Ballyshannon’s Sean Gibbons to ‘Shine’ light on new song

After a musical writing hiatus of some seven years, the multi talented Ballyshannon based musician, Sean Gibbons has released his first original musical song, Shine, after his self imposed sabbatical.

It is a most welcome development for his many fans, what with life, Covid and many others things that have changed so dramatically in the interim period for both himself, and indeed, the whole lot of us.

One of the most respected musicians in the region, Sean has been involved with music in one way or another since he was a ‘cub’.

Thankfully the musical gene has been passed on through both his Gibbons and Keown connections and over the years, Sean has also been involved with training up new musicians of the future.

Cameo video appearances included Johnny Boxty Gallagher and his brother Pauric

Although never a man to seek the limelight, Sean or ‘Gibby’ as he is simply known amongst many of his friends, has been very much part of the music north west scene down the years.

He made his TV debut with the Teddy Boys, while just a teenager on RTÉ and his involvement with the Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band and the Erne’s Town’s local musical society to name but a few.

Sean told the paper:

“This is the first original song from me in a while, in about seven years and I am delighted to say that there are a few more coming down the line. I hope to also have one coming out in October called ‘Home’. This will be followed by a couple of others which I hope will eventually lead to the launch of an album, but at this point in time, that is the plan.

The tune itself was launched on Saturday, July 1.

And by a happy confidence that evening Sean and a friend Barry Sweeny, were playing at a gig that evening, when they bumped into the legendary Dave Fanning from 2FM and Sean told him about his new song.

Sean Gibbons (Front) as a teenager was part of the dynamic Teddy Boys band who landed a role on the RTE Late Late Show thanks to local talent show, Opportunity Knocks that ran for many years in Ballyshannon 

Sean said that Dave had given the new song “his blessing” and said that might even get a play. “Wouldn’t that be an amazing thing, if it did?” he added.

“I have dabbled over the years with original music, but it is a tough industry. This new song will be posted onto Spotify and Apple itunes but a play might get you 0.01c.

“And then in terms of getting gigs, for artists that are solely playing their own original music, it can be extremely challenging.

“But I have been writing material for 15-20 years and I recall releasing a single with three songs back in Bootleggers days, in that time. I always wrote songs, but I never really did anything with them.”

He said that the song itself was inspired by a friend who was a bit down and the importance of believing in yourself. So the song is really about being positive and enjoying yourself, he explained.

“Although the seeds of the song began before Covid, it was only when I got down to start recording it last Autumn around September, with Michael Christie and Stephen Gallagher. Michael played the drums and Stephen played the bass,” Sean continued.

“That’s the backbone of the Kings of Cool band and then I would have done all the guitars, the vocals and the keyboards and then it was produced and mastered by a lad in Grange, Blue Room Recording Studio, who also happened to be a past pupil of Colaiste Cholmcille.

“And then with the song and the lyrics we just needed some good weather and “getting all our ducks in a row”, we were blessed with in June.

The video was filmed near Bundoran beach and produced by Niall Bogue of Bogue Productions in Enniskillen. You might even see a cameo from two of the Boxty lads, Johnny and Pauric, Ciaran Hodgkins and Amy Vogue.

The tune itself can be viewed in you tube under ‘Sean Daniel Gibbons - Shine’ and subscribe to Bogue Productions. It is also available on itunes and spotify.