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Declan Galbraith

Declan John Galbraith (born 19 December 1991) is a singer and songwriter of Scottish and descent, best known for his early career as a child pop artist who signed a major record deal with at age 10 and achieved international success, particularly in , before transitioning to under the artistic project Child of Mind in 2017. Born in , a village near in , , to parents Alec (of Scottish origin) and Siobhan (of origin), Galbraith grew up in a supportive family environment with a younger sister, Bernadette, and was influenced by his late grandfather "Poppy Ben," a to whom he dedicated his debut . Galbraith's musical journey began at age eight when he started entering local talent competitions, winning 16 out of 18 contests within 14 months and performing covers like R. Kelly's "World's Greatest" at family events. Discovered by songwriter at one such event, he secured a £1 million three- contract with in 2001, making him one of the youngest artists to sign a major label deal. His self-titled debut , Declan, released in September 2002, featured covers of pop and folk songs, while his breakthrough single "Tell Me Why"—an anti-war track written by Mason—peaked in charts across and became a staple in Chinese school English lessons. Early highlights included a performance at II's concert at in 2002 alongside artists like , and appearances on television programs such as GMTV and Songs of Praise. Over the next few years, Galbraith released two more albums on major labels—Thank You (2006) on Starwatch Music, which earned gold certification in Germany and Austria for sales exceeding 100,000 copies and peaked at number five on the German charts, and You and Me (2007) on Warner Music—selling over 200,000 albums worldwide and building a strong fanbase in through tours and promotional work.) Despite the pressures of child stardom, including rigorous promotional schedules that kept him out of school, Galbraith maintained a relatively normal upbringing, crediting his parents for shielding him from exploitation and allowing time for hobbies like (supporting and ), cycling, , and video games. He stepped away from the industry at age 16 in 2007 to focus on , later moving to in 2012 to immerse himself in its music scene and begin writing original songs inspired by folk traditions, family, and artists such as . In 2014, Galbraith staged a comeback with live performances alongside a band in intimate venues, emphasizing authentic, self-written material over commercial covers. By 2017, he launched Child of Mind, an independent multimedia project blending music, art, and , with releases including live recordings from tours in (such as the 2017 Shenzhen concert) and original tracks exploring themes of peace, heritage, and . Under this moniker, he has continued performing globally, releasing music via platforms like and , including the album A New Future in 2025, while maintaining a low-profile career focused on artistic integrity rather than mainstream fame.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Declan Galbraith was born on 19 December 1991 in , a village in , . He grew up in a modest home in the rural area near , where his family maintained a close-knit, everyday life amid the surrounding countryside. Galbraith was the son of Alec, an electrician of Scottish descent, and , who hailed from a large family as one of 14 children and a twin herself. He has a younger sister, Bernadette, born around 1996, and was partly raised by his grandparents from just six weeks old while his parents worked. His grandfather, known as Poppy Ben, was an folk musician who played the and performed in local pubs, passing down a love for traditional that shaped Galbraith's early years. Poppy Ben died of a heart attack when Galbraith was four years old, an event that deeply affected him; his debut album was dedicated to his memory. From a very young age, Galbraith showed a keen interest in music, influenced by his family's Scottish and Irish heritage, which exposed him to folk traditions alongside contemporary pop artists like and . He often accompanied his grandfather to events and began singing casually at family gatherings, such as his grandmother's 60th birthday party. In his early school years up to age seven, Galbraith attended a local in , where he balanced a normal childhood with playtime activities like games with cousins, though his emerging vocal talent soon began to draw attention. By this time, he had started receiving guidance from a voice coach to protect his throat, wearing a and woolly even in class.

Discovery and early performances

Galbraith began performing publicly at the age of eight, entering local talent shows in and around his hometown in , , where his vocal abilities quickly garnered attention. Over the subsequent fourteen months, he competed in numerous contests and secured victories in sixteen of them, amassing prizes that included cash awards totaling more than £1,000. At age nine, in 2001, Galbraith made his first professional recording with a cover of "Walking in the Air," the theme from the animated film The Snowman, which appeared on the compilation album Christmas Hits 2001 alongside artists such as Westlife and Elton John. This early track marked his initial foray into studio work and helped build momentum from his local successes. That same year, during one of his talent competitions in Kent, Galbraith was discovered by songwriter and TV producer Barry Mason, who recognized his potential and connected him with influential figures in the music industry, including publicist Max Clifford. This pivotal encounter led to rapid professional advancement. By early 2002, at the age of ten, Galbraith signed a lucrative three-album with , valued at £1 million, propelling him toward a major label debut.

