Fintan McKahey
Cork-based artist Fintan McKahey just released his latest single, “Higher Place”—a deeply emotive track that weaves hypnotic melodies with raw, introspective lyrics. Featuring fellow Cork musicians Eoin Barclay on drums and Kealan Kenny on slide guitar, the song sets a rich sonic backdrop for Fintan’s smooth and expressive vocal delivery.
Staying true to McKahey’s signature hazy sound, “Higher Place” leans into the realms of Americana and folk rock. Ethereal soundscapes blend seamlessly with a steady rhythmic pulse, capturing the push and pull between escapism and reality. From its opening lines—
“We could take it to a higher place / We could sit and watch the fire take / All the memories that I’ve erased”—the track establishes itself as both reflective and anthemic. It’s a song about shedding old burdens, embracing uncertainty, and navigating the emotional highs and lows of self-discovery.
A lo-fi indie singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, McKahey has built a reputation for his chill, spacey, and psychedelic sound. His previous EPs and singles have received national radio play and widespread critical acclaim, earning him headline slots at major venues across Ireland. Yet, it’s in the studio where Fintan feels most at home—immersed in the craft of building atmospheric, transportive music.
In recent years, Fintan stepped back from the public eye to embrace a new chapter: fatherhood. This life-changing experience has reshaped his worldview and his music, fueling his creativity in quiet moments and late-night studio sessions.
Now based on a rural property in West Cork—where he relocated Ivy Hill Studios and built a home—McKahey is poised for a powerful return. With new music slated for release in 2025, “Higher Place” marks the beginning of an exciting new era, showcasing the depth and evolution of an artist who continues to push creative boundaries.
Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing
I always remember my mum & dad playing Hendrix so it wasn’t a foreign sound by any means but something hit me differently when I heard the intro to ‘Little Wing’. I remember working so hard learning the tabs to try and mimic that guitar line when I was about 10. I still love that song to this day.
Nick Drake - Riverman
First time I heard this song was when YouTube had first started booming, I was about 13 or 14. I had put on a folk playlist on YouTube and fell asleep. It must have kept playing all night, and I woke up in the middle of the night to the string section of Riverman playing. Something about the mix of my sleep delirium and the nostalgic feel of that sound really awakened something in me. From that moment onward I was a huge Nick Drake fan.
John Martyn - Solid Air
When I first music back to Ireland from university I joined a band called The Nash Brothers to play bass. The guitarist was really into John Martyn and we would often sit drinking port listening to John Martyn records. What a vibe.
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others
Shortly after my Nick Drake obsession commenced, I delved deep into the world of contemporary folk sounds and discovered the band Grizzly Bear. Something about that sound was just what I needed at a very influential period of my life. They really inspired me to write more songs.
Bonobo - Days To Come
Late teens into my early 20’s I went to London to study music production at BIMM. The urban environment definitely altered the sounds that were pleasing to me and then began trip hop adventure. Something about their style of music really appealed to me. It seemed very doable from a home studio environment and I started trying to make trip hop beats and blend them with my folk songwriting style that I had been working on for the previous years.
Jon Gomm - Passionflower
Someone showed me this guy playing Paaionflower on YouTube. That percussive style of guitar blew my mind. I later saw him live in Debarras Folk Club and it really hit home. I started practising a more percussive style of acoustic after this and my whole first EP - ‘Two Lifetimes Late’, was based around this style.
Roy Harper - Me and My Woman
This was a similar era to my Nick Drake obsession. My mum gave me the album Stormcock and I listened to it religiously emulating his vocal and guitar style.
Matt Corby - Belly Side Up
Matt Corby’s album Telluric is a masterpiece. When I found out that it was him playing all the instruments to that level it was exactly what I wanted to hear. Seeing as I work predominantly as a solo artist and work alone in the studio, when you see other people having a go on every instrument it really made me think it was a possibility for me to . I continue to work more or less in solitude to this day.
Chet Faker - I’m Into You
When I was about 16 I discovered Chet Faker. The blend of his lazy vocal style and triphop production was probably one of the most significant influences in shaping my sound. I was never a great singer, and hearing someone approach the vocals embracing this lazy stylistic approach made me think I could give it a go too.
Ben Howard - Under The Same Sun
Similar to the Jon Gomm scenario, Ben Howard was another artist who was phenomenal at the percussive style. His Melodie’s and songwriting really made me want to take my acoustic playing to the next level. There’s a live version of this song that blew me away.