Ciaran Gribbin

Early career

Gribbin began writing songs at the age of nine. He formed a small band with his two best friends, and for years they toured the pubs in Belfast, Northern Ireland where he was born. At 20 years of age, Gribbin studied music at the School of Music in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Upon leaving college, he formed the band, Leya, which lasted seven years. The band put out one album, titled Watch You Don't Take Off. Leya toured with bands such as Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand and Embrace. Gribbin also performed backing vocals on Snow Patrol's album Eyes Open.

Joe Echo and collaborations

After Leya disbanded, Gribbin continued to work with the members of Leya on various projects, under the name of Joe Echo as well as collaborating/co-writing with international artists including Deadmau5 and Paul Oakenfold, with whom he co-wrote Madonna's track, "Celebration", for which he received a Grammy nomination. Gribbin also toured, under the name Joe Echo, with many artists including Gotye, Powderfinger, The Script and opened for Sir Paul McCartney at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in Hyde Park, London. Gribbin wrote and produced soundtrack albums for the films Killing Bono and Heartless.

Ciaran also released some original music under Joe Echo in digital format.

INXS

In 2009, while supporting Paolo Nutini on his Australian tour under Joe Echo, Gribbin met INXS keyboardist and songwriter Andrew Farriss at a house party in Sydney. Over the next 12 months, Farriss and Gribbin became close friends and in May 2011 the two songwriters got together for a songwriting session. The members of INXS were impressed with Gribbin’s vocal and songwriting ability and promptly asked him to audition for lead vocalist of their band. In November 2011, Gribbin performed his first show with INXS in Arequipa, Peru in front of 7,000 people and two nights later performed in front of 30,000 people, headlining the Personal Festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He replaced their former lead singer, J.D. Fortune.

Gribbin has performed 50+ shows as INXS' frontman. Two of the songs Gribbin co-wrote with Andrew Farris have been released by INXS. "Tiny Summer" was a free download single. The second single, "We Are United", was performed in Australia's capital city, Canberra, at the Australia Day celebrations in January 2012 in front of a television audience of one million, and was released to mark this occasion.

Recognition from other artists

“Joe Echo has one of the most extraordinary voices I’ve heard in a longtime.” ~ Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol

"He's fantastic, a truly unique voice..." ~ Sharon Corr, The Corrs

"His voice could draw blood from a stone, so desperate and pleading are his words that you can’t help feeling your heart breaking just a little bit too." ~ Heather Crumley, Rock Midgets

"Gribbin's voice is big and beautiful. He is the kind of front man with a gentle manner and a longing for greatness as he stands with arms outstretched and eyes tight shut." ~ Daily Ireland

"Gribbin's voice, let off the leash, is extraordinary, soaring and dipping on oodles of emotion. He has proven he is the possessor of a fearsome, restless musical imagination.” ~ Francis Jones, BBC

Recent work

Gribbin is continuing to work on many projects including his own solo debut album. He has recently been producing and writing records for young music artists, including remixing for Thai artist Tata Young, writing songs for the Asian pop market and working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, writing music for movies.

Gribbin recently announced on The Morning Show on the Seven Network that his new single "My Killer, My King" will be released and available for download on iTunes on Friday, 16 August 2013. He also broke the news that a song he has written is going to be featured in the new Al Pacino film.

Personal life

Gribbin is the eldest of five children. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and son.