Pat Byrne (singer)

Pat Byrne is an Irish singer songwriter from Borris, County Carlow. In 2012, Byrne was crowned the winner of the first series of The Voice of Ireland, which led to the release of his debut album, "All or Nothing." In January 2019, Byrne emigrated to Austin, Texas, after several previous visits to the city that included recording sessions for the album Rituals,^[2] released in October 2018. Byrne had well-received performances in 2019 at the 30A Festival,^[3] SXSW,^[4] Kerrville Folk Festival and Nashville's Americana Festival. In July 2021, Byrne released his third album, "Into the Light."^[5]

Pat Byrne
Born	October 1989
Origin	Borris, County Carlow, Ireland[1]
Genres	Folk, Soul, Pop, Rock, Americana
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, musician, actor
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Ginger House Music
Website	www.PatByrne-music.com

Early life

From 2007–2011, Byrne formed several bands, among them, Pop Punk band called Mr Lightweight, and 'Moses Moorhouse and the Dinosaur Palace'. A desire to pursue music beyond these ventures led Byrne to audition for The Voice of Ireland.^[6]

Byrne has come a long way since winning the inaugural season of “The Voice of Ireland”. “The Voice” was a learning experience that included both highs and lows. Making an album in three months meant writing new songs with some talented people, but also, in some ways, compromising on the art Byrne wanted to create. After the initial roar, things went back to normal and Byrne continued gigging around Ireland, UK and Europe; however, he had a new sense of confidence.

Career

2012: The Voice of Ireland

Byrne entered The Voice of Ireland in 2011, singing Bruce Springsteen's "The River" at the blind auditions. All four coaches turned around but Byrne ultimately chose Niall "Bressie" Breslin as his coach. During the battle rounds, Byrne was pitted against Dara Molloy; they sang "If It Makes You Happy" after which Bressie decided to send Byrne through to the live shows. For the first live show, Byrne sang "You Do Something to Me" and was saved by the public vote. In week three, he sang "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" and was safe. For the fifth live show Byrne sang "The Day We Caught the Train" and was sent through to the quarter-final by public vote.^[7] Before the final, his version of "What a Wonderful World" topped the iTunes charts in Ireland.^[8] Louis Walsh said he could crack America.^[9] On 29 April 2012, Byrne was crowned the winner of the first series.

• ^{^[a]} All four coaches turned around. Pat joined team Bressie.
• ^{^[b]} Pat Byrne was against Dara Malloy. Bressie sent Pat Byrne through to the Live Shows.
• ^{^[c]} Pat Byrne was in the bottom two with Kiera Byrne. Bressie chose to save Pat,
• ^{^[d]} Byrne's version of this song was released on iTunes. Each download counted as a vote for the final. It got to number 1 on the iTunes chart in Ireland.
• ^{^[e]} The songs the final four artists performed for the semi-final were released on iTunes. Each download counted as a vote for the final. Each coach had 100 points to divide between their two artists how they wished.

Studio albums: All Or Nothing (2012), Rituals (2018), Into the Light (2021)

Pat Byrne released his album's debut single, titled "End Of The World" on 2 November 2012, following the release of its music video on 30 October 2012. The single reached No.61 in the Irish Singles Charts. The album, titled "All Or Nothing", was released on 22 November 2012 and reached No.10 in the Irish Album Charts. A second single from the album, also titled "All Or Nothing", was released on 15 March 2013 and reached No. 80 in the charts. This followed the release of its music video on 8 March 2013.

Since the release of End Of The World, Byrne has confirmed that he is still constantly gigging and writing new music in an interview in April 2015. He also announced in the same interview that he is no longer recording with Universal since 2014.

Byrne recorded his seven-song 2018 album "Rituals" partly in Ireland and partly in Austin, Texas, with producer Rich Brotherton. For his 2021 album "Into the Light," he worked with producer Billy Harvey at Nashville studio Sound Emporium with a supporting cast that included longtime John Prine bassist Dave Jacques and Sheryl Crow Drummer Fred Eltringham.^[10]

Discography

Albums

• All or Nothing (2012)
• Rituals (2018)
• Live at Anderson Fair (2019)
• Into The Light (2021)

References

1. Sweeney, Ken (1 May 2012). "'Voice' winner Pat Byrne to bring party home to Borris, Co Carlow". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
2. Blackstock, Peter. "Austin360 On The Record: Nagavalli, Rob Baird, Pat Byrne". Austin 360. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
3. "Folk Alley Sessions at 30A: Pat Byrne". Folk Alley. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
4. Blackstock, Peter. "Why Austin's music cred matters: Robert Ellis and Pat Byrne". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
5. Blackstock, Peter. "How to get an early listen of Irish transplant Pat Byrne's 'Into the Light'". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
6. Tubridy, Ryan (30 April 2012). [feed://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_tubridy.xml "Tubridy podcast- Interview with Bressie and winner, Pat Byrne"].
7. "Pat Byrne". The Voice of Ireland. RTÉ.
8. Sweeney, Ken (30 April 2012). "Teacher Pat Byrne chalks up 'Voice' victory, but Bressie a winner too". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
9. "Pat Byrne wins The Voice of Ireland". 98FM. Communicorp – owned by Denis O'Brien. 30 April 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
10. Dansby, Andrew. "From Ireland to Texas, singer songwriter Pat Byrne finds a 'Light' in the dark". Preview | Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by N/A	The Voice of Ireland Winner 2012	Succeeded by Keith Hanley