EQ Music Interview with Owen Rua
In this EQ Music interview with rising Irish artist Owen Rua, we talk about his journey from small Irish to the fast-paced streets of London, his soulful yet infectious brand of pop, and the heartfelt storytelling that runs through his music. He opens up about his latest single “The Simple Things”, the joy of connecting with audiences, and what fans can expect from his upcoming birthday performance at The Camden Club. With honesty, humour, and undeniable charisma, Owen proves he’s a pop artist with both heart and hook.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where are you living? What kind of music do you make?
I’m Owen Rua, a singer-songwriter from Tralee, a small town in Co. Kerry, Ireland. I recently moved to London, which has been a bit of a culture shock, going from a place where you know everyone on the street to a city where you can get lost just trying to change Tube lines. My music is pop with a soulful, emotional edge. I write a lot about my own ups and downs, self-discovery, and connection, and I always try to keep it honest and heartfelt, but also melodic and fun to sing along to.
We are very excited to be featuring you on our New Music Showcase on 24th October at The Camden Club in London, tell us a little bit about what you are going to bring to us on the stage.
I’m so excited for this show, especially since it falls on my birthday, which makes it feel extra special. I’ll be playing a set of original songs, including a brand-new single that’s coming very soon. My shows usually blend catchy pop hooks with emotional moments, and I like to talk and share stories between songs, so no two sets are ever quite the same. Expect energy, honesty, and probably a little bit of birthday chaos.
We love your latest release “The Simple Things” – tell us a little bit about this song.
“The Simple Things” is about slowing down and appreciating the everyday moments we often overlook. I wrote it at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed, and it became a reminder for me to reconnect with small but meaningful things such as coffee with a friend, a laugh, a sunset. Performing it live has been really special: at several shows, audiences have sung the chorus back to me and reacted to the lyrics in ways that reminded me why I wrote it in the first place. It’s a song about grounding yourself, and it’s been amazing to see how people connect with it.
Owen Rua and Steve Denyer at Virgin Radio Pride in London
When it comes to music influences, who are your greatest heroes in the pop music space both legacy and new?
I’ve always been drawn to big vocalists and storytellers, artists like Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, and Celine Dion have been huge inspirations. More recently, I’ve been inspired by artists like Troye Sivan and Charli XCX, who are pushing pop in fresh directions. My taste is very varied though! One day it’s opera, the next it’s dance or rock. I think that variety seeps into my own music and keeps it evolving.
What was the last concert or gig you went to?
The last big concert I went to was Sabrina Carpenter in Hyde Park, and she was incredible. I half joked with my friends afterwards that I’m basically doing the budget version of that show at Camden Club but honestly, I love the intimacy of smaller venues. Since moving to London, I’ve been to loads of open mics and friends’ gigs, and there’s something really inspiring about that closeness between the artist and the audience.
Any parting words for our EQ Music Blog readers?
Thanks so much for supporting new music! It really means the world to independent artists like me. Keep an eye out for my next single coming very soon, and if you catch me live, you can expect heartfelt songs, a few stories, and maybe a little unplanned chaos along the way.
Don’t miss out on discovering Owen Rua for yourself. You can catch him live on Friday night, 24th October at The Camden Club for our New Music Showcase, alongside some of the best and brightest new pop talent we’ve curated for you – it’s EQ approved!
Follow Owen on social media at @owenruamusic to stay tuned for what’s next.
