Episode 148 - Junior Brother

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Junior Brother, songwriter, musician, and one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music today. From a quiet upbringing in rural Kerry, where music wasn’t always front and centre, to carving out a singular path through Ireland’s alternative folk scene, Ronan Keeley’s journey is one shaped by curiosity, instinct, and a deep connection to place. What began with a “crappy little guitar” and a lot of imagination has grown into a body of work that’s both rooted in tradition and boldly experimental. His debut album earned a Choice Music Prize nomination and marked him out as an artist doing things very much on his own terms, uncompromising, expressive, and unafraid to follow his instincts. But it was in leaving home, and looking back from a distance, that his songwriting really began to take shape, drawing on rural landscapes, memory, and a sense of belonging. We talk about finding your own voice, literally and figuratively, the influence of artists like Damien Dempsey, and why singing in your own accent became such a defining part of his sound. There’s also plenty on his latest album The End, a record shaped by isolation, folklore, and the strange, beautiful idea of being led astray only to find your way home again. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about creativity, identity, and staying true to your path, even when it takes you somewhere unexpected. Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Junior Brother. If you enjoy our show please like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks to our sponsor Irish Woodcraft, please check them out at https://irishwoodcraft.ie