Multi-platinum singer/songwriter Dermot Kennedy today releases “Refuge”, the second single to be revealed from his upcoming third album ‘The Weight of the Woods’, out March 27th The anthemic, passionate single follows lead single “Funeral”.
Backed by gentle acoustic guitar, “Refuge” represents a tender moment of reflection and introspection before taking flight on the refrain; Say I’m invincible, it’s all a lie ‘cause darling I’m shaking tonight, chasing a dream, but I’m tired. If we never make it, at least we can say we died trying.
“I like the ‘died trying’ lyric, because it reminds me of 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’” explains Dermot. “On stage, I’ll feel supremely confident…Nobody can shake me. I think the people who are close to me will view me as solid and strong, but it’s not always the case. Gabe brought the vulnerability out of me. Instead of asking what I wanted to write about, he took my notebook and started reading it. All of my feelings were on display.”
Largely written and recorded in a studio down the road from his home in rural Ireland together with close collaborator Gabe Simon [Noah Kahan, Lana Del Rey], alongside an enlightening spell together in Nashville, ‘The Weight of the Woods’ is Dermot’s most self-assured record to date. The poetry and music across these 14 tracks draw inspiration, energy, and strength from the country itself. “To me, the album is a beautiful homegrown thing with Irish instruments and an Irish story. There’s a forest behind my house, which is a haven for my sense of wonder. It’s a peaceful place where I can escape. I’ve entertained the idea of living somewhere else, but I don’t think I’d be happy anywhere else.”
With a refreshed approach to his songwriting and production, Dermot has peeled away the layers to let his stunning voice shine through brighter than ever; “If I get up in a pub with just a guitar or a piano, I’m certain that I can sing to a room full of people. It’s where I’m the most comfortable. I wanted that element to be front-and-center on this album.” The result is a thrilling blend of traditional folk textures, country authenticity, and soaring melodies that stay with you long after first listen.
The album release comes ahead of Dermot’s largest headline tour to date in May and June 2026. The landmark tour will see Dermot play bigger than ever venues across Europe before a run of 6 UK arena shows, including a return to London’s O2 on June 5th. In July, Dermot returns home for two headline shows at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, the home of Irish Rugby.
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