How I Became A Wave Announces Debut Album Release for 27 March
By How I Became A Wave announces self-titled debut album
– for release 27 March 2026
Shares new single ‘Sea Swell’
Headline shows in Dublin and Cork on sale now
ALBUM PRE-ORDER
How I Became A Wave have announced the release of their self-titled debut album for 27 March 2026 → Pre-save here
Two full band headline shows, at Coughlan’s, Cork (12 April) and The Unitarian Church, Dublin (17 April) are on sale now, in addition to upcoming supports with acclaimed US singer-songwriter Joan Shelley → Tickets here
To accompany the announcement, new single, ‘Sea Swell’, is released today – a song that grows with a quiet intensity, opening into a powerful full-band crescendo that has already become a standout moment in live shows → Stream here
Lush in strings and pedal steel, the nine-track How I Became A Wave album features contributions from some of Ireland’s most accomplished musicians, headed up by Pat Carey, and featuring string and piano arrangements by Cormac McCarthy (RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Iarla O’Lionáird). How I Became A Wave will be available across all streaming platforms, as a digital download and as a 12″ gatefold vinyl – with limited edition signed copies available via Bandcamp – that brings together music and visual art, featuring cover artwork based on the original oil painting ‘Towards Pabaigh’ by Scottish artist Ellis O’Connor, design by West Cork creative Megan Clancy, insert image by Cork-based artist Leslie Allen Spillane, and handwritten liner notes and lyrics from Pat Carey, who steers How I Became A Wave as a collaborative, multidisciplinary project → Pre-order here
Pat Carey says: “At the heart of How I Became A Wave is a sense of collaboration – of connection between artists. Inviting artists of different disciplines into the creative process has been key to the journey. Understanding how other people see, hear and feel my work has been enlightening, affirming and vital, making sure that what we have created is a living body of work that I hope will continue to be expressed in changing ways.”
Live support slots with Joan Shelley, Lisa Hannigan, Villagers, Gemma Hayes, Niamh Regan, Ailbhe Reddy, John Spillane and more further cement the quality of this project, demonstrating the backing it has received from some of the genre’s most respected artists. Festival appearances at Your Roots Are Showing, Quiet Lights and Sounds From A Safe Harbour have continued to build momentum, introducing the work to new audiences.
In addition to new single ‘Sea Swell’, the album features previously-released singles ‘05:00’, ‘Fading Out’ and ‘Cycles’, all of which have received strong support from the likes of RTÉ Radio 1, BBC Radio Ulster, Red FM, Galway Bay FM, The Irish Independent, KLOF, Nialler9, Genuine Irish, Hot Press, Golden Plec and more.
Streaming performance has also been particularly impressive for an independent release, with over 10,000 YouTube streams within weeks, around 10,000 Spotify monthly listeners and hundreds of editorial, algorithmic and third-party playlist adds. For music as delicate and immersive as How I Became A Wave’s, being heard amongst the cacophony speaks to its quality and resonance.
How I Became A Wave was recently named in the Irish Independent’s Ones to Watch for 2026. They wrote: “Pat Carey makes music that quietly acknowledges the strength it takes to be vulnerable, and the comfort that comes from creativity and collaboration” – perfectly summing up the ethos of this project, which has been a long time in the making.
Carey says: “I have sat with these songs, pulled and pushed at them for what seems like a decade now. It’s taken that long to come to a place where I can sit comfortably with my own voice, where I can embrace both the vulnerability and strength of authentic self expression.” Across nine songs, How I Became A Wave features performances from musicians such as Carey’s former The Hard Ground band mates Davie Ryan (percussion & banjo – Notify, Pa Sheehy, Mary Coughlan, Donal Lunny, Niall McCabe Band) and Hugh Dillon (guitar – Notify, Niall McCabe Band); pianist Rory McCarthy (Pa Sheehy, Niall McCabe Band); cellists Laura McFadden (Clare Sands) and Aoife Burke (Banbha Quartet); guitarists Kealan Kenny (YOUTH, Pa Sheehy, TOUCAN, Niall McCabe, Allie Sherlock) and David Murphy; baritone clarinet player Matthew Berrill (Iarla O’Lionáird, Mick Flannery); Maria Ryan (Strung Music, Crash Ensemble) on violin and viola; harpist Aisling Urwin (Woven Kin, Ajeet) and multiinstrumentalist Brian Casey (John Spillane, Cathy Davey, Gemma Hayes, John Blek).
Cormac McCarthy (RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Iarla O’Lionáird) has arranged a number of tracks on the album for piano and strings.
Recorded at Wavefield Studios and Under The Umbrella Studios, Cork.
Produced by Pat Carey and Davie Ryan.
Mixed by Ber Quinn.Mastered by Sam Proctor at Lismore Mastering.
Live Dates
Saturday 17 Jan – Belfast – The Waterfront (Your Roots Are Showing)
Sunday 1 February – Cork – Coughlan’s (Niamh Regan support)
Sunday 29 March – Dublin – Whelan’s (Joan Shelley support)
Sunday 12 April – Cork – Coughlan’s (Album Launch Show)
Friday 17 April – Dublin – The Unitarian Church (Album Launch Show)
presented by Singular Artists
Tickets on sale now from howibecameawave.com
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