For Thom Bishop, “Here Comes the Night” is more than another single. It is the sound of an artist entering a new phase after a career that has moved through folk clubs, anti-nuclear rallies, classrooms, novels, personal hardship and spiritual renewal. The forthcoming track comes from his upcoming album Roy Orbison, Elvis and Me.
Bishop’s connection with Ireland has grown in recent years through regular visits with his wife Michele, while their daughter Simone studies at the University of Galway. During those trips, Bishop found himself increasingly drawn to the country’s music culture. He has described Ireland as a place where songs still seem to matter, whether performed by buskers in the street or carried through traditional music in local pubs.
That connection also reflects Bishop’s own background. With Irish heritage and a lifelong career rooted in American songwriting, he was moved by the way Irish audiences continue to embrace American music. Garth Brooks’ five sold-out nights at Croke Park in 2022 became a symbol of that relationship for him, suggesting that his own work might also resonate there.
“Here Comes the Night” was produced by Billy Panda, the celebrated guitarist associated with Garth Brooks. The single previews an album that mixes six original songs with six carefully selected covers. Bishop’s long road as a songwriter gives the project its emotional weight, and the new single offers a cinematic, reflective glimpse into the next stage of his creative life.