Jake Cogan on Bringing Music Back to Life, A Collection of Songs Inspired by The Mad Lady

The Mad Lady,  My Godfather, and Me

When I recorded The Mad Lady and Me for my first album, the song carried more weight than I could have ever anticipated. It tells the story of a young woman on the verge of taking her own life in the River Lee, Shandon, County Cork. It resonated deeply with me—not just as a piece of music, but as a reflection of my own lived experiences.  

Suicide has shaped my life in profound and painful ways. Just before I recorded that song, my godfather—Uncle John—ended his life at 40. He wasn’t just family; he was my great pal, my brilliant godfather, the one who introduced me to The Clash, The Jam, The Wolfe Tones, Christy Moore. One Sunday, he handed me Tapestry by Carole King and said, "Here, you need to listen to this." And I did. I still do.  

Less than a year before that, my father died suddenly while on holiday in Spain. He and my mother were celebrating 25 years of marriage. I was 18.  

My dad was the soundtrack of my childhood—the reason our home was filled with the voices of Jackson Browne, James Taylor, The Eagles. He once listened to some of my own songs and told me, "You are a wordsmith. Use it."  

So when I sang The Mad Lady and Me, the lyrics weren’t just words:  

"Bye, bye Mama, goodbye brother John. Fair thee well ye Shandon Bells, ring on. Ring on."  

After one performance, a man approached me and said, "You deliver that song with an eerily deep understanding. It’s very moving."  

I simply replied, "Thank you. I appreciate that more than you know."  

Because how could I explain? That I did understand. That I had lost people I loved in that very way. That I, too, had stood at the edge of darkness.  

But I am climbing. And this album is part of that climb.  

Returning to Music—A Journey of Healing  

People often ask me when they’ll hear me sing again. The truth? I’ve been struggling.  

I live with depression. Some days, crippling anxiety. Stage fright so intense it has triggered panic attacks mid-performance. Depression that silences me in ways I can’t quite put into words.  

But music never truly leaves me. It calls me back, again and again. And this project—this return—is part of my climb out of the darkness.  

Supporting Women’s Initiatives  & Creating a Musical Legacy

During my time away from music, I’ve devoted myself to frontline work in women’s services—supporting mental health, survivors of domestic violence, and those recovering from trauma. In this work, I have seen firsthand how creative spaces—places where stories, music, and art can be shared—become catalysts for healing.  

Music has always been that for me. A place to come home to. A way to reconnect.  

This project is more than just my return to music; it’s about using my voice—both in song and in purpose—to support women’s initiatives. It’s about creating something that offers comfort, strength, and solidarity.  

I know what it’s like to feel silenced by struggle. I also know the power of music to bring us back to ourselves.  

This is my journey of healing. And if it can bring solace to someone else, then it is a journey worth taking.  

My next project is more than an album—it is a bridge between past and present, between voices long gone and those still singing. It is a way to honour the songs that have shaped us, the people who carried them, and the stories they hold.

The Irish and Scottish influence has spread far and wide, shaping societies across the seas in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Generations of families have carried these songs and stories to new lands, keeping their heritage alive through music.

I would love to hear from you—what songs did your ancestors bring with them? Do you have memories of a grandparent singing by the fireside, or of family gatherings where a cherished tune was passed down? Where in the world are you, and how has this musical tradition endured in your life?

Let’s build this collection together—a living, breathing tribute to the voices that connect us all. Perhaps, in doing so, we may even find connections to each other—through names, places, and shared histories.

By supporting this project, you are not just funding an album; you are preserving a rich musical heritage and contributing to something deeply meaningful.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s make this music live again. Listen to The Mad Lady & Me

How Your Support Will Help | Crowdfunder.UK

Your contributions will bring this record to life. Here’s how your support will help:

£20 – Helps cover the cost of studio time and musician fees.

£50 – Supports production, mixing, and mastering.

£100 – Contributes to physical copies, artwork, and distribution.

£500 – Sponsors part of the final album production and release.

Every contribution, no matter the size, moves this project forward. This is more than just recording an album—it’s about creating something meaningful, something that gives back.

To bring this collection to life, I aim to raise £10,000. If just 1,000 people donated £10, we’d be there!

Join me in this journey—not just as a listener, but as part of the story.

Your support, whether through donations, song suggestions, or artwork commissions, means everything.