After years spent quietly crafting, refining, and living the songs that would eventually make their way onto his latest work, acclaimed singer-songwriter Brendan Welch is gracing us with his new album, ‘Returning’, out now. Emotionally stirring and sonically rich, ‘Returning’ is Brendan’s first full-length release since 2016 and marks a bold evolution in his artistic story.
A deeply textured body of work, the album weaves together indie swagger, sweet folk, Americana twang, and singer-songwriter introspection, all stemming from what Welch describes as "an almost obsessive pursuit of making beautiful things." The songs are the result of many years’ work and chart a profound inner journey through Welch’s own personal cyclical terrain of joy, anxiety, and depression, before ultimately finding joy again.
With the project capturing a long period of life—“all the good and bad of being alive”—we took the chance to catch up with Brendan to discuss his artistic foundations, his unique writing process, and the core message he hopes to convey through his new release.
Hey Brendan, it’s great to be able to catch up with you, thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions. When did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
“I was always drawn to music, played a bit of piano as a kid - didn’t take to the lessons but loved making up chords and improvising whenever I saw a piano - I started writing music when I was 17 - got my first guitar and became obsessed with the folk / blues / country music of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and the like whilst also listening to great pop music and all the bands of the 90’s (what a time!) and all those that had inspired them.”
Can you tell us a bit about the new album ‘Returning’ and what it means to you?
“’Returning’ is much like my previous two albums in that it took me a long time and it’s a collection of the songs that survived the writing period! I write most days (usually just a melody or the shape of a song) and then move on - the songs that have the strongest pull for me then get to be finished and turned into something I feel is finished. In that way ‘Returning’ reflects a long period of time - all the good and bad of being alive.”
Are there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the project?
“I’m always inspired by all kinds of music, from the pop stars to the romantic composers and everything in between. When I’m trying to make a record though, I tend not to listen to much music, not sure why but I need to really focus in on what I’m doing. Also I’m constantly watching films and reading and trying to stay present in all the ways I can.”
What is your songwriting process? How does it all come together?
“I try and ‘receive’ a melody first - sit and attempt to hear it in my head before I hum or sing it - usual no words will come then but sometimes they do - then I try and find harmony to that melody in chords. You can do it the other way around (and I have often) but I think melody first is the way for me.”
What’s the most important thing when you’re writing a song?
“Just that it be in some way interesting, beautiful and true.”
How would you describe your sound on your latest release? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
“I’m always trying to get to what I hear in my head - each recording is hopefully another step towards that - I never feel like I quite get there which spurs me onto the next thing!”
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?
“Just that sadness and depression and anxiety come and go - in (hopefully) smaller and smaller cycles - that joy can be the default.”
What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out and trying to find their sound?
“Be true to what you want to hear, if it feels easy that’s not necessarily bad, try to always be a little weird, if you get stuck go back to the point that if it feels right and then clear what comes after, if it’s not working just scrap it and move on - there’s a million songs waiting out there, don’t be too precious.”
The depth of feeling and lyrical honesty within ‘Returning’ is what makes Welch’s music resonate so deeply. Much of his perspective as a writer is informed by his experience growing up a closeted gay man in Australia, not coming out until his mid-twenties. The album itself was recorded and mixed by Rohan Sforcina at the legendary Head Gap studios before its tragic destruction by fire.
‘Returning’ is not just an album of songs but a candid chapter from Brendan Welch’s life; one that beautifully articulates the experience of navigating darkness to find light. From his roots playing the piano as a child, through to his current focus on melody and truth, Brendan’s journey as an artist is one of persistent, humble evolution. His commitment to creating something "interesting, beautiful, and true" is what makes ‘Returning’ such a rewarding and deeply resonant listen, cementing his place as one of the UK’s most thoughtful singer-songwriters.
You can listen to the new album now, and for more, be sure to join Brendan Welch today on Instagram and Facebook.
