Hailing from County Dublin and now based in Greystones, County Wicklow, Irish songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice continues to sharpen his artistic vision with the release of his latest single, ‘Purple Man’. The track serves as a defining statement from Rice’s forthcoming double album EQUINOX, an ambitious 18-track record set to land in 2026.
‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’ captures Rice at his most assured; gritty, melodic, and deeply rooted in rock’s living tradition. Built around a cycling guitar riff and carried by his cutting yet calm vocal delivery, the song balances raw energy with reflective restraint. It feels immediate and infectious, yet carefully considered, tapping into the spirit of 90s and early-2000s alternative rock while remaining firmly contemporary.
The title nods knowingly toward Jimi Hendrix, but ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’ avoids imitation entirely. Rather than leaning on overt homage, Rice absorbs the influence at a deeper level, translating feel and intent into something distinctly his own. There’s a looseness to the groove and a steady forward momentum that recalls the rough-edged warmth of bands like Foo Fighters, filtered through Rice’s understated songwriting sensibility.
As the focus single from EQUINOX, ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’, offers a clear window into the broader scope of the project. The album is a rare feat: a debut solo artist’s second release taking the form of a full double LP. Written from an initial pool of over 30 original demos, the final 18 tracks were carefully selected to form a cohesive and deliberate body of work, one that prioritizes depth, longevity, and emotional resonance over flash.
Produced in collaboration with renowned UK producer Chris Potter (The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, Richard Ashcroft/The Verve), EQUINOX positions Garrett Anthony Rice as an artist playing the long game.
‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’ stands as an early marker of that intent, confident, grounded, and quietly powerful, signalling an artist on the cusp of broader recognition, fully aware of rock’s past but unwilling to live in its shadow.
