Garrett Anthony Rice – “Going Up (To See Him)”

“Going Up (To See Him)” is a deeply moving release from Greystones, Ireland songwriter Garrett Anthony Rice and serving as the lead single for his 18-track double album “EQUINOX”, the song carries an incredible amount of emotional weight. Written as a tribute to his best friend who died by suicide at age 21 in Dublin during the early 1990s, the track captures decades of quiet grief that Rice finally brought to light during his 2024 recording sessions.

The song was recorded across Kore Studios in London, producer Chris Potter’s home studio in Bournemouth, and Darklands Studio in Dublin. To build the sound around his writing, Rice brought together a group of incredible musicians. Tim Will handles the piano, Geoff Dugmore plays drums, Chris Webb provides the bass, and Adam Phillips adds electric guitar work. On top of that foundation, the Dublin African Gospel Choir delivers backing vocals that lift the entire piece into something truly special.

Beyond the music itself, Rice created this single with the intention of offering comfort to anyone dealing with the sudden loss of a close friend or family member. It carries a gentle message that the people we lose remain present with us. The live performance of this material at the Hendrick Hotel Smithfield in Dublin gave listeners an early taste of his talent, and he has more live dates lined up at Sin E and Doyle’s Corner in Dublin.

I love this release completely, and Garrett Anthony Rice has created a brilliant work of art with this song. It is a stunning, heartfelt piece of music that manages to take a heavy history and transform it into something hopeful. You should check out his previous releases to see how his writing has evolved over time. Make sure to follow Garrett Anthony Rice online so you can stay updated on everything he releases throughout the rest of this year as he shares more of his creative journey with the world.