MICK McHUGH BIO

Irish singer-songwriter Mick McHugh may be a relative newcomer to Australia but he has quickly made a name for himself on the local music scene. After moving here from Dublin 3 years ago with his Aussie wife and daughter, the Australian media and public was quick to liken him to "an Irish Cat Stevens" (Northern Star, NSW).
He recently released his debut EP, and the title track, "A Long Way From Home", was shortlisted in the nationwide 2008 Australian Songwriters Association contest. The CD features top notch musicians who incidentally also recorded on Pete Murray's latest CD.
On top of this, and with his second child on the way, Mick has released his follow up CD, “Dad”, to celebrate Father’s Day and his performance at this year’s Fatherhood Festival, where he opened the show for Damien Leith on the Saturday night and the main stage for Jeff Lang and Tex Perkins on the Sunday.
As well as regular gigs in the Byron Shire, Mick actively participates in community projects. He has created a new monthly Folk Night in Federal, which donates 10% to community projects. He participated in this year’s Harmony Day in Byron Bay, and is running the Craic Tent at Southbank’s Green Fest in October. He is currently coordinating the entertainment and providing PA at the Federal Pre-school fundraiser on 27th September.
In 2006-2007, Mick was part of the Irish Walk for Peace from Perth to Byron Bay, for which he wrote the theme song for the forthcoming documentary. He has played his songs live on community radios, ABC radio and Channel 10 TV. One of Mick's songs is featured on an Irish compilation CD to help raise funds for an orphanage for displaced Tibetan children in Nepal.
Mick delivers his songs with a passion, reminiscent of the Irish Balladeers of old, but with a distinct contemporary flavour of a young man who truly wears his heart on his sleeve.