Following a whirlwind summer of songwriting, performing, and charting, Isaac Butler has released his new single ‘Heart of Gold’, ahead of the upcoming headline show at Dublin’s Academy on December 1st. I caught up with the singer-songwriter to have a chat about his upcoming show, his plans for the rest of the year and how he created his new single.

‘Heart of Gold’ is a wholesome heartfelt tune brimming with anthemic melodies and passionate songwriting. Butler explained the personal story behind the track.

“Yes, so it’s a funny one. It actually came about from a conversation that I had with my dad. The pre-chorus leading into the chorus, those lines are: “my dad said son you’ll find the one but love is never easy” and this whole conversation came about because I had just ended a relationship and I was feeling almost worried and anxious about like, oh my god I’m getting on. I’m into my mid to late 20s and I’ve just broken up with or from a long relationship like, what’s the story? Am I going to dial up? I was freaking out, I suppose and he let me have my panic, kind of 10 minute rant. Then he just looked at me and said right are you finished? and then gave me some advice and he said, Look, you need to relax. Just chill out. It’ll all happen. If you get out of your own way. I suppose it was those two lines. My dad said son, you’ll find the one, love is never easy and then I wrote the song around that idea.”

As in all of Butler’s songs, the lyrics are relatable, express a sense of vulnerability and are deeply honest. This earnest quality enriches his songs and makes the listener really connect.

“Is it hard for me to put out there? Yeah, it probably is. But I’m getting much better at it. I think I fell into this trap when I was first releasing music of, well not a trap but I suppose this works both ways. But I was writing songs that weren’t too personal. There were stories that I heard or even things sometimes that I just kind of created and what I found is in recent years is the songs that really connect are the songs that I can talk openly [ about ], like this. I think it comes [ across ] in the actual recording. Then when I’m speaking about them, like in this situation I can really get into the deep tissue of what the songs actually mean to me. I think that’s what connects with people more so than catchy melodies all that kind of thing.”

‘Heart of Gold’ has Celtic elements sweeping between indie guitars, pop melodies and an anthemic chorus. We discussed the production and how Butler envisioned the song’s sound when he first wrote it.

“I started with those two lines. Obviously, that’s what I build the song around, but I had the “My Heart of gold” I had that chant in my head on the first day and I again, tried to build the chorus around that big chant because I always come back to the reason I’m doing this is I want to play big shows. I want to have people belting out these songs and I think the best way to do that is, there’s three things that I’ve put it down to; tell the truth. Number two, make them anthemic and three, make them emotional. But yeah the big guitars and also all the vocals was definitely a very important part to me even from day one of writing the song and I made that very clear when we went in to produce it.”

The new single is released ahead of what will be Butler’s biggest headline show to date at Dublin’s Academy on December 1st. 

“I’m very excited. Yes, I’m very excited. I got some tickets to sell, but I’m very excited. So Whelan’s obviously was in March. That was great. So they seemed to really enjoy it. I loved it and then yeah, moving now towards The Academy. It’s going to be obviously my biggest headline to date, but my biggest production to date as well. I’m bringing in some lights guy, sound team and stuff. So yeah, it’s really going to be a level-up. So for anyone listening that wants to come along, it’d be great to have you there because it’s really going to be I suppose my best showcase to date”

Upon listening to Heart of Gold, the listener gets an instant feeling that the song is going to be epic live. Its powerful chorus sparks images of crowd’s bellowing it back live. I wondered if Butler had a particular track that he is excited to perform in The Academy.

“There’s a few unreleased ones, you know super emotional ones I’m gonna probably chat about a little bit before I play them on the night. I’m excited to see how they go down. There’s going to be a couple where [ it’s ] myself and the guitar. I always liked doing that. But yeah  ‘Heart of Gold’, ‘On The Run’, ‘Devil on my Shoulder’ they’re always just so much fun to play”

Butler is becoming quite the confident performer on stage and we discussed how he approaches his interactions with the crowd at his shows.

“ I really used to struggle with it quite a lot and that’s only because I felt like it was a little bit ill-prepared. I’m kind of comfortable enough now where if something happens, I can pick up on it. I think my starting out or even up until a couple of years ago, I probably rushed through the sets quite a lot, just a little bit of nerves, a little bit of anxiety, but now I feel I’m more mature, more confident and able to control myself a little bit more as well.”

“It’s a funny one even as an up and coming performer. For instance you can’t do full band shows three or four times a week unless you’re doing a tour but you need to do that to get to that level. It’s a funny chicken-and-egg situation. I’d love to be doing full band shows three or four or five times a week. But you have to create that demand first and then hopefully the demand is there and like, oh god, I’ve only done a few full band shows but you got to roll with it a little bit.”

Butler’s upcoming headline show at Dublin’s Academy on December 1st comes fresh off the heels of a sold-out performance at Whelan’s main room in April. December is always a good time for shows as everyone is in high spirits and love a good December show.

“I think so. I was lucky enough to get a Friday, which is great. The Whelan’s headline was 31st of March as well. So it was a nice gap. But yeah, it felt natural to have that on the first of December.”

Butler has previously sold out shows in ‘Whelans’ main room, ‘The Grand Social’ and ‘The Soundhouse’ and amassed 3 million spotify streams for his singles (including ‘Moon Song’, Just One Night’ and ‘On The Run’). He is growing his following more and more each time I speak to him. We chatted about how he is finding getting this recognition for his work.

“ We probably first chatted five or six years ago, which is pretty crazy. Maybe five years ago. It was definitely before Covid Anyway.. But yeah its nice. Obviously Covid in between that and that was a major deal obviously for everyone for lots of reasons. But now the last couple of months it really seems to be growing nicely. So yeah I can’t complain. All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing,  chip away and hopefully get a bit lucky.”

Isaac Butler’s music is a delight to listen to. The artist has a wonderful ability to create expressive soundscapes and emotive lyrics that connect with the listener with ease. ‘Heart of Gold’ gives Butler the chance to showcase how he can take these qualities and deliver them through an exciting energetic and blistering sound. I have no doubt his show in The Academy in December with be one not to miss and Butler has some exciting plans for the rest of the year as well.

“ I’m supporting True Tides and their tour, their Irish tour. So that’s six dates in November, which should be great. Then leading up to obviously the Academy show on the first [ December ] and then I’m going on tour with Ryan McMullanin in December. That’s all of the support shows. I’ll be doing some smaller acoustic shows. I’m playing a few in the Hard Rock Cafe in October and November in Temple Bar. I’m toying with the idea of releasing another song before the gig. We’ll see. We’ll see.”

Stream ‘Heart of Gold’ Below

Author: Danu