Johnny Bourke is a new and exciting Irish musician who is bringing guitar back into pop music. Hailing from Tipperary, his sound is fresh and fluid and echoes artists such as Shawn Mendes, Khalid, and John Mayer. No stranger to the live scene, he has crafted a career as a session musician playing all over the world including shows in Australia and New Zealand. In summer 2019, Johnny worked alongside London producer Jackson Dimiglio-Wood (who has worked with the likes of Shawn Mendes) to create the scintillating debut track ‘Can’t Do Without’ and DMCWORLD now checks in with the main man as he releases his new single ‘Be Someone’…
Hi Johnny Bourke, how are you?
I’m great! I just made a very strong coffee and I have a new song out. Life is good.
You have had an incredible start to the year with your incredible release ‘Be Someone’, what was your inspiration behind the track?
Thank you, I feel like last year I was a bit overly cautious in my approach (as were most artists) so this year I am throwing caution to the winds. The song is about realising that most relationships mean a lot more than you sometimes fully appreciate and the support and love you share with someone can have a massively positive impact that you didn’t even realise was there!
Stream ‘Be Someone’ here – https://ffm.to/besomeone
What was it like working alongside Saige?
It was so much fun. We’ve been friends for a long time and to be able to work with someone so talented who you also get on with really well just made it all such a dream. We allowed several hours to cut her vocals but spent the majority of it just goofing around as we only needed a couple of takes to get her tracks. Such a pro.
How would you describe your style of music?
Oh wow, this question keeps me up at night, honestly I really don’t know. The more comfortable I get with my own sound the less aware I am of what to categorise it as. It’s a blend between Nu-Disco, Funk, and Pop, with a little bit of French House in there on the production side of things. Purists of all those genres would deny them all but I don’t really worry about making a particular style, I just try to make stuff that I think is cool.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
John Mayer all day everyday. He’s just the most iconic guitarist and songwriter. Nobody compares.
What have you missed most about performing live?
There is no sensation quite like the buzz you get from performing, from people’s undivided attention, seeing them truly engage with something that you are creating and watching them react and hopefully be moved by it. You can’t mirror that in any way other than in-person shows and I am suffering some serious withdrawals from that high.
What does the future look like for Johnny Bourke?
It’s looking bright on my end at the very least. It’s so wild to me that people all over the world are discovering my music and listening to it and interested in what I’m doing. It never gets old when people message me and share my music and let me know that they’re enjoying it. It definitely keeps me tided over until I can perform for them in person and that’s where we are heading. I have got some massive plans for how to perform these songs live so that people will have an amazing time. That’s what it’s all about for me.
Where can we keep up to date with you?
I’m on all the socials but you’ll find me most active on Instagram @johnnybourke. I read all my DMs so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
