There is something special about folk artist Fionn Regan. Maybe it’s the way he writes songs that are both personal and timeless at the same time. Or perhaps it’s his voice- a delicate, ethereal instrument that effortlessly conveys emotion over his gorgeous folk instrumentation. There are many folk artists out there, but few of them have the talent, charisma, or mystique of Fionn Regan.
This Irish singer-songwriter has been making music for decades, and his discography is nothing short of impressive. Adding to his charm, Regan has often been described as a bit of an ‘enigma,’ constantly responding to questions in poetic metaphors and tangents. However, his unpredictable nature makes him such a magnetic force in music. You never know what you’re going to get with his music, but you know that it will be absolutely fantastic.
Where Is Fionn Regan from?
Fionn Regan was born in Bray, Ireland, in 1981. Bray is a coastal town in north County Wicklow, Ireland, about twenty kilometers south of Dublin City on the east coast.
As an artist, Regan began self-releasing EPs on independent labels in the early 2000s. He continued to do so for many years before releasing his debut. In 2000, he released his first EP as Bilbo called “Slow Wall.” In 2002, he retired his stage name and released the single “Little Miss Drunk.” He then joined Anvil Records and released Hotel Room and Reservoir. He would also self-release an EP limited to touring use only known as Campaign Button.
Fionn Regan’s debut record, The End of History, was released via Bella Union and received rave reviews. He was subsequently signed to the American label Lost Highway Records. His debut was reissued in the states. After leaving Lost Highway Records, Regan moved on to record labels like Universal Ireland. He’s now with Abbey Records. To date, he has released six studio albums: The End Of History (2006), The Shadow of An Empire (2010), 100 Acres of Sycamore (2011), The Bunkhouse Vol. 1: Anchor Black Tattoo (2012), The Meetings of The Waters (2017), and Cala (2019).
Regan’s The Meetings of the Waters was released in April 2017. The album was a beautiful collection of folk songs that demonstrates Regan at his most ambitious. In this record, he incorporates unique ambient and electronic elements to create his own particular brand of folk.
His most recent full-length, Cala (2019), took his experimentation and gorgeous textures to new heights, with fingerpicked guitars, reversed instrumentation, reverbs, and Regan’s delicate vocals creating light and airy textures over the album’s 34-minute duration.
In 2021, he released a non-album track titled The Scene Is Dead, his first new music in two years. He has also been on tour in Ireland recently. We hope that this means more new material is on the way.
Who does Fionn Regan sound like?
Regan’s music is a blend of traditional folk-rock and modern inflections. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, and other artists have been cited as influences. He has even been called “this generation’s answer to Bob Dylan” by Lucinda Williams. He’s even been compared to The Shins, Damien Rice, and Nick Drake. Fionn Regan’s music is likely to be enjoyed by fans of these artists.
Regan has released many great songs. We’ve picked out five of our favorites below and included an embedded Spotify playlist at the bottom of this page.
“Be Good or Be Gone”
“Put a Penny in the Slot”
“Head Swim”
“The Meetings of The Waters”
“Collar of Fur”
These songs showcase Regan’s gift for writing stirring melodies and introspective lyrics. If you’re new to his music, these are a great place to start. But really, any of Fionn Regan’s songs are worth a listen.
What is your favorite Fionn Regan song? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to follow him on Spotify (linked below) to stay up to date on any new releases.
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