David O’Hara & Connor Newall star in Shay O’Dowd’s music video for new single ‘WHAT’S YOUR PLAN SON?’ (14th Aug)
“The father-and-son relationship has always fascinated me because so much can go unsaid. Feelings aren’t always expressed openly, and I think that’s what makes those relationships so powerful”
‘Full of heart and vulnerability’
The Glasgow Times
‘There’s a real buzz about what’s in store for O’Dowd’
Northern Exposure
“The Glasgow singer following in the footsteps of Lewis Capaldi and Paolo Nutini”
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Fresh from playing TRNSMT, Latitude, Boardmasters & Supporting Deacon Blue,
SHAY O’DOWD releases the second single of his upcoming EP ‘WHAT’S YOUR PLAN SON?’
“The song was recorded and produced by Jamie Squire, who writes with and plays in The 1975 – a band I’ve looked up to for years. The drums completely brought the song to life and were played by Freddy Sheed, who plays with Lewis Capaldi, another artist I’ve always admired.”
MUSIC VIDEO OUT 21ST AUG.
In Shay’s words: ‘WHAT’S YOUR PLAN SON?’ is a song I wrote about my dad growing up in a tough environment and the complicated relationship he had with his own father. At its heart, it’s about the moment he realised where his life could end up if he didn’t choose a different path. It’s about the choice between becoming a product of your surroundings or finding the courage to want something better for yourself.
The father-and-son relationship has always fascinated me because so much can go unsaid. Feelings aren’t always expressed openly, and I think that’s what makes those relationships so powerful. The title ‘What’s Your Plan Son?’ can be interpreted in two ways. On the surface, it sounds like my grandad asking my dad that question. But to me, there’s another meaning that’s even more important. It’s my dad asking himself that question – a moment of self-reflection where he realises that if his life is going to change, he’s the one who has to change it.
The song was recorded and produced by Jamie Squire, who writes with and plays in The 1975 – a band I’ve looked up to for years. The drums completely brought the song to life and were played by Freddy Sheed, who plays with Lewis Capaldi, another artist I’ve always admired.
As I reference in the first verse, my dad worked on the coal lorries as a teenager alongside his childhood friend David O’Hara, who has since gone on to become one of Scotland’s most recognisable actors, appearing in films such as Braveheart, Harry Potter, and The Departed. Because of David’s personal connection to the story, I was lucky enough to put together a film crew and create a short film to accompany the song, starring David alongside the brilliant young Scottish actor Conor Newall, who recently appeared in 28 Years Later.
We filmed the project in the Scottish seaside towns of Greenock and Gourock. Although my dad didn’t grow up there, we wanted somewhere that felt bleak, isolated and full of character – somewhere that reflected the feeling of being trapped in a place where it’s hard to imagine a different future. The locations were perfect and helped us tell what I hope feels like a universal story about a complicated father-and-son relationship. The song runs throughout the short film, with dialogue coming in and out to bring the story to life.
This is without any doubt, the project I’m most proud of. To think that, as an independent artist, I was surrounded by an entire crew of talented people who gave up their time purely because they believed in the idea is something I’ll never take for granted. Seeing a song that started in my bedroom grow into something so collaborative has been the most fun experience I’ve had in my career so far, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who was a part of it.”
After selling out the iconic Glasgow venue King Tut’s without releasing any music, a momentous debut headline show described as “a night to remember, perhaps one which will be boasted as an ‘I was there’ sort of moment for years to come” (Northern Exposure Mag), releasing two EP’s ‘Growing Pains’ + ‘Saying It Now’, getting BBC Track Of The Week with ‘BACK IN A HEARTBEAT’ and crowning 2025 with a sold out ‘St Luke’s’ show, Shay O’Dowd is rolling through 2026 on a high.
Inspired by the likes of Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, and Noah Kahan, Shay finds writing about other people most interesting. “I am passionate about people and communication; both of which have served me well in the world of songwriting. I value authenticity and honesty as an artist, writing songs that capture the beautiful complexities of life.
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