Musical career

2002–2007: Debut and major label releases

Galbraith's commercial career began in 2002 when he signed with and released his self-titled debut album, Declan, on 23 September, featuring a mix of original songs, traditional Irish tunes like "", and covers such as John Lennon's "". The album showcased Galbraith's versatile voice and received positive reviews for its blend of contemporary pop and folk elements, though it achieved modest commercial performance in the UK. His debut single, "Tell Me Why", featuring the Young Voices Choir, followed on 9 . The track, an original composition addressing themes of and , peaked at number 29 on the and achieved significant radio play, marking his entry into the music industry as a child performer. During the promotional tour for the single, Galbraith participated in the Young Voices concerts in 2002, performing to large audiences of schoolchildren across the , including a notable event at the Odyssey Arena in where over 10,000 children sang along. This culminated in a attempt on 9 2002, when Galbraith led the largest ever group sing-along of "Tell Me Why" with more than 80,000 children connected via satellite from various locations in the and , raising funds for children's charities. In 2003, Galbraith supported at a in Hull's KC , performing selections from his growing to a major audience. By 2006, after transitioning to the Starwatch Music, Galbraith experienced greater international acclaim in . His second album, , a holiday-themed collection released on 1 December, included covers of classics like "Tears in Heaven" by and "Nights in White Satin" by , alongside the lead single "" (a cover of The Kelly Family's hit). The single reached number 48 on the German Singles Chart, while the album earned gold certifications in and , highlighting his appeal in through TV appearances on shows like ARD's "Am Laufenden Band". Galbraith's third album, You and Me, arrived in November 2007, shifting toward a more pop-oriented sound with originals like the title track and covers such as Metallica's ". The lead single "Love of My Life" (a rendition of Queen's ) peaked at number 55 on the German Singles Chart, further solidifying his fanbase. During this period, Galbraith's music gained traction in Asia, particularly in , where his songs were incorporated into English-language programs, leading to increased TV exposure and concert demand.

2008–2016: Hiatus and personal development

Following the release of his third studio album You and Me in 2007, Declan Galbraith stepped back from the music industry at age 16 to pursue a normal teenage life and complete his education, which he had partially set aside due to earlier professional commitments. This marked a significant shift from his high-profile career phase, allowing him to prioritize personal maturation and distance himself from the demands of fame. During this low-profile period, Galbraith resided in his hometown of , , with his family, focusing on everyday activities and academic pursuits rather than public or recordings. No new albums or singles were issued between 2008 and 2016, emphasizing his deliberate retreat from commercial music endeavors. Galbraith engaged in occasional initiatives, such as a in December 2008 for a special needs school in , , where he supported efforts to enhance educational resources for children. He also appeared at select events, maintaining limited visibility while honing his artistic independence. These activities underscored his commitment to using his platform for positive impact without resuming full-scale professional output.

2017–present: Revival as Child of Mind

In 2017, Declan Galbraith adopted the stage name Child of Mind to launch an artistic project, enabling greater creative freedom from previous label constraints and serving as a outlet for his self-written music and other creative endeavors. This rebranding marked a shift toward authentic expression, drawing from a personal lyric symbolizing the mind as the origin of all ideas, and positioned Child of Mind as a conceptual home for his evolving work across music, art, and social themes. That same year, Galbraith undertook a three-week multi-city tour in under the Child of Mind moniker, performing in locations including , , , , , and , where he introduced new original songs to enthusiastic audiences. The Shenzhen performance was professionally recorded, resulting in the live album Child of Mind: Live in Shenzhen 2017, released independently on July 13, 2018, and featuring a blend of covers and originals that showcased his matured vocal style and acoustic arrangements. Building on this momentum, he self-produced and released the acoustic EP From Castle Röhrsdorf on December 19, 2017, comprising five original tracks recorded intimately at his family's castle in , emphasizing themes of introspection and personal growth. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted Galbraith's 2020 plans for new music releases and live concerts, halting momentum from his independent trajectory much like it did for countless artists worldwide. Following a period of relative quiet, he resumed activity on social media platforms including and X (formerly Twitter) in early 2025, where he announced upcoming projects and reconnected with fans through updates on his creative process. In April 2025, he released the self-produced studio album A New Future, distributed in volumes on platforms like and , with tracks exploring personal reinvention and societal issues. This release underscores his ongoing commitment to independent production, with subsequent volumes and singles continuing to address themes of —such as humanitarian crises in regions like —and unfiltered personal expression, solidifying Child of Mind as a platform for socially conscious artistry.

