By John Doyle
Some artists actively seek publicity, but Davy Collins prefers to let his work speak for itself. As a young man on the rise, he has been featured at many arts festivals and identifies primarily as a musician. His poetry and music reflect the world around him and convey a desire for authentic self-expression. Collins, from Finglas, has shared multiple songs and poems online, each highlighting his creative talent that continues to evolve.
I spoke with Davy about his writing, influences, and plans, as well as getting a taste for his lyrical style, which reflects his creative influences – Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson, in particular. Originally from Oxfordshire in England and now based in North Dublin, Davy Collins is slowly but surely making a name for himself.
As one would expect from someone so creative, he doesn’t mince his words when it comes to explaining his creative self – “I can’t say that poetry has ever truly inspired me because I am more interested in music. I consider myself to be a songwriter”, Davy notes. However, he is aware of problems that labels can cause across the board, adding, “But what is the difference between a poem and a song? One is something you sing, while the other is something you read. But I’d be lying if I said music didn’t inspire me.”
His way with words came to him serendipitously. However, Mr. Collins himself, in that no-nonsense way, avoided any poetic romance – “I started writing poetry in school because I was sick of sketching or colouring all day!” He says.
From those beginnings, Davy has come a long way. Sharing some of his work with me, he refers to one poem, “Flamingo”, which he regards as his finest work. The poem reads like lyrics from lesser-known Bob Dylan or Phil Lynott compositions. The poem is packed with flowing, colourful images of a nightclub floor and the vivid scene as the main character takes centre stage. One is drawn to one song, Thin Lizzy’s 1974 single “Randolph’s Tango“, which inexplicably failed to make any serious chart impact. Through Davy’s words, such an injustice might finally be put right.
Mr. Collins takes such pride in this piece, and rightfully so. It’s a composition that could work equally well as the words of any classic Irish song from the past, present, or indeed the future – not just Phil Lynnott and Thin Lizzy.
Musical Influences
Musically speaking, Davy Collins has an international outlook regarding his influences. He admires some of America and Canada’s finest singers and songwriters. Asked whom he admires most about music, he immediately refers to “Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. When they sang, they sang with purpose and stood for something.” Hearing some of Davy Collins’ performances online, a similar sense of guile comes pushing through his stark, beautiful, and often gritty words. Dylan’s imagery and Cash’s world-weariness are apparent in Davy’s voice and delivery.
Talking to Mr. Collins about his plans and upcoming projects, he harks back to the musical side of his character. “I am planning on putting together a group of Traveller singers to make an album of 15 songs with the help of Ger Foley and Andy Barron”, Davy says.
This project will be a challenge for Davy and his colleagues, as he admits that “it will not be easy because we have been looking for funding to back this project for the last three years and have yet to be granted or awarded any.” Knowing his strength of character, it should not take some time for that obstacle to be conquered. He advised me to check out some of the music he and his friends have put online – “We’ve done one song that I wrote, and Andy Barron sang it with music done by myself, Ger Foley, and Andy – it’s on YouTube under the name Controversial Kings”.
Future Projects
As suggested earlier, Davy Collins wishes to be seen as more than “just” a poet. The Finglas man has compiled his poetic and musical influences over the years, culminating in this latest work. While hard work and dedication are paying off for Davy and his creative pals, he’s wise enough to know that although poets and musicians can work incredibly hard to gain recognition, that old beast of nepotism can appear. He cautiously notes, “It is not what you know but who you know, and it is not easy to get involved in the arts financially”.
Ask any performer in any area of the arts – musician, poet, actor – you name it – what their favourite aspect of their art is, and you will regularly hear them mention live performance. Davy is no different. Now well used to audiences, he tells me what stands out, especially when he steps up there and approaches the microphone – “I’ve performed on stage with a song I wrote called The Tax Man, and everyone appreciated it and the message it sent. I’ve also performed poetry, but it is stripped back; it’s just you and your words. Music creates a sense of community, even with the audience.” A cautious man when it comes to channelling his muses, Davy Collins admits, “I write about anything that comes to mind or inspires me at the time; I don’t have a set theme – I’d run out of ideas if I did.”
Inspiration
Returning to those ideas he speaks about, a line from “Flamingo” suggests that nothing stops him when those ideas flow. Lines like “She glides in with a careless stroll/never blends with the crowd” indicate a creative mind Ireland should hear more of. Mr. Collins’ powers of observation, tuned in with his eye for the moments and people around him, suggests that we are in for some memorable songs and poetry over the next few years.
Let the experience begin here and check out Davy Collins in performance the first chance you get. As his online videos show, he’s a seasoned and genial performer – be it renditions of his poetry or the songs he loves to perform so much, sometimes with friends, sometimes as a solo artist. You certainly won’t regret that, no more than those Irish people who saw Thin Lizzy, Mary Coughlan, Damien Dempsey, or Steo in their early days of performing.
Flamingo
Flamingo likes to tango on the sunset floor
Time seems to stop when Flamingo walks in the door
Champagne in the hand;Flamingo looks grand
Heels so high, legs are so tall
Flamingo dressed in champagne pink wanted by them all
Rose in hair skin golden brown
Eyes full of wonder of big, green and round
Flamingo never shows off
She knows she stands out
She glides in with a careless stroll Never blends with the crowd
She is elegant and ladylike ,stays out of trouble, and doesn’t like to fight
Flamingo likes to tango on the sunset floor
This is where you see her shape, And everyone’s in awe
Time stops when you see her
It goes slowly by
Then She’ll turn and say to you it’s late and goodbye
