AS one of Ireland's most popular singers, songwriters, musicians and occasional actors, it's hard to believe that Drogheda man SJ McArdle still hasn't released an official single....until now that is.

'Chin Up' is the first single culled from an album's worth of new material recorded in Nashville, but young Stephen Joseph is at pains to point out it is not a country album, rather what he terms 'futuristic roots music'.

'It was an amazing experience although it was different to be recording not a country single in the home of country music,' he says.

'It was very enjoyable though and we got to work with some musical greats and my producer Tim Lauer is able to take these legendary musicians and get them to do something that they wouldn't normally do'.

In fact, his forthcoming songs feature performances by Grammywinning singer songwriter and sometime Emmylou Harris collaborator Rodney Crowell and legendary Nashville sessioneers like Bryan Sutton (Ricky Skaggs, Dixie Chicks, Tony Rice), Richard Bennett (Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler) and Dan Dugmore ( James Taylor, Warren Zevon).

In the past while SJ has signed a major publishing deal with Jewel DC/Sony ATV, completed an arena tour of Germany and Switzerland with German rock giants Reamonn and travelled to Hollywood to perform at a star-studded Oscar party.

' We've been involved in some great projects in the past year too, like the Sunday Roasts in the Globe in South George's Street, but at the moment, it's all about promoting the single and after that, we will try and sort out a gig or two in town.'

The single will be released digitally on Friday, September 18th and will be available from iTunes and all the usual online retailers.

It will be available either on its own or as an EP featuring two other songs from the Nashville sessions – 'Personal Space' and a cover of Richard Thompson's 'I Misunderstood'.

- Alison COMYN