1. Dermot Joseph Kennedy was born on 13 December 1991 and is an Irish singer and songwriter.
24 Facts About Dermot Kennedy
1. 2.
Dermot Kennedy is signed to Interscope Records in the US, and Island Records for the rest of the world.
3.
Dermot Joseph Kennedy grew up in Rathcoole, County Dublin, Ireland.
4.
An avid football fan and player, Dermot Kennedy started playing guitar at age 10, and songwriting at age 14; however, he states that he did not begin to take music seriously until the age of 17.
5.
Dermot Kennedy's parents were supportive of his musical study, and he credits his father for frequently driving him into Dublin to perform at open mic nights when he was underage.
6.
Dermot Kennedy officially began his career busking at 17 years old; however, his career did not become viable until his mid-twenties, having spent over a decade in the industry.
7.
In 2015, Dermot Kennedy uploaded the song "An Evening I Will Not Forget" to the streaming platform Spotify, with which he believed he was "really reaching people".
8.
Dermot Kennedy was invited to open for Glen Hansard, whom he had previously met while busking in Dublin and stayed in touch with via text message.
9.
Outside of his solo career, Dermot Kennedy began a band named Shadows and Dust with three other members during his studies, which included Micheal Quinn, who is Dermot Kennedy's tour drummer.
10.
Dermot Kennedy played Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival both weekends in 2019.
11.
Dermot Kennedy made the BBC's Sound of 2019 nomination list.
12.
Dermot Kennedy was nominated for international male solo artist at the 2020 Brit Awards.
13.
In 2021, Dermot Kennedy contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Nothing Else Matters" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist.
14.
On 3 March 2022, Dermot Kennedy won the RTE Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year 2021 for his song "Better Days".
15.
Dermot Kennedy released Sonder, his second studio album, on 18 November 2022.
16.
In early 2020, in collaboration with other artists, Dermot Kennedy contributed his vocals to Songs For Australia, covering Matt Corby's "Resolution".
17.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dermot Kennedy participated in Billboards Live At-Home concert.
18.
Dermot Kennedy helped them raise money for the non-profit Housing Works, by organizing a short virtual concert.
19.
On 6 September 2020, Dermot Kennedy played for the Soccer Aid charity match for the first time, joining other celebrities in raising money for UNICEF UK.
20.
Dermot Kennedy writes them naturally when listening to the track, as specific memories and emotions are triggered through the music.
21.
Dermot Kennedy cites Ray LaMontagne, David Gray, Damien Rice and Glen Hansard as inspirations for his folk style.
22.
Dermot Kennedy is intentional about maintaining his privacy, saying he has "always been resistant to the idea of celebrity".
23.
Dermot Kennedy says he does not desire to impose his political views on his supporters.
24.
On 20 June 2023, Dermot Kennedy apologised after he used a term derogatory to Irish Travellers during an interview with the Canadian TV music channel Much.