Mountain Runner

Mountain Runner is the moniker of Wicklow-born Dublin-based songwriter Jack Lawlor. He sings in key and spent the last year writing songs about things he believes to be true, and what he believes to be true about things. Focusing on composing only on the acoustic guitar in various tunings, and taking heed and influence from the likes of Junior Brother, Adrianne Lenker, Richard Dawson and John Francis Flynn, he found himself at the end of the year atop a pile of a great many songs.

This steady current of writing came in tandem with support slots for burgeoning bands among the Dublin DIY scene, such as Madra Salach, Hotgirl, Softdrink Millionaire (for whom he drums), Greg Tisdall, and at regular acoustic performances at the outsider poetry and arts night Top End Romantics Division (TERD).

He released a live set of acoustic songs 'Live at the Water's Edge' in December 2024, which showcased his direct and honest songwriting ability through sensitive, lyrical vulnerability, a grounded fingerpicking style and a rich, sonorous voice. This earned a support slot with UK-based indie-folk singer-songwriter Vraell on the Dublin date of his UK & EU Tour, presented by Foggy Notions.

Still without an official single release on streaming platforms, Mountain Runner is primed for a big 2025. In a feverish response to first listening to Cameron Winter’s album ‘Heavy Metal’ in mid-January, he wrote eighteen songs in six weeks. With freshly inspired vigour and direction in his writing, and returning to the piano, an album took shape: a cohesive statement of intent. These songs will pare down to a 10 track album entitled ‘If It Ever Comes At All’, which aims for singles release in late-Spring/Summer, and full LP release in Autumn 2025.