Garrett Anthony Rice, the Irish songwriter originally from County Dublin and now settled in Greystones, County Wicklow, has dropped his latest single ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’, a sharp preview of his upcoming double album EQUINOX. Set for release in 2026, the 18-track record marks an ambitious step for Rice. It is his second solo outing and takes the rare form of a full double LP for a developing artist. Whittled down from more than 30 demos into a tight, intentional sequence, the project was shaped with veteran UK producer Chris Potter, whose credits include work with The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, and Richard Ashcroft of The Verve. Rice’s trajectory feels deliberate, building on rock’s established vocabulary while staking out his own ground.
The song features a steady, repeating guitar riff that moves the track forward without becoming too complex, with Rice’s vocals leading the way. His singing is direct and sharp, but never over the top. The balance between rawness and control makes the track engaging, taking cues from the straightforward energy of 90s and early-2000s alternative rock while still sounding current. The Jimi Hendrix nod in the title goes deeper than just a name-check. Rice takes inspiration from Hendrix, bringing a natural groove and steady drive that recalls the raw energy of bands like Foo Fighters, but with his own subtle approach to melody and song structure.
As the lead taste of EQUINOX, ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’ hints at an album built for repeated listens, prioritizing substance and long-term impact rather than the immediate grabs. Rice appears as an artist committed to longevity, fully conversant with rock history still focused on carving something personal from it. He is poised without flash, rooted without nostalgia.
Stream ‘Purple Man (For Jimi)’:
Follow Garrett Anthony Rice:
Spotify – TikTok – Instagram – Youtube
