Mark Duffy steps into the spotlight today with the release of “I Will Be With You Always,” a stirring debut single that introduces the Dublin-born musician not simply as a seasoned guitarist and collaborator, but as a fully realized band leader with a sound carved from grit, instinct, and soul.

After more than two decades immersed in music, Duffy has arrived at a defining moment. The songwriter and performer has spent years busking through Ireland and France, sharpening his craft on the streets before moving into session work alongside established musicians. Those experiences built the foundation for an artist deeply rooted in collaboration, improvisation, and emotional honesty. Now, with “I Will Be With You Always,” Duffy channels those years into something deeply personal and unmistakably his own.

Duffy shares:

“I Will Be With You Always” is the catalyst of my new EP “Dreamer Dream On”. It was first recorded as an early demo on an acoustic guitar in a remote location out on The Wild Atlantic Way, Co Kerry Ireland. A month later I arrived in Audioland studios Co Kildare, with the rough version of the song to meet the brilliant producer Anthony Gibney. Once we listened to the song, we made a plan to get in touch with the drummer Dave Hingerty (Kila, The Frames) and the bass player Brian Hogan (Kila, Preachers Son). Dave and Brian then joined us in the studio for a session where they added their creative input and we recorded their instruments. Following this recording session I went to see a Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds show. It was my first experience of seeing them live and I had no idea what to expect. It was a mezmerising performance, I’d go as far as to say a spiritual awakening, reminding me of the power of music and a common goodness in people in a world that is so troubled. They were joined by gospel backing singers that layered an ethereal texture to the soundscape. It was a transcendental experience to behold. Walking home after the show over The East Link Bridge that stretches over The River Liffey Co Dublin, I imagined these gospel singers singing the harmonies of the song and how they would suit its energy. Now that the track had bass and a backbeat, I decided to make contact with Wendi Rubee Rose, one of the 4 singers from the concert in Dublin. Wendi and her team Janet Ramus and TJ Cole agreed to sing the harmonies. I flew to London to meet them at Surrey Studios. We recorded their vocals with studio owner Jack Vasiliou. It was amazing to work with them and have their unique sound added to the project. So from Dublin to Kildare to London .I’d like to announce the release of my new single, “I Will Be With You Always.”

Driven by blues-soaked guitar work, raw rock-and-roll energy, and a fearless commitment to spontaneity, the track captures the electricity that has become synonymous with Duffy’s live performances. There is an unfiltered intensity to the music, balancing precision with the kind of looseness that only comes from years spent chasing authentic moments rather than polished perfection. Every note feels lived-in, every vocal line charged with emotion.

The release also marks the beginning of a new creative chapter shaped by landscape and isolation. While writing the material for his latest project, Duffy relocated from Dublin to County Kerry on Ireland’s rugged west coast. Swapping city life for mountains, Atlantic winds, and long stretches of silence, he immersed himself in a slower rhythm centered around sea swimming and trail running. The environment became inseparable from the songwriting itself.

That sense of place echoes throughout “I Will Be With You Always.” The song carries the haunting atmosphere of the Irish coastline while drawing from old-world folklore and timeless blues traditions. Rather than leaning into modern production trends, Duffy embraces something organic and elemental, creating a sound that feels equally intimate and cinematic. It is music built on tension, texture, and emotional release — stripped of excess and grounded in instinct.

To bring the songs to life, Duffy returned to Dublin to record at Audioland Studios alongside producer Anthony Gibney. He assembled a powerhouse lineup that includes drummer Dave Hingerty and bassist Brian Hogan, musicians known for their ability to blend technical mastery with emotional depth.

The debut single is elevated further by the presence of gospel vocalists Wendie Rubee Rose, Janet Ramus, and TJ Cole, whose harmonies add a sweeping spiritual dimension to the track. Together, the ensemble creates something expansive yet deeply human, balancing raw rock instrumentation with moments of transcendence.

“I Will Be With You Always” arrives today as both an introduction and a statement of intent from an artist who has spent years refining his voice away from the spotlight. For Mark Duffy, this is not a reinvention. It is the sound of everything finally coming together.