 'Lost' last year and played Electric Picnic last summer which was a dream come true for the young musician who previously said Ireland's biggest music festival was his "ultimate goal."
