Tracks from Bandon’s Kees Hendrickx and Skibb’s Aaron O’Sullivan

There’s no shortage of new music releases from West Cork artists, as Bandon musician Kees Hendrickx has just released his new single, You Make Me Smile with a rather unusual collaborator: his two-year-old son. The young co-artist is also ‘behind’ the video for the single, quite literally, as the newly-released footage shows a day-in-the-life from the viewpoint of the toddler with a clip-on tiny camera capturing the world through his eyes.

Kees says the song was originally written over a decade ago, but becoming a dad gave it a ‘whole new meaning’. 

‘My son’s innocence and unfiltered joy gave the song a new energy, and so I rerecorded the song with a whole new feel.  I’ve worked in recording studios from Belgium’s Galaxy Studios working alongside Oscar-winning composers and local pub legends alike, but this was by far my most rewarding collaboration!’ 

The track was mixed by Hendrickx himself and mastered by Pete Maher, whose credits include U2 and Nick Cave.

Skibbereen’s Aaron O’Sullivan also has a new venture under his belt, as he rebrands as Shimmer Boy with his debut single, Under The Surface already having featured on the latest season of Made In Chelsea. Performing previously under the pseudonym ‘Jordan Run’, Aaron has always been drawn to music, playing instruments from a young age, including the clarinet and whistle. 

He began playing the guitar at 11 years old, and quickly kicked off a career that found him playing local venues like Connollys of Leap and De Barras. 

Aaron, aka Shimmer Boy, is following up his debut success with a new Christmas release, Faith In You. The track is out December 3rd and carries an uplifting message about holding on and staying strong through the darker months. The Skibb artist also takes to the stage on December 29th in St Luke’s, opening for James Keegan.