Making it in music: Aaron J Hart

An interview with a talented young singer and songwriter, Aaron J Hart, about the trials and tribulations of the Irish music scene. 

In the competitive world of music, breaking through is no easy feat — especially for young artists navigating the journey from local gigs to the national stage, to international shows. 

With 430 active singers and songwriters in Dublin alone, according to ‘Hooley’, (and that’s just the ones who are registered with shows), it makes for a competitive scene with difficulty to make a name for yourself.  

Aaron J Hart, who has lived in London, Galway and now Dublin, is a name to look out for if you’re a fan of indie music. 

The 29-year-old has said, “Starting out is always going to be tough. I’ve been making music for nearly ten years now and I feel like this is still the start for me as an artist – so it is hard, but also amazing. Ireland as it stands has incredible talent with so much diversity.” 

Aaron just returned from a sold-out tour of five nights across the UK – performing solo and the first time performing all of his own songs. 

The songs he writes are, “…a reflection of myself. It’s the things I’ve been through and the things I battle on a day-to-day basis. Music for me is an outlet. Each song is a release of pressure from my mind.” 

The singer explains that Dublin has a very welcoming and respectful environment for the arts. 

Dublin has long been a cultural haven, where the arts are not just celebrated but truly embraced by the community. Musicians, writers, and visual artists find a supportive ecosystem here, with countless venues, galleries, and festivals providing platforms for emerging talent. 

Aaron has many fans, with a following of 12,000 on Instagram.

Though, with any publicity, can come the negativity, specifically online. 

“No matter what you do, people are always going to say something about you,” he tells the Liberty. “They’ll laugh at you, mock you, all of the above. But I always have said I might as well be having fun and loving the journey as I go. So, you have to ignore it, embrace your art!” 

One of Aaron’s songs, “Show Pain”, a single from 2018, has over one million listens on Spotify – an impressive affair.  

You can listen here.

As his career gains momentum, this indie singer is proving that he’s not just a fleeting presence in the Irish music scene. Whether he’s performing in intimate venues or connecting with listeners online, he’s building a community that celebrates both his music and the stories behind it. 

There is a chance for Dublin based fans to see Aaron performing his own songs in Whelan’s Live on Friday, January 17^th. Tickets are just €11 and are available now, through the website.