Irish singer and songwriter Pat Byrne has announced that he'll be releasing the first single from his new album, entitled Rituals on 28 September, with the album itself following in mid-October.

Like the single, the new album is also entitled Rituals. And Pat Byrne says "no one genre" dictates the mix, which ranges from rock to pop, and folk with a splash of blues.

Pat Byrne has come a long way since winning the inaugural season of The Voice of Ireland. “Being famous is not what it’s about for me,” Pat Byrne reflects. “The most fulfilling for me, over the last couple of years, has been making the music I want to make; creating something from nothing and watching it grow into a full-blown piece of music.”

He adds, “The creative process of getting a finished product, that you’ve written yourself, and you can stand over it and be proud of it; that’s my favorite,” said Byrne. “And, there’s almost a therapy to it as well. “

With an eye on America, Pat Byrne even moved over to Austin, Texas, which he says has opened a whole new world of music for him.

“It’s terrifying, but I’ve never felt so alive musically. Every night I go see a new gig; and I’m blown away. And I get chances to play with those people and it’s inspiring,” says Byrne. "I’ve been writing much better stuff since coming here.”