Dermot Kennedy reflects on giving up football for music: “I enjoy it as much, if not more, than music”

As part of his cover story interview in the new issue of Hot Press, Dermot Kennedy reflects on the loss of football from his life, as he pursued a career in music.

The interview coincides with the release of his chart-topping new album, Sonder, which follows 2019’s record-breaking Without Fear.

Throughout the interview, the Dublin singer-songwriter discusses the inspiration behind the album, the hard graft behind the fame, his newfound confidence, Glen Hansard, Bono, and Inhaler, as well as addressing some of the major sacrifices he’s had to make for his career – including football, having previously played for Crumlin United’s senior team.

“I loved it,” he tells Hot Press's Lucy O'Toole. “It was a very important part of my life. I was never going to do it [professionally] – I know a lot of people who are a lot better than me! But I do miss it. I enjoy it as much, if not more, than music. Definitely. The peace of mind it gives me is fucking massive.”

Does he get any chance to play these days?

“No – it does my head in,” he resumes. “You hear about certain performers being on stage, and being like, ‘I just feel totally free. I feel so at peace.’ But I don’t. That’s football for me. That’s the only time my head’s empty – playing football.”

Elsewhere in the interview, he discusses his fears about stardom, as someone who cherishes his privacy, and his sense of normality.

“Sometimes, as quite an ambitious person, I find myself wishing, ‘Oh, I’d love for this song to do this…’" Dermot reflects. "Or, ‘I’d love to be at this point by next year…’ But then, I sometimes think I have to be careful what I wish for. Because to be honest, I’m in a really nice spot. We’re playing some iconic venues all around the world, but also I can walk around that city all day, and I might bump into like two people who know who I am. I live in this lovely middle ground at the moment, where I play these massive venues – but also I don’t have to hide in my hotel room all day. That means a lot to me.

“I had a little bit of that in the Philippines – we had to have a security guard, and it was awkward,” he adds. “I was like, ‘I’d rather chill in my room and watch movies, than walk to the coffee shop with two guys beside me’. But it gave me a little insight into how sometimes people can just feel like they’re in a cage, and that’s scary to me.”

The full interview is available to read now in the new issue of Hot Press – in shops now, and available to order online below: