From butchery to balladry may seem an unlikely career path, but Mayo-born, Galway-based songwriter Michael O’Connor has made the transition with aplomb.
Michael has just released his second album, I’m Not Myself in Character. Its title and cover—featuring the singer in greasepaint—nod to his experience as a stage actor.
After leaving school at 16, Michael became a butcher, a profession he remained in for 18 years. Customers of Collerans in Galway may remember him from his time there. It was during an injury-related absence from work, however, that he first picked up a guitar.
Although music had always been in his blood, Michael did not begin pursuing it seriously until 2002, when a foot injury left him unable to walk for three months. Restless during his recovery, he bought a guitar and began learning Irish ballads before moving on to songs by John Prine, Steve Goodman, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Johnny Cash.
He soon began writing his own material and completed his debut album, Octopus Tattoo, in 2006.
