Lover’s rock

John Spillane’s new album reveals a softer, less quirky side. But he still eats rashers and drinks Beamish, he tells Carl Dixon

A ROCK To Cling To is the new album by Cork singer and songwriter John Spillane. It is a slower and more contemplative affair than previous albums. The songs cover themes of love and family and range from the title song, which was written after the death of his mother, to Purple Mountain which was inspired by a photo of Spillane and his wife climbing the Kerry hill of the same name early in their relationship. By contrast, songs such as Passage West and Lovers Leap resemble more traditional Irish ballads.

Spillane is now on a whirlwind tour of Ireland to promote the album which will, no doubt, prove extremely popular, and Spillane himself is cautiously optimistic.