Louis O’Hara is a singer-songwriter from Pembroke Dock, West Wales, whose music blends tender folk sensibilities with poetic lyricism and chamber-pop textures. His songs draw from memory, place, and quiet emotional truths, often described as nostalgic, emotional, and intimate. After years living in Bristol and London, O’Hara returned to West Wales in 2024, a move that inspired the writing of his forthcoming debut album, A Peaceful Kind of Fun, out November 7th via Libertino Records. Written between a cherished nylon-string guitar and his grandmother’s piano, the record reflects on themes of loss, love, and friendship, arranged with his band His Burley Chassis and recorded in Spain with producer James Trevascus (Billy Nomates, Young Fathers, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis). His earlier EPs Clay (2024) and Pass The Blame (2025) established him as one of Wales’ most affecting new voices, drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Sparklehorse, and Paul McCartney.
A Peaceful Kind of Fun is a 14-track collection that distils O’Hara’s poetic lyricism, tender folk roots, and subtle chamber-pop flourishes into a deeply personal yet quietly universal debut. The album gathers together fragments of memory, relationships, and place, weaving them into songs that honour the connections which shape a life. Moving between moments of joy, loss, and reflection, A Peaceful Kind of Fun lingers on the small details that stay with us – the echoes of childhood, the presence of family, the landscapes of home.

What He Says: ” Written from my perspective of the last time I got to see my Grandad before he passed away. In the song I’m reminding him that everything is going to be okay after he’s gone, and that though he will no longer be here physically, he will always be in spirit. The song features a field recording from my home garden in Pembroke Dock and a sparse arrangement of guitar, piano and group vocals. The group vocals in the final verse were briefed to sound like hymn singing at a funeral service.“

“Finally Stick starts out about the feeling of happiness someone can bring you when you first begin a relationship and how within that you can forget about your own problems for a while. By the last verse however, which changes to a lower key, the lyrics are more reflective, looking back at the exhaustion and fallout of that relationship and the hardships that came with its ending. The musical arrangement features piano, bass guitar, clarinet, cello, electric guitar and, in the bridge, theremin. The spoken bridge in the song is a nod to my 1950s influence, groups such as the The Capris and The Ink Spots“

“Mewn Llun (Welsh for ‘in a picture’, or ‘pictured’) is about someone falling in love with another, but not feeling like they can do anything about it or tell them because if they do the mystery will be broken and the romance will disappear. A song of longing.”

His Mixtape: 

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – Our House

There’s something about this track, beyond just the music for me. It has such a singular atmosphere. It’s like a nursery rhyme but also really profound and musically accomplished. It was a big influence on my album because I think it balances between ‘twee’ and ‘sincere’ so perfectly, and that’s something I was always striving for with my own album.

The Beach Boys – I’m Waiting for the Day

Probably my favourite Beach Boys song and such a masterpiece. I made reference to Pet Sounds a lot while making my album but specifically this song. The production and mixing is out of this world, even by today’s standards. The vocal performance is immense and there’s just so much energy. As both a songwriter and a recording engineer, I find myself going back to Pet Sounds at least once a week, and it never fails to inspire me.

Angelo Badalementi – Heartbreaking

If you’ve spent more than 2 minutes with me ever you’ve probably heard me mention Twin Peaks, I love it SO much. This piece is taken from The Return which came out in 2017. The way it’s used in the show is devastating but as a standalone piece of music it’s also one of my favourites from the whole soundtrack. Badalamenti influenced my piano playing a lot and I think you can definitely hear that on the track Llygaid Glas on my album. He creates so much atmosphere with his playing and with his instrument choices too. His use of Rhodes electric pianos is definitely what inspired me to sprinkle them in across my album. Heartbreaking does what it says on the tin; breaks my heart.

Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – Sbia Ar Y Seren 

One of my favourite tracks by one of my favourite bands. I could talk about why I love GZM all day, but for the sake of this mixtape I will keep it brief. Not only do I adore their music, but they’re a huge inspiration for me as we’re from the same part of the world. I first really got into them when I was about 20. Finding out they “made it” while being from South West Wales, where really there’s little in the way of an arts scene, was really enabling for me. It definitely helped illuminate what felt like quite a dimly lit path prior to that. Sbia Ar Y Seren is just, as so much of their catalogue is, absolutely beautiful! 

The Capris – Endless Love

I’m an absolute sucker for 50s doo wop stuff. It’s always so optimistic and youthful and definitely sends me into a bizarre nostalgia. I first heard The Capris on the soundtrack to Rabbit’s Moon, the Kenneth Anger film and then listened to them a load after seeing that. There’s something slightly creepy about this track, especially in the production, which sounds like it could fall apart at any time. It’s great. Doo wop stuff like The Capris, The Fleetwoods and The Ink Spots definitely has an influence on my songwriting and on the production choices of my album.

Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn – Colli Llygaid 

Most of my mixtape has been from the past, but I’m not a complete old soul. Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn are my favourite band in Wales right now. They released their debut album in December of 2024 and have been getting lots of well deserved praised ever since. It’s hard to choose a favourite track from Ein Albwm Cyntaf Ni as it is a genuinely incredible piece of work, but I’ve gone with Colli Llygaid. It’s absolutely devastating. I get chills every time the janky keyboard lead line comes in over those most beautiful chords. I had the pleasure of camping at Green Man with the lads from Tai Haf earlier this year and the extent to which they live for their art is genuinely so inspiring. They’re a credit not only to themselves but to Welsh music. Godspeed! 

A Peaceful Kind of Fun will be out November 7th via Libertino Records. Look HERE for more information on Louis O’Hara.