Discography

Albums

Declan Galbraith's album releases span his early major-label career and later independent work under the Child of Mind moniker, featuring a mix of covers, originals, and live recordings that reflect his evolving style from pop and traditional influences to introspective acoustic material. His debut studio album, Declan, was released in 2002 by in the when Galbraith was 10 years old. The album primarily consists of covers of traditional Irish songs and contemporary ballads, including "," "Angels," and the peace anthem "Tell Me Why," alongside a few original compositions. It peaked at number 44 on the . In 2006, Galbraith released his second studio album, Thank You, through Starwatch Music and distributed by Warner Music Group in Germany. This holiday-oriented collection includes covers of classics such as Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven," the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin," and seasonal tracks like "Bright Eyes" and "An Angel," with the title track serving as an original thank-you to fans. The album achieved significant success, reaching number 5 on the German Albums Chart and earning gold certifications in Germany and Austria for sales exceeding 100,000 units combined. Galbraith's third studio album, You and Me, followed in 2007, again via Starwatch Music and Central Europe. Shifting toward a more mature pop sound, it features original tracks like "Ego You" and "You and Me," alongside covers such as Metallica's "" and Queen's "Love of My Life," with collaborations emphasizing his . The album peaked at number 33 on the German Albums Chart. Under his Child of Mind project, Galbraith released the live Child of Mind: Live in Shenzhen 2017 in 2018 as an independent production. Capturing performances from his 2017 tour in , the record highlights acoustic and rock arrangements of originals like "Pig Eyed Blue," "Lay Me Down," and "Motherland," showcasing his growth as a songwriter and performer. The same year, From Castle Röhrsdorf was issued independently as an acoustic studio EP (often regarded in his as a full-length work due to its thematic depth), recorded at Castle Röhrsdorf in . It features original songs exploring and , including "Hillingdon Hill," "Sedated," and "Maybe We Can Find a Way," performed with minimal instrumentation to emphasize lyrical intimacy. In 2025, Galbraith self-produced and independently released A New Future, a multi-volume studio series comprising original compositions focused on themes of , , and emotional . Volumes such as Vol. 01 (23 tracks including "Find Joy Again" and "Flower Petals") and Vol. 02 (15 tracks like "Gentle Spring") were distributed digitally, marking his return to full-length songwriting after a period of artistic exploration.

Singles

Galbraith's debut single, "Tell Me Why," was released in 2002 by in collaboration with the Young Voices Choir as a CD maxi-single and enhanced format. The track peaked at number 29 on the . Its promotion included a event on December 9, 2002, where Galbraith led nearly 4,000 children in Belfast's Odyssey Arena, joined by over 100,000 participants across the and singing the song simultaneously to raise funds for . In 2006, served as a promotional single from the album Thank You, available in digital and physical formats with an official emphasizing its inspirational themes. The 2007 single "Love of My Life," a cover of song, was issued as a promotional CD maxi-single by Starwatch Music to support the You and Me album, featuring remixes and bonus tracks like an unreleased ; it peaked at number 55 on the German Singles Chart. That same year, "Ego You" was released as a single from You and Me in CD and digital formats, including B-sides such as covers of "Nights in White Satin" by and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" by , with international versions and an official video highlighting its pop-rock style. Following a career hiatus, Galbraith revived his music under the Child of Mind moniker in 2017, focusing on digital releases. In 2025, this included preview singles from the album A New Future, distributed digitally via platforms like and , such as tracks from its multi-volume rollout emphasizing personal growth and acoustic elements.

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