Shay O’Dowd is rolling into his next EP 'Saying It Now’ with second single ‘Since We Divided’ and a headline show at St Luke’s in his hometown to crown a huge year.

After selling out a gig at King Tut’s without releasing any music, a momentous debut headline show described as “a night to remember, perhaps one which will be boasted as an ‘I was there’ sort of moment for years to come”, releasing his debut EP ‘Growing Pains’ back in June and following it up with stand alone single ‘Back In A Heartbeat’ which was picked up as a track of the week at BBC Scotland, Shay O’Dowd is rolling into his next EP 'Saying It Now’ with new single ‘Since We Divided’ and a headline show at St Luke’s.

Inspired by the likes of Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, and Noah Kahan, Shay finds writing about other people most interesting. “I am passionate about people and communication; both of which have served me well in the world of songwriting. I value authenticity and honesty as an artist, writing songs that capture the beautiful complexities of life.”

Shay says: “Since We Divided is a song that I wrote a few years ago but it’s had a huge impact on my career since then. I was 18 and wrote it just after coming back from Canada where I was lucky enough to do an internship for a few months (nothing music related). I had met someone out there and although it was only a brief relationship, it sparked the inspiration behind writing this song. I learned a lot in those few months away on my own, one of them being that we're all forever growing and changing which means not all relationships are meant to be permanent. I wanted to write a song that captured that sort of “write person wrong time” scenario.

“I remember coming home from the session after writing it and playing it to my parents. I genuinely had never got a reaction for them like that before as they're always brutally honest. So I played it to a few more people and the reaction was the same. It felt like the first song that actually gave me confidence in my songwriting, and I knew the bar had been set for the next songs to follow.”

Talking on his previous EP from May ‘Growing Pains’ Shay says, “It hopefully encourages people to hold their loved ones a little tighter and appreciate every moment with them. I want this EP to allow people to feel youthful again and spread a little more love to those around them”.

O’Dowd was announced as the Breakthrough Award Winner at the prestigious Scottish Music Awards 2025. You can listen to his music here.

Tickets for the gig at Saint Luke’s are on sale here.