It doesn't take long while listening to For Those I Love to appreciate how much the game of soccer means to him. David Balfe has earned rave reviews for his debut album, released earlier this year, in part for its themes of grief, loss, mental health, and navigating a punishing class system as well as its uncanny ability to marry that heaviness with dancefloor euphoria.
Little else represents that same sense of community and release like a well supported sports team and Dublin-based Shelbourne FC are a bedrock of both Balfe's life and those closest to him.
Read more on thefader.com