Tadgh Billy King

breathe out is out now
Tadgh is an Irish name. This is how you pronounce it: (English: /taɪɡ, tiːɡ, teɪɡ/, Irish: [t̪ˠəiɡ])

"These songs come from personal explorations of trying to make sense of the worlds we inhabit, both on the outside, and within us,” shares Dublin, Ireland-based post-punk artist Tadgh Billy King. “I want to take people on a journey through each song. I want to make music and art that holds integrity and questions a society and a world that doesn’t seem to have answers.”

Tadgh’s immersive artistry speaks to its conception during times of deep introspection. His cathartic musicality spans post-punk, goth, noisy hardcore, and math-y punk, and is inspired by such artists as Bauhaus, Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, Joy Division, Nirvana, Radiohead, and contemporary Irish bands such as Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Gilla Band and Just Mustard. At times brash, at times sublimely ethereal, Tadgh’s latest musical project will be introduced through a series of singles.

He’s an actor, writer, director, a composer for theatre, and an award-winning classical singer. Previously, Tadgh played in the critically-acclaimed Dublin classic rock power-trio, The Last Boys. He has recently sang on the title track of Vicky, a film about Vicky Phelan that won best Irish documentary at the Irish Films Critics Circle Awards.

His rich baritone singing is informed by his classical training, and his deeply emotive and expressive artistry is informed by his studies of drama and theatre. Tadgh earned a degree from Dublin’s Trinity College in drama and theatre studies, and he’s currently an actor represented by the powerhouse Irish talent firm The Agency. His work scoring for theatre informs his songwriting as the adventurous soundscapes that colour his scene-setting compositional sense imbue his rock tracks with a dramatic flair.

Tadgh’s earliest memories are of literally living above a beloved New York City music venue, The Local 269, his parent’s owned and operated. During that formative time, he soaked in the rock, punk, jazz, and pop that soundtracked the bar’s existence. This melting pot of sounds would be a template for his own unbound musical explorations where he often explored the music of the Ramones, Green Day, and Nirvana, alongside studying classical vocal and guitar techniques.

Tadgh’s parents relocated back home to Ireland, and there, Tadgh began seriously studying and performing as a musician and as an actor. His first successful band, The Last Boys, tasted regional success with well-attended shows; buzz-band press coverage; and radio play. But that band, now sidelined, only allowed for a part of Tadgh’s prismatic musicality and artistic expression.

Reflecting on his latest and upcoming musical projects, he expresses gratitude for finally seeing his music through without compromise. “Since I can remember, I wanted to make music that I really believed in,” he says. “Thankfully, the songs keep coming.”

- tadgh x