In October 2004, amongst a thriving Dublin music scene, Declan O’Rourke’s debut album Since Kyabram was released. In its first week, Since Kyabram entered the charts at no.5 and over the following two years achieved gold, platinum, and twice platinum status. The album held within it a collection of songs which have grown in popularity over the years. Galileo, Sarah, No Place to Hide, We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea and Marrying The Sea are amongst the titles which led to Award nominations and plaudits from Paul Weller, Eddi Reader, Paul Brady and Snow Patrol.
To celebrate the milestone, Declan has announced a 20th anniversary special edition re-issue of Since Kyabram on vinyl and CD, complete with the original record and second disc of new bonus material, plus anniversary concerts live at Cork, Dublin, and Belfast, this October and November.
Declan says: “I recently went digging through some long-buried old boxes and, well, I could not have believed what I would find. Listening to the Master tapes there were multiple takes of almost every song, with banter between them, and much laughter. There were studio rehearsals and demos. I’d kept a diary, and reams of papers ranging from my own handwritten studio notes to early sketches of the lyrics, photos galore, and even a note with directions to the studio. If you are a fan of Kyabram, you will love this Anniversary Edition.
As we take this journey, I will share all sorts of its the treasures with you. Follow me over the months ahead as I relive and scale the mountain once more that was the planning, recording, and release of my first record.”
Hot Press voted Since Kyabram their Debut Album of the Year and without doubt its release jump started a career which introduced Declan to an audience who have been on this journey with him for 20 years.
“Since Kyabram is a record I’m very proud of, both as an introductory body of work and a collection of songs individually. After 20 years I’m still hugely nostalgic for it and love that it has become a favourite for so many others. To celebrate and release Kyabram all over again, this time with a deeper dive inside the tapes, is going to be such a trip. Being fully immersed in the music once more for just a handful of special 20th Anniversary concerts will also be a very exciting!” ~ Declan O’Rourke
