From the west of Ireland, Emmet O'Malley developed his unique blend of heartfelt, poetic songwriting by playing in local pubs and through busking on the streets of his native Galway. He released his debut EP 'The Smell Of Bees' and his debut album 'Playtime' in 2011, leading to tours of Ireland, the UK and Europe. In 2014, not long after moving to London, he released the EP, 'Four Stories Four Songs' which was completed at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Combined with story-telling, the EP went on to become a full show at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In 2020 he released his second album A Human Response, a home-recorded collection exploring themes of social inequality, spirituality, addiction and mental health. In 2026 O’Malley returns with a series of new singles building toward a new collection of songs later in the year. His latest writing carries a renewed political and social edge, told through personal human narratives. The first single, “How Long?”, is a joyous and powerful reflection on the cyclical patterns of life and on questioning one’s true place in the world. His second release is a cover of Paul Brady’s classic “The Island”, shared with the songwriter’s blessing — a timely reflection on the cruelty and absurdity of human violence and division, reintroduced through a modern lens. Known for his passionate voice, warmth, humour and engaging storytelling, O’Malley’s solo performances create a deeply personal connection with audiences.

Listen to the podcast, Resonating with Emmet O’Malley by clicking on the image above.