Cork-born, Belfast-based songwriter Nathan O’Regan is gearing up for the release of his debut studio EP, ‘Uncovered Vol.1’, out via Zenith Cafe. Showcasing a captivating collection of covers, each track is a testament to O’Regan’s devotion to his homeland’s musical talent and ability to reinterpret beloved songs with a distinctive flair. O’Regan pays homage to Northern Irish songwriting, offering unique renditions of ‘Permanent’,‘It’ll Be Alright’, ‘Follow You Down’, ‘Is That What You Wanted’, and ‘Strange People’.
A seasoned storyteller, O’Regan has enraptured audiences across Ireland with his emotive performances, which blend melancholy with hopefulness. Before focusing on his solo career, O’Regan curated the acclaimed monthly live show ‘Songbook’ in Belfast, providing a platform for emerging talent in the local music scene. ‘Uncovered Vol. 1’ serves as a farewell to this chapter of his career, featuring covers of beloved tracks that have shaped him throughout the years.
The first single to come from this cover EP, ‘It’ll Be Alright’, written by Gareth Dunlop, resonated with a message of support and companionship during times of struggle, drawing on the imagery of light and darkness and invoking classic songs such as ‘Lean On Me’, ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’, and ‘Stand By Me’, infusing the song with familiarity and depth. “The first time Gareth Dunlop’s ‘It’ll Be Alright’ hit my ears, I swore it was a long-lost classic. As I got to know Gareth, I realised songs like this are his bread and butter. He’s a true gem of Northern Ireland’s songwriting scene, and ‘It’ll Be Alright’ perfectly captures his talent. Including it on this covers EP was a no-brainer,” O’Regan notes.
Ciaran Lavery’s debut album, ‘Not Nearly Dark’, was impossible to miss. Every track glittered with songwriting and melodic brilliance—a true timeless record. With his soothing, bluesy vocals, O’Regan transforms the slow acoustic folk of ‘Follow You Down’ into a soulful single that envelops listeners in a comforting embrace. His voice, rich with emotion and warmth, draws audiences into a love song that promises to give everything. O’Regan says that “the album’s closer always resonated with me. Its stripped-down arrangement left so much space for interpretation, which is what drew me to it for this EP. A great song, I believe, transcends genre and production styles; it can be reimagined endlessly. ‘Follow You Down’ exemplifies this perfectly.”
Speaking on the next track, ‘Is That What You Wanted?’, O’Regan mentions, “From the first listen, it became an earworm—every word meticulously crafted to deliver the song’s message. The original also lays bare his incredible vocal range. His performance? Unforgettable. No wonder it became a hit. Years ago, I saw MCVEIGH perform it at Songbook. Effortlessly, he commanded the stage—a true star. Every note is flawless. That song’s been lodged in my head ever since. When it came to picking songs for this EP (featuring Northern Irish songwriters), ‘Is That What You Wanted?’ became an obvious choice.”
With over 15 million streams and placements in hit shows like The Traitors US and Love Is Blind, Fiona Harte is a powerhouse songwriter who deserves her place among Northern Ireland’s finest. Her name was a natural fit for this EP showcasing local talent. Speaking about the track ‘Permanent’, O’Regan comments, “That last line of the chorus, “Nothing is permanent in a world that’s not still,” has always stuck with me. It perfectly embodies the depth and nuance you’ll find throughout Fiona’s work. While I could have easily filled this EP with just Fiona’s songs, ‘Permanent’ felt like the perfect choice, offering an exciting opportunity to reimagine it.”
“Fiona O’Kane, the artist behind the moniker LARKS, penned the hauntingly beautiful ‘Strange People’. To my continued amazement, Fiona has yet to release her version of the song. Years ago, she let me hear a demo of it she recorded with Matt Weir, and that single listen has embedded the chorus in my mind ever since. Every word resonates—it’s undeniably some of Fiona’s strongest songwriting, showcasing her immense talent. I desperately hope Fiona releases her version someday because it’s truly breathtaking. Thankfully, she gave me the blessing to cover it, and it’s a joy to sing. When it came to choosing songs for this EP highlighting Northern Irish songwriting, ‘Strange People’ was an instant frontrunner,” O’Regan states.
Nathan O’Regan has a mastery over his voice that his peers surely envy. Slipping gracefully between gritty, impassioned pleas and sweet, longing melodies, Nathan pairs his beautiful singing with delicate, refined songwriting. A natural raconteur, his songs are full of melancholy and hopefulness that have enchanted listeners all around Ireland and beyond.
www.instagram.com/nathanoregan/
###