Talented musician Robyn so proud of his Kilrea roots

KILREA born singer-songwriter Robyn G Shiels cheekily describes himself as ‘Johnny Cash mixed with a bit of Joey Dunlop’.

The talented muscian, who is a former newsagent, will launch his new EP later this month, followed by an album later in the summer.

His new EP ‘Underneath The Night of Stars’ is due out on May 20 through ‘No Dancing Records.

Produced by Ben McCauley, the new EP not only highlights Robyn’s singing talent, but there’s even a few guitar solos from the man himself.

Robyn is known for singing about heartache and dispair, but his latest offering provides a little light on life.

The talented Kilrea man recivved warm praise for his debut album ‘A Lifetime of Midnights’. Following the release he played venues in America and England and even performed for Huw Stephens on Radio One.

Speaking to The Times last week, Robyn, who has been living in Belfast since the early nineties, says he’s looking forward to the launch of his latest work.

He doesn’t take himselftoo seriously, even though he scooped best solo artists at the 2011 NIMA awards.

“I moved to Belfast in 1989 or 1990 to give this music business a bash.

“Being from Kilrea, I thought that I would get better opportunies here in Belfast - I really wanted to give myself a good crack at the music scene.

“I last released an album back in 2005 and my last EP was about two years ago.

“I’ve been working hard at it, so I’m really looking forward to getting my latest work out there.”

Despite being in Belfast for over twenty years, Sheils hasn’t lost his Kilrea accent, and that is one thing you can hear coming through in his music.

“I’ll be doing my best not to lose my Kilrea twang,” he joked.

Once described by a journalist a mix between Johnny Cash and Joey Dunlop, Shiels says that “just about sums him up.”

Robyn and his band will be playing this year’s Glasgowbury festival, something that he’s looking forward to.

“Yes I can’t wait to get the band together, it’s always a good festival.

“All my mates are in bands so it’s a bit of craic for us all to be in the one place at the same time.”

Find out more about Robyn and his music by visiting robyngshiels.bandcamp.com/