By Tara Maher
Shane Healy, known by his stage name bÚkl, has carved out a unique identity in the music world. As bÚkl, Shane blends his musical influences, his experiences, and his growth as an artist into something truly distinct, culminating in the release of his debut album, Blue Ghost in the Memory-Machine, which is available to pre-order now.
Music has been an integral part of Shane Healy's life from a young age. His father taught him to play guitar when he was young, and also emphasized the importance of singing along while learning, a lesson that stayed with Shane throughout his musical journey. By his early teens, Shane was already teaching himself new songs and playing guitar on his own. Music quickly became much more than just a hobby—it became his passion.
In 2011, Shane took a formal step into the world of music, graduating with a degree in Music from University College Cork (UCC). However, the journey didn’t end there. In 2014, he began working at Music Zone, a record shop in Togher, Cork. The job was a dream come true for Shane, who has always had a love for vinyl and CDs. Ray O'Brien, Shane’s boss, has been a huge influence on him, offering unwavering support throughout the years, including helping Shane release his debut album.
Shane’s love for music began long before his formal education. One of his earliest memories of music comes from when he was about five years old, listening to "Live and Let Die" by Wings on the family record player. The excitement he felt, jumping around the room during the song’s dramatic crescendo, sparked a lifelong passion. When he was around 12, Shane discovered Kerrang! TV after his family got Sky TV. The rock and metal music on the channel completely mesmerized him, and he quickly dove into learning Metallica songs on guitar. This was when his passion for music truly grew.
As Shane progressed through secondary school and college, music seemed like the next natural step. Throughout his teenage years, he began writing his own songs, many of which would end up on his upcoming album, Blue Ghost in the Memory-Machine. The majority of the tracks on the album have been with Shane for over eight years. One track, "Feckin Unreal," was written when he was just 17, on Cape Clear Island.
But Shane’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. After college, he struggled to find work, and several difficult life events led him to a period of depression and anxiety. For a few years, he became afraid to leave the house, and releasing music seemed like an impossible dream. It wasn't until Shane began taking antidepressants and found stability working at Music Zone that things started to improve. During this time, he also met his wife, Noelle, who played a crucial role in helping him rebuild his confidence.
When Shane turned 30, he began to seriously think about the music he had been quietly working on in the background. With the help of his dad, he built a small, soundproofed studio in a cabin in their back garden. In 2024, Shane began recording his debut album. As he worked, he added new elements to the older songs, playing guitar, bass, harmonica, and even some drums. While most of the drums were programmed via plugins—since Shane's drumming skills weren’t quite up to scratch and the acoustics in the cabin weren’t ideal—the process of bringing the album to life was deeply fulfilling.
The result of this journey is Blue Ghost in the Memory-Machine, which is set to release on March 7th. The album will be available on CD, coloured vinyl, Bandcamp, and streaming platforms. The CD and streaming versions will feature two bonus tracks that didn’t make it onto the vinyl. The vinyl itself is a beautiful green with purple splatter, and the cover artwork was designed by Carrigaline artist, Jim McCarthy.
Shane's goal with this release is to connect with new listeners who will enjoy his music. He also hopes to gain the confidence to begin performing live again—something he hasn't done in nearly a decade. In addition to making music, Shane enjoys creating videos for his YouTube channel, @bUklMusic, where he films content around Cork. This has become his happy place, and he would love to grow his community of subscribers and fans there.
For Shane Healy, music has always been a part of his life, and the release of Blue Ghost in the Memory-Machine is the culmination of years of dedication, passion, and perseverance. Whether through his album or his YouTube videos, Shane hopes his music resonates with others and finds a place in the hearts of those who listen.
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