John Blek: It was the newest thing I’d experienced in 38 years, I’d no idea what I was doing

Cork musician John Blek talks to Helen O’Callaghan about the birth of his daughter in November 2024, about the change it brought to his lifestyle — both personally and professionally — and how he has been balancing raising a child with trying to retain key aspects of who he was before she was born

Folk singer and songwriter, John Blek, among his new daughter's baby toys at home in Castletownroche, Co Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

I finished up touring at the end of 2024, I was taking some time off for my wife and me to get ourselves ready for the arrival of our daughter.

We’d done all the preparations — the hynobirthing, the antenatal classes, all the things they said we should do. The time came around, Ciara went into labour, a 60-hour labour — it was a nervy time.

John Blek in his recording studio space at Bigger River Recording Company., Castletownroche, Co Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

For it to go on so long was harrowing physically for Ciara — and concerning. I was trying to be there, do as much as I could but, let’s face it, really being able to do very little. Early on November 28, Daisy arrived. It was a hard battle for Ciara but a beautiful result. 

Ciara recalls me shouting “she’s here, she’s here!” Just the excitement! She was put in my arms — strange, looking at this new person with the filter of all the matriarchal faces I’d seen in my own and in Ciara’s family. Hints of all those other faces on this face.

John Blek: 'This album took me by surprise.' Picture: Larry Cummins

It was the newest thing I’d experienced in 38 years of living, an incredible thing. For the first time in my life I was doing something where I’d no idea what I was doing. I’ve been a musician for 20 years, I know how to do that. I know how our house and our lives work ... there’s a routine to it. 

This was a brand new situation, all of a sudden the cart thrown up in the air.

I knew nothing was going to be the same. This incredible feeling of joy was the overriding thing — and as time went on, this minor sense of mourning for the person I used to be, the freedoms we’d had — even casual things like popping up to Cork city from our home in Castletownroche for a drive or a drink with friends. The independence we’d known, gone forever, indelibly gone.

My big concern was professional. The job I do is very much a vocation, something I adore, it’s not just my job but a huge part of who I am. I could see I would have to change the way I’d worked for the last decade, travelling away from home for two to three weeks at a time, around Europe and the UK. It’s hard work but enjoyable too. I knew those days were gone — it’d need to be much shorter stints now.

I felt overwhelmed at finding a new way — a more sensitive approach so I could be at home more, but also still make a living and maintain the touring life I’d been developing.

John Blek: 'I was slowly writing and using the songs to try to get to know the new studio space.' Picture: Larry Cummins

Ciara and I, we’re a good team, we work well together. We sat down, had a conversation, tried to figure out best practice for the life we needed to construct now around this new little lady. It sounds quite formal but it wasn’t. It was just a conversation about what we needed from each other, and what Daisy would need from us.

It was slowly becoming apparent, what parenthood really entailed. Crazy early mornings, sleepless nights, feeding and bottle routines — it was full-time, no break, not a part-time experience.

We were forming an idea of how we’d give Daisy everything and more, but also maintain both our working lives. Ciara’s work as a lecturer is well-defined in terms of hours. For me, self-employed, my time’s much more flexible, which has benefits but also brings little hurdles. I can sometimes forget to put an emphasis on my own work.

A quote I’d heard from an author was coming to mind: “There’s no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hallway.” I was trying to address that through sheer creative hard-headedness — continuing to put my head down, write the music, record the songs, collaborate with new people, find a new path.

John Blek: 'All of a sudden I realised I was looking at a new record.' Picture: Larry Cummins

SO MUCH joy in life comes from family, but self-actualisation, my artistic process, gives me so much joy. To lose any element of that I wouldn’t be who I am at all.

I feel the past year flew, since Daisy came, but I’ve lived every second of it. In one way like the blink of an eye — in another, we’ve lived every second 10 times.

I’m quite proud of us ... Ciara, myself, and our little girl. I’ve a recording studio in the back garden. Daisy comes with me, crawls around, plays the piano, hits the drums. I’m making her a part of that little world out there, my creative space in the back garden — that’s really important to our lifestyle. 

John Blek: 'Have I changed? I don’t think I’m any more serious, or better or worse.' Picture: Larry Cummins

Work-wise I’m delighted with what I’ve been able to do this year. In a normal year I’d probably do 70 or 80 shows. This year was scaled back but I still managed to keep the head above water, the lights on, the show on the road. I’m happy about that and that going into 2026 I’ve a new album out.

Have I changed? I don’t think I’m any more serious, or better or worse. I’m an eternal child — it’s part of what drew Ciara and me together, we’ve a good sense of fun. It’s kept us smiling though the first 12 months and more. And we’ve found our path by walking it.

• John Blek releases his new studio album The Midnight Ache on January 16. First singles ‘747’ and ‘With You’ out now on streaming platforms.
• John will play a series of gigs around Ireland, including Coughlan’s, Cork, on February 15. Tickets, more info: johnblek.com