Declan McGoran

 “My music incorporates a blend of emotive lyrics and strong beats with a fondness for vocal falsettos and predominantly layered samples. The carefully selected samples are intended to form ambient soundscapes and often different environments, with the intention of creating a rich and immersive listening experience.” 

 

Up n’ Comin’ NI is thrilled to announce this weeks artist, 28-year-old, Declan McGoran, an indie alternative electronic producer from Carryduff. “After completing my degree in Audio and Creative Music Technology at UWE Bristol, I returned to Belfast to find my place in the local scene again.”

Music has been part of Declan’s life from a young age. “I was always writing stories, poems, and songs, and singing a lot. At the age of 11, I started guitar lessons in school. I began focusing on songwriting properly at the age of 15 and recorded the songs using the facilities in school. It wasn’t until I was 20 that I started buying my own equipment and venturing into production.” 

Throughout this time in Declan’s life, he taught himself the piano and began to find his voice. “I was in a band called ‘The Flims’ for quite a few years, writing and producing the music. Only recently did we decide to call it a day (for now at least).” Taking a break from this band has allowed Declan to focus on himself as a solo artist for the past 6 months.

 

Declan has drawn inspiration from a range of bands, artists and producers including but not limited to: Radiohead, The Smile, Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich, Jadu Heart, RY X, Rüfüs Du Sol, Maribou State, Four Tet, Jamie xx, SOHN, Arcade Fire, Mac DeMarco, and The National. However, he claims that “Of all the artists, Thom Yorke is my biggest inspiration. I learned a lot about vocal control and falsetto from him. The lyrics, his delivery, structure, and instrumentation - it’s absolutely beautiful, every time!”

 

What makes Declan’s music stand out is the fact the he does it all by himself. By writing and producing his own music, he has full control over his sound, as well as having “a lot of fun along the way! I don’t really compare myself to other artists. I am a perfectionist though, and I envy artists and bands that bang out songs in no time and they still sound class.”

 

"Make music for you and not for other people. Once you start trying to please other people, you start to lose your way and it’s never as enjoyable. If you like the music and enjoy making it, that’s all the matters. Someone out there will appreciate it!"

 

“I am a songwriter. My creative process is usually to get the main bulk of the instrumental down, though not necessarily structured correctly to begin with. I’ll normally have ideas for lyrics and vocals by the end of this. Sometimes the lyrics just come to me, and other times I struggle to make a start. I find a good walk helps. I’ve written the last few songs during long walks. So, if you see me out walking and I’m glued to my phone, that’s probably why!”

Declan will structure the instruments based on the lyrics in his songs and the ideas that arise during the writing process. He, then, records and edits the vocals, adding in any extra ornamentation or effects, fixing levels and mixing it. “Then it’s time to be sent off for mastering! I probably listen to the track at least 200 times overall before its release.”

 

Declan’s describes his music as “'indie/alternative electronic.' It’s definitely always evolving, even from the first track to the second. I’ve been working on a song that’s sort of indie pop, but still shares the same sort of sound as the last track. It all falls under the same umbrella.”Trying to put a label on your musical genre can be a struggle for many artists. Declan says, “I did overthink it at the start, like ‘this sounds nothing like the last one!’, and I was stressing about it. But I guess the label ‘indie/alternative’ and even ‘electronic’ is so broad. I just try not to think about it anymore!” 

 

As an artist and producer, Declan says that he prefers to work alone because there’s less pressure. “I can do it all on my own terms and in my own time. It’s nice not having to rely on other people and just be sat with headphones on for hours at a time plugging away and trying different things. However, I’ve never actually collaborated with anyone as a solo artist, and I do really want to! I am open to all genres and ideas. We could end up producing something class that I’d never think of doing, which is really exciting. So, if you’re reading this and you’re keen, drop me a message!”

 

Like many others, Declan’s songs reflect upon his own experiences. “The last number of songs have been about my love life/heartbreak. I’m basically Adele. It won’t always be like that though, I do write about other things, promise!”

For example, Declan gave a heartfelt, and honest reflection on the lyrics of one of his songs, saying, “’Tomorrow Will Be Different’ is all about the breakup I went through last year. I had just moved into a new house with strangers in Bristol after moving out of the house I shared with her. I felt like I had lost all my friends. I thought we had made a major mistake breaking up and so I was hoping we would get back together. She had said perhaps down the line if the time is right - what is for you will not pass you and all that. We did try again a couple of times, but it was never the same for her. The lyrics reflect my feelings throughout this period.”

 

“As a producer, my best advice is to just use your ears! There is no set way of doing things with plugins etc. Invest in a good set of speakers and headphones as well. It makes all the difference.”

 

“I haven’t gigged yet but I am planning to get to it soon! I’m just getting some songs together first and then I hope to gig far and wide…and local too of course. Probably more local.” Declan already has a number of songs available on most streaming platforms. He says, “My proudest achievements so far are the releases and the nice comments I’ve had from family, friends and random people on the internet.” 

“There isn’t an awful lot that’s happened over the past six months but I’m hoping 2024 will throw up some memorable, magic moments!”

 

So, what’s next for Declan McGoran?

“I would really love to be playing festivals and gigging/touring abroad, hopefully making some sort of income from it on the side. I am very excited to start gigging in the local scene again! In terms of releases, I have a couple more songs I’d like to put out there before getting to work on an EP/album (we’ll see how we get on).” 

Make sure you follow him and keep up to date with all his songs, events and gigs: 

Instagram: declanmcgoran

TikTok: declan.mcgoran

X: decyy_

Spotify: Declan McGoran

Bandcamp: Declan McGoran