Irish-Acoustic-Folk-Pop-Singer-Songwriter
Wendy Jack is happy to announce the release of a new acoustic recording of ‘Rathlin Island Lore’. This song is dedicated to all the good people of Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. It is especially offered with respect and gratitude to all who have gone before…
You can now download the track via BANDCAMP
Some songs live on with people, some people live on in a song.
Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and real life award winning adventurer Wendy Jack, is re-releasing her iconic single ‘White Bicycle’, a track that first hit the airwaves in 2020.
The song was written in tribute to her late friend and fellow musician Gavin Mee, who sadly passed away in 2018, aged just 42. It is being re-released in Summer 2025 in the lead up to what would have been his 50th birthday.
“I wrote and performed ‘White Bicycle’ for an event which was specially curated to remember Gavin during The Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival 2019.”
Taking its cues from the titular mode of transport, the waltzing track brings listeners on a trip that you’ll want to take again and again.
This touching tune tips a cap to The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and David Bowie during its spell binding four minute run time. Meanwhile Wendy’s tender vocals reaffirm her status as one on the most magnetic storytellers in Ireland.
The single takes its name from a book called ‘White Bicycles: Making Music In The 1960s’. This memoir from legendary music producer Joe Boyd describes in vivid technicolour the musical lives of artists such as Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, and Pink Floyd among others. In 1967 a psychedelic group called Tomorrow, who played at Joe Boyd’s UFO club in London, had a theme song called ‘My White Bicycle’ which was a tribute to Amsterdam’s radical ‘free’ bike scheme. This was the musical world Gavin sought to inhabit.”
“I wanted to fully bring the song to life, and sonically to a whole new level, so I aspired to build a folk-power-pop recording with Gavin’s good friend and producer Duncan Maitland (PictureHouse, Pugwash). Duncan was equally enthusiastic about the project, so we worked together to create what we hope is a fitting tribute to our mutual friend.”
Wendy Jack – vocals, backing vocals and guitar
Graham Carey – drums
Duncan Maitland – additional instrumentation and backing vocals
Produced by Duncan Maitland
Mastered by Leslie Keye
“Wendy Jack is the real deal. Her songs tell stories and pull you in with their honesty and soulfulness. White Bicycle is her finest track to date”. Ralph McLean (BBC Radio Ulster)
“White Bicycle is heaving with heart, soul and seriously good hooks.”Edwin McFee (Sunday Life, Hotpress, The Big List, ex NME)
“Wendy is a truly captivating singer-songwriter whose voice carries both strength and vulnerability in perfect harmony. Her music blends heartfelt lyrics with beautifully crafted melodies, drawing on folk, roots, and a touch of blues. Whether she’s singing about love, loss, or the landscapes of home, Wendy’s storytelling always feels authentic and emotionally rich”. Mike Kneeshaw, The Sunday Getherin’ TD1 Radio Scotland.
Wendy is also available for interviews or further information and can be contacted at info@wendyjackmusic.com
To mark the midwinter solstice and the start of our journey towards light, I am releasing a live acoustic version of Woolly Jumpers. For many this season is a time to catch up with friends and family, to enjoy the nostalgia or traditional rituals, to remember loved ones in our hearts, or perhaps you may feel the need to hibernate until it has passed. Hopefully, we can all offer a warm woolly jumper hug to those in our circle or beyond who may need it most. I hope you enjoy this version of my Christmassy / winter song and save it to your seasonal playlists.
You can download the track from my Bandcamp page
( https://wendyjack.bandcamp.com/…/woolly-jumpers-live… )
Or if you prefer, stream on Spotify via the link below.
Health, happiness and love to you and yours for the year ahead.
Wendy xx.
A number of years ago I temporarily stayed in a cottage close to an old ruin in the middle of Rathlin. Sitting there one evening I was inspired to write a song called ‘Rathlin Island Lore’. My friend Teresa subsequently told me some of the history of the ruin, (which had been the home of her great, great grandfather), and also kindly allowed me to take some video footage. A couple of weeks ago we showed the video in the pub on Rathlin for the first time. After many requests i have now made the video ‘public’ on YouTube… I hope you enjoy it!
As part of this year’s Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, Wendy Jack was proud to present a very special and unique concert. Wendy performed a selection of songs each in someway inspired by Rathlin and her time living and working on the island. The concert took place in the beautiful surrounds of St. Thomas’s Church on Rathlin, situated right at the harbour looking out across the ‘Sound’.
Each of Wendy’s special guests provided extra magical moments… from the beautiful songs of renowned singer Jean Cleary to the intricate heartfelt harmonica playing from the legend Hugh Hainey. Then, a fitting finalé of sea shanties from the amazing ‘Tuned In Collective’ – pure joy!
Thanks to everybody who helped to make this event such a great success.
Here’s a short highlights video…