Singer-songwriter Jimi Cullen is to donate the proceeds of his next single ‘Keep Your Head Up Now My Friend’ to Headstrong, the non-profit organisation supporting young peoples mental health in Ireland. The track ‘Keep Your Head Up Now My Friend’ is taken from Cullen’s third album Life, and its release on September 2, 2015 will be proceeded on August 26 with a specially made video created by Rachel Gregan.
According to the Irish singer-songwriter, who deals with numerous social and political subjects in his songs ‘Mental health has become an urgent issue, especially among our young people. I am delighted that an organisation as active as headstrong have agreed to use my song ‘Keep Your Head Up Now My Friend’ to raise awareness of their efforts and also to generate funds’. Welcoming Jimi Cullen’s active support, Dr. Tony Bates, CEO and Founding Director of Headstrong said “We are deeply indebted to Jimi and grateful that he said the fit between his song and youth mental health”. Dr. Bates went on to say that Jimi’s lyrics are “Raw and the real deal. It’s obvious that Jimi is gifted and in his music I can hear the influences of Bob Dylan and John Prine. Jimi sings in his own Wexford accent and there is such a ring of truth off the lyrics. It’s lived experience and will reach so many young people”. “Jimi’s lyrics on his album Life echo much of Headstrongs ‘My World Survey’ www.headstrong.ie/research/my-world-survey/ as it speaks to many key themes such as the power of music as a help for young people age 12-25. Of course Jimi is already on the front line through his Youth Work in County Wexford, that experience ripples through the whole album and ensures that each note and lyric is both real and relevant to young people in Ireland today. We also need to thank Jackie Hayden, formerly of Hot Press for bringing this lovely project to us and thinking of young people and of Headstrong. Thanks again to Jimi and all involved in the performing and recording of this song”. ‘Keep Your Head Up Now My Friend’ will be released worldwide through Itunes, Google Play and Amazon on September 2nd 2015 and Cullen will also embark on a series of live dates in support of the single.
Catch him live at the following venues: Sep 01st – Gallagher’s, Cork Sep 08th – Darkey Kelly’s, Dublin Sep 11th – Harvest Festival, Waterford Sep 12th – Katie Daly’s, Gorey Sep 13th – Harvest Festival, Waterford Sep 14th – The International Bar, Dublin Sep 17th – The Lansdowne Hotel, Belfast Sep 19th – The Leitrim Lounge, Wicklow Sep 23rd – McPhails, Drogheda Sep 25th – Carranstown Lodge, Duleek Sep 30th – The Globe, Dublin Oct 01st – The White House, Limerick Oct 06th – Gallagher’s, Cork Oct 08th – Mc Kenna’s, Monaghan Oct 26th – The Harbour Bar, Bray Oct 28th – The Sky and the Ground, Wexford Oct 30th – Bolg Bui, New Ross
