My Weekend: West Cork does wonders for me

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m a 28-year-old musician from Cork. I work in IT and spend every other waking moment trying to finish an album I’ve been working on since 2020.

I’ve been making music for about 10 years now as jarjarjr. 

I started as a producer and have sharpening my sword as a songwriter and musician over the last few years. 

Which has led to me meet and collaborate with people like Max Zaska, whom I have a show with on Friday September 15 in Triskel Arts Centre.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I’m a mixed bag. I’m partial to hibernation. When I get in my reclusive introvert bag, I’ll hang out at home for weeks on end, working my way through “Top 50 Films to Watch Before you Die” lists and testing out new cocktail recipes. However, when the proverbial spring time rolls around as it quite often does... I really love to see a pal for a quiet pint in a quaint pub.

Lie ins or up with the lark ... which is it for you?

Ultimately, I’m a lie in kind of guy. However, we have a mini schnauzer at home who likes to seize the day. And so, it’s very rare that I’m not up with the lark and off to the park.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Absolutely not. I have a magnificent ability to forget things instantly. 

Sometimes a gift, sometimes a curse.

If money was no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would really like to visit Japan. I’ve always been drawn to different aspects of Japanese culture. As a child I did karate and as an adult I have developed a love for the architecture, the art and most recently the clothes.

Japan seems to have been a source of inspiration for a lot of artists I look up to. Right now, there’s a Dave Brubeck album on my desk called Jazz Impressions of Japan. I feel like Japan and I share an appreciation for craftmanship.

If money was no object, I’d spend a few weeks in Shibuya shopping for rare albums and Japanese clothing exclusives. Then pack my bags and head for Mt Fuji to decompress with my newly acquired goodies. I’d have to bring my girlfriend, although I’m sure she’d be mad about the lengthy flight. And, sure, since money is no object, let’s book a first-class seat for the dog too. Japan is schnauzer territory.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

Cliché as it may be, West Cork does wonders for me. I spent a few days reading/swimming/disconnecting down in Skibbereen over the summer and it was the best holiday I’ve had in a long time.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

I like to catch up with everyone as often as I can. But time is my enemy i.e. I’m not great at divvying it out. 

The intended bi-monthly catchups are often bi-annual. 

But I really do love spending time with people that love spending time with me.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

The only thing remotely close to a hobby I’m doing at the moment is increasing the level of exercise I’m doing. I promised myself when I finished my album, I’d spend the time and money previously allocated to music on my physical health. So, I’m trying to frequent the gym a bit more, double the length of our morning walkies, eat well and work my body as much as my mind.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter, do you have a signature dish?

Definitely rather be entertained, and it really doesn’t take much. If I had to do the entertaining, you can be sure I’d be trying to cook something exceptionally complicated for the very first time. The end result would be sub-par and I’d be so stressed that you wouldn’t even want to dine with me.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

Coffee has to be Guji at the Marina Market. Bright Side on Washington St for lunch is always nice. Big fan of Izz Café for a casual guilt free dinner. For a special meal, I’d go for Sonflour on Castle Street. They often have intimate gigs there too. You might find yourself falling in love to the romantic crooning of someone like Dublin soul singer Uly. Who’ll be joining me for a Cork Jazz Weekend gig in Cyprus Avenue on October 28 at 14:30 FYI.

Sunday night comes around too fast, how do you normally spend it?

It sure does, I try to combat this by waking up as early as possible on Sunday. There’s a new sauna after opening up near us. So, we book that nice and early for Sunday morning and try squeeze some exercise in before it.

Get home, make a nice breakfast. With my new found zen I can then tackle one or two bits of work around the house and mentally prepare dinner plans. 

Then there’s nothing left to do but settle into something productive/relaxing for the rest of the day/night.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

Several times.

Upcoming gig

jarjarjr joins Max Zaska and other collaborators for a Soulful Alliance in Triskel Arts Centre on Friday, September 15, as part of Triskel’s WRITE RECORD PERFORM artist residency. Tickets from www.triskelartscentre.ie