Mik Pyro’s Blues Cartel Chicago and Delta Blues, Dublin

Mick Pyro, the stage name of Irish singer-songwriter Michael Tierney, is best known as the frontman of Dublin funk rock band Republic of Loose. With a musical style drawing on funk, soul, Blues, hip hop and rock, Mick has built a reputation as a distinctive vocalist and highly charismatic live performer.

As frontman of Republic of Loose, Mick Pyro became a familiar presence on the Irish festival and live music circuit, performing at major festivals including Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds. The band's music brought together influences from funk, soul, hip hop and rock, while Mick's energetic and unpredictable stage presence became a defining part of their live shows.

Mick's musical influences extend well beyond rock, with a particular love of Blues, soul and funk. Artists such as James Brown, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Al Green, Solomon Burke, Mahalia Jackson, Alexander O'Neal and Rick James have all featured among his influences, alongside his interest in hip hop, jazz and heavier music.

His connection to the Blues can also be heard in his appreciation of some of the genre's great vocalists and performers, including Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker. Combined with his love of soul and funk, these influences have helped shape a vocal style that is expressive, powerful and deeply rooted in Black American music traditions.

Mick has also collaborated with a number of Irish and international musicians. In 2008, he took part in the recording of “The Ballad of Ronnie Drew”, a collaboration celebrating the life of the legendary Dublin singer. He also performed with Sinéad O'Connor, including a performance of Curtis Mayfield's “We People Who Are Darker Than Blue”.

In 2023, Mick released his first solo album, Exit Pyro, marking a new chapter in his career and giving him an opportunity to explore his musical influences beyond his work with Republic of Loose.

Whether performing with a full band or working on his own material, Mick Pyro brings a strong sense of personality to his music. His blend of Blues, soul, funk, rock and hip hop influences, combined with decades of experience on the Irish live music scene, makes him a distinctive figure in contemporary Irish music.