Rhythm Nation

Oscar Blue on Sam Fender as a role model and the power of Damien Dempsey’s music

The folk-pop artist from Clare who thinks guys need to express themselves more reveals which artists and songs he draws inspiration from

Oscar Blue: folk-pop artist has just released his debut EP called Backyard Mafia. Picture: Rory McMahon

Oscar Blue is a folk-pop artist from Co Clare. He began writing songs at the age of 13 a decade ago, then performed at open mic nights in local pubs and busking on the streets of Dublin and Galway. He has just released his debut EP called Backyard Mafia.

Describing the title track, he says: “It’s about imperfect friendship and brotherhood, particularly what that looked like in the context of my rural Irish upbringing. Backyard ...