Skip to content
Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Relish Liverpool
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • Everyman & Playhouse
    • FunnyBoyz Liverpool
    • The Bentley Liverpool
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Liverpool Watersports Centre
    • Strawberry Field
    • Relish Liverpool
    • Best Liverpool Restaurants
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events Latest
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
    • A Tale of the Liver Birds
  • TRAVEL
    • Liverpool Airport
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE
Search
Close

Acclaimed folk ensemble Only Child celebrate a decade of releasing music and playing gigs

September 11, 2022
|
by Matthew Jacobson
Acclaimed folk ensemble Only Child celebrate a decade of releasing music and playing gigs

Explore Liverpool Music Writer Matt Jacobson interviews songwriter Alan O’Hare from Only Child.

Alan O’Hare’s eclectic folk ensemble Only Child celebrate their tenth anniversary with a special gig featuring a string quartet and the launch of their first ever vinyl album ‘Looking Forward To Looking Back’. 

Since forming in 2012, they have released four acclaimed albums, three EPs and a live album recorded with a string quartet and have played headline gigs at Liverpool’s The Music Room, The Zanzibar Club, 81 Renshaw, The Magnet, Prohibition Recording Studios and Thornton Hough Village Club on Wirral. 

The tenth anniversary celebration takes place where it all began back in 2012, at Leaf on Bold Street – I wanted to know more about the ten years, influences and the future for Alan O’Hare 

Congratulations on the 10th year of Only Child – has the time gone quickly?

It has and it hasn’t! I’m just like everyone else, sometimes it feels like the blink of an eye and sometimes it feels like eternity. A decade seems like a long time in 2022 though… 

What have been the main changes since you began the journey?

Improvement! What’s the point of doing anything if you don’t enjoy it and get better? The changes in the world and in my world have been plentiful and hopefully the songs reflect that, too. 

What have been the challenges?

Keeping it all going! As an independent artist, it has to be about more than the money… ’cause there is none! So, keeping friends, family and fans motivated to keep coming back to gigs and investing in new music is the biggest challenge. Personally, I challenge myself every time I sit down with my guitar to do something better than I’ve done before. That’s the challenge that excites me most. 

What have been the highlights?

Making friends. It’s funny, when you release music and play gigs, if things go well, you get to make a whole host of new friends . I’ve met musicians, journalists and fans alike who I count amongst my friends now and that’s a great thing I think. Making four albums and having each of them sell-out of physical products has been heartening, too. 

Supporting some of my favourite songwriters, playing some seminal venues and going into Jon Lawton’s Crosstown Studios every year or so with a batch of new songs for the best musician in Liverpool to get stuck into alongside me.

With albums and EPs behind you, are the aims and objectives still the same, to produce and record?

Absolutely. If I’ve done anything right, that body of work can be something my daughter can look at in the future and see that anything’s possible in life and flexing your creative muscles is one of the noblest things a person can do. I’m 43 and still writing songs… it’s never gonna’ leave me, so the aim remains to record them and play them live to people.

Are your influences as important as ever?

I think so. I remain a restless listener and a rabid reader. I’m always at the bar seeing life itself all around me. In terms of music, the artists I really love are all growing older and it’s inspiring to see them continue to create and take me on their journey. I’d like to do that. 

You are celebrating at the place it all began, LEAF – will it bring back and evoke memories of the initial gig?

It really will. That night ten years ago at Leaf, the first Only Child gig, was a big one for me. Although I’d been in bands and had fun since I was a young man, that was the first headlining gig of mine and I’ve never looked back. It was a special night with a lot of love in the room. We had a string quartet playing with us for the first time and I can’t wait to recreate that vibe… with lots of new songs too, of course! And two of the band from that night will be with me once again: Jon Lawton on guitar and Lee Shone on keys, so that’ll be lovely. 

How will you select the setlist?

It’s all about the atmosphere I want to create. Songs that suit the strings. Songs that suit the room. New songs for me, old favourites for the audience, a couple of surprises to keep us all on our toes. The Only Child journey started with a record about grief and it’s still a well I go to often. The story of Only Child is how music can save your life, so the night will be upbeat too. I better get cracking on this setlist then, eh… 

What next for Alan O’Hare?

Crosstown Records has just released a limited edition vinyl LP for me: ‘Looking forward To Looking Back – A Decade Of Only Child‘ and I’m so proud of it. My first vinyl playing record! We’ll launch it September 23rd at Leaf with a string quartet, head across the water to Thornton Hough Village Club November 19th with the band and then announce some smaller things and support slots to continue to promote the record. Album number 5 is written and the recording is on the horizon too. Gotta’ keep moving… 

Thank you Alan and very best wishes!

With Love and Peace

Matt

Matt Jacobson

Explore Liverpool

You can see Only Child at Leaf this month, ticket link below.

BOOK TICKETS

READ MORE: Only Child release second featured song from forthcoming fourth album

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

Liverpool ONE kick-starts its Eurovision celebrations
Liverpool ONE kick-starts its Eurovision celebrations
Bootle Strand Regeneration Project receives £20m funding
Bootle Strand Regeneration Project receives £20m funding
Women's Merseyside Derby at Goodison set for record crowd
Women's Merseyside Derby at Goodison set for record crowd
Maritime Knowledge Hub gets the green light from Wirral Council
Maritime Knowledge Hub gets the green light from Wirral Council
Sefton Park Palm House to welcome The Liverpool Book Club
Sefton Park Palm House to welcome The Liverpool Book Club
Iconic Liverpool landmarks are getting in to the Eurovision spirit
Iconic Liverpool landmarks are getting in to the Eurovision spirit
iStay Group CEO appointed onto the Northern Fundraising Board
iStay Group CEO appointed onto the Northern Fundraising Board
Enjoy a Paddy's Day themed brunch at Red Door Liverpool
Enjoy a Paddy's Day themed brunch at Red Door Liverpool
pexels-rodnae-productions-7061778
St Patrick’s Day in Liverpool
Beauty and the Beast returns to St Helens Theatre Royal
Beauty and the Beast returns to St Helens Theatre Royal

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL!

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

Stay in the loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

We never share your information with anyone.

OTHER LINKS

  • Liverpool Maps
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy

SUB LINKS

  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

DIRECTORY LINKS

  • Business Login
  • Register
  • View Directory

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

© 2022 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Explore Liverpool With Us!

Don't miss a thing. Sign up for our weekly roundup straight to your inbox! 🙌

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!