Dermot Kennedy talks to Hot Press ahead of the Friday April 3 release of his Weight Of The Woods album

In a major Hot Press cover interview, Dermot Kennedy has talked to us about the inspiration for his new Weight Of The Woods album which is out on Friday April 3 – and lots, lots more!

Asked how literally we should take the lyrics on what is a profoundly human record, Dermot says: “It’s all quite literal to me, ‘Trepidation’ being one of my favourites. I’m not saying that it’s something that necessarily happened to me, but what I’ve found to be of growing importance is the idea of different perspectives. I often think about my family and the other people I’m closest to.

"Especially in Ireland, we all have these feelings and stories and emotions, yet I’m the only one within my family and friend group who gets to write and sing about it and have this huge outlet. I find it useful to sometimes detach from my own story and connect to one of theirs.

“People go, ‘Is this line about your life?’ and it is, but oftentimes I can be singing from my Mam’s perspective or my friend’s perspective. It’s a very powerful thing and even more so on tour because I’m able to carry those people and relationships with me.”

A very handy footballer who won Man of The Match at Soccer Aid '25 – the Man U fan was seriously stoked to be handed his award by Bryan Robson at Old Trafford – Dermot says of tonight's game: “Having beaten Hungary, I was like, ‘Oh man, I wish it wasn’t that many months till the next game’ because I felt like we had this momentum going. Denmark is a different thing entirely, but against Czechia I’ll be optimistic and go 2-0 Ireland.”

Elsewhere in his blockbuster HP interview, Dermot talks about appearing with Noel and Mike Hogan from The Cranberries at the Hot Press History In The Making concert; his Dublin busking adventures; his admiration for Glen Hansard; Nashville nights and days; Lana Del Rey; AI and, well, you can discover what he's said for yourself in our new issue, in shops today, with Dermot on the cover.

You can pre-order the various Weight Of The Woods bundles from: https://ukstore.dermotkennedy.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorMoQpOdQv__-e7AvMdf0z_INEM2-AOtKRGDQszXrJpB8R1x-o4