There’s a precise reason behind our admiration towards Irish troubadour Robin James Hurt. Crowning a long artistic career that saw him sharing the stage with the likes of Sinéad O’Connor, Ronnie Drew, and Finbar Furey, among others, the Dublin-based musician and composer is the perfect example of what it means to be authentic and take matters into one’s own hands. Committed to recording new material at home, with two multi-track cassette recorders as companions, Hurt crafts an album that’s gritty and raw, yet vibrant and vivid.
Avoiding the aural polish so common in the modern era, ‘A Song, A Story Told’ is a nostalgic, almost timeless effort, a collection of simple yet hard-hitting songs soaked in Robin’s fuzzy guitars and heartwarming melodies. Lyrics are provided by Dublin poet and songwriter Tony Floyd Kenna, establishing a creative partnership that has already proven incredibly fruitful.
Intrigued by the project, we caught up with Hurt to learn more about his artistry… Interview below!
Hi Robin, thanks for chatting with us! Your biography mentions you playing guitar alongside some of the biggest names in Irish music, including the late Sinéad O’Connor; was that part of a session musician career, or were you supporting in other forms?
Hey there! Yes, when I got into music it was as a lead guitarist. I played in a whole bunch of great bands and also worked as a session player for dozens of different projects. Between them all, it was an amazing experience!
You were born in Ireland, but grew up in Scotland. Would you say that Irish culture is what truly shaped your artistry?
That’s a really interesting question for me. My family background is pretty diverse, and my music taste has always been wide ever since I was a kid. I always had an ear for Irish music, but when I moved to Dublin at 21 years old, I would say you are right. My artistry and skills were shaped then by a huge, rich culture and so many wonderful musicians and artists I met who taught me so much. It was so immersive.
This is a question I always ask anyone who’s experienced a long musical career. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to any young artist/musician out there?
If you really love creating art and feel it inside you like an essential, which you must do, then follow that love. Give it your all, but know it will take all you can give!
Looking back to your early years, what motivated you to pick up a guitar and embrace music? Are there any bands/singers that particularly inspired you?
I took violin lessons when I was a pre-teen, but I got bored with the homework and gave in to gaming. Then, as a teenager, I loved listening to music and felt it was something that could ease my anxiety and depression. I found an old, unused, beaten-up guitar and started to teach myself because it felt good. I wanted a way to communicate my feelings through music.
I have had so many inspirations over the years, but Paul Brady from Ireland was a huge one as a stunning guitarist who wrote great songs. Richard Thompson for the same reasons, and from the noisier end, an unending love for (another Irishman) Kevin Shields and My Bloody Valentine!
‘A Song, A Story Told’ is your latest effort, a long and nuanced album built on wholesome folk and rock goodness. First of all, are you proud of how the record turned out? Is there a central theme in it?
Thank you for that description, I love it! I am incredibly proud of the songs Tony Floyd Kenna and I wrote together and of how the album turned out. It was a big challenge because I wrote and recorded all the music, but it was fascinating with never a dull moment. The central theme is really just being in it all together, keeping a sense of community and love and trying to find the common things that move us all.
Can you take us through your songwriting process? Do you prefer writing with others or by yourself?
I’m more of a composer than a lyric writer, so I tend to look outward for words to inspire. Musically, I normally write by myself, but I do love a jam.
Is there a particular song in the album that especially resonates with you?
Maybe the title song, as I feel it resonates with how I feel about my daughter, who just turned 18!
What’s next for Robin James Hurt? Can we hear you live anywhere? 🙂
For sure! I play live shows every week in Dublin and the south east of Ireland. You can keep up with these on my socials, and if you’re in the area, come to a gig! Also, I have some great live experiences in the pipeline for 2026, starting with a showcase performance at the Your Roots Are Showing folk music conference in Belfast in January with a full backing band. After that, a tour of the far north of Norway in March with an Icelandic pianist friend of mine. Never a dull moment!
