Having released the biggest single of 2018 with 'Shotgun' and the best selling album with Staying at Tamara's, George Ezra has spent the past 18 months becoming a fully fledged stadium rocker. His last show in Ireland - as one of the second tier headliners for Electric Picnic - was one of the most well-attended performances at the festival, prompting Irish festival bookers to trip over themselves to give him a summertime show.

The good news is that the delightfully cheery balladeer will be returning to Ireland to play during the peak of summer - June 21 - at Malahide Castle.

In the latest issue of Hot Press, as part of our extensive feature on the Malahide gigs, we've included a lengthy reflection from Mr. Ezra himself, where he talks about the making of Staying At Tamara's, as well as his views on fame, acclaim, touring, and returning home.

"For the first record, I inter-railed around Europe and that really helped me out," he tells us. "And I learnt, once I'd come off tour after the first album, 'Fuck George, you're really not being creative when you're at home.' What I was doing, essentially, was waking up each day with a plan to write. I'd set the alarm for 8am like I had a normal job. The alarm would go off, I'd go downstairs, have a bit of brekkie, pick up a guitar, and try and write...And nothing would come. I'd say, 'It's fine George, don't beat yourself up. Try again tomorrow.'

"But after two months of that, it starts to wear you down, because you put your head on the pillow knowing that you didn't do what you set out to do that day. And I think no matter what your goal is, if you set out to do it and don't achieve it, you feel a lack of purpose. I didn't like that. It was only after going to Barcelona and living for a month with a stranger - named Tamara, who I dedicated the album to - that a lot of the album's purpose and inspiration came to me."

You can read the full piece in the latest issue of Hot Press, which is on the shelves now. Or you can order online below: