Dublin Simon Community and Collective Films have shared the lead single from The Busk Record, ‘Astronaut’ by Damien Rice, with accompaniment from Glen Hansard & Rónan O’Snodaigh.

Last week, the homelessness charity and its creative partner launched the album featuring once-in-a-lifetime performances from Bono, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Lisa O’Neill and many more.

"I can be your brother / Help you to hide / I can blow your cover / Pull the thorns from your side," Rice sings at the song's opening, while gentle accordion soundscapes amplify his simple yet earnest words. Later, warm guitar plucking fills the landscape with a loving ambience.

The Busk Record is available to preorder now from thebuskrecord.com and will be released on Friday 9th December 2022 on vinyl at a cost of €27.95 with proceeds going to Dublin Simon Community to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Dublin and the surrounding counties.

The album will also be available on all major streaming platforms thanks to Universal Music Ireland, who have donated their services pro-bono to the project. Golden Discs will donate all their profits from The Busk Record's sales to Dublin Simon Community.

The recording of The Busk Record was captured over two nights in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in December 2021, when a host of artists came together to lend their talents to Dublin Simon Community as Covid restrictions meant the charity’s annual Christmas Eve Busk couldn’t happen in-person.

The Busk 2021 was streamed on YouTube on Christmas Eve last year, with individual artists being supported by The Busk Choir; an assembly of artists, crew, Dublin Simon staff and volunteers and service users who were present at the recording.

“We are so grateful to everyone involved in the creation and promotion of The Busk Record," Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community said. "When Covid-19 struck, we thought that was the greatest challenge we had ever faced, but the reality is that our greatest challenge lies before us.

“Devastatingly, a record-breaking number of people will spend this Christmas in homelessness. As housing supply remains at an all-time low, these people will have no indication of how many more Christmases will be passed this way. Several more will pass their Christmas at home in fear that it may be their last as the Cost-of-Living crisis pushes more and more people below the breadline.

“We are putting everything we can into moving people out of homelessness and keeping them in their homes where they belong, but we need all the help we can get. The sales of this record will fund the continuation of our services and serve as a glimmer of hope to the over 6,000 people relying on our help.”

Busk Record Listening Party in Whelans (Photos).

The Busk Record Tracklist

Side A

Running to Stand Still – Bono & The Busk Choir
Goodnight World – Lisa O’Neill
Astronaut – Damien Rice
In the Half-Light – Laura Quirke
Fitzcarraldo – The Frames
Young Soldier – Adam Mohammed

Side B

Forever Young – Liam O’Maonlai, Lisa O’Neill & The Busk Choir
Ní Ceadmhach Neamhshuim – Louise Mulcahy & Manchán Magan
Lily - Big Love
Tá’n t’Ádh Liom – Rónan O’Snodaigh, Myles O’Reilly & Stephen James Smith