Mick Rochford runs Ireland's national children's cancer charity. He also runs Jax Bathroom Suppliers, and he coaches kickboxing on the side. Three separate disciplines, three separate sets of responsibility, all of them built around structure, patience, and showing up for other people when it counts. That’s why his new single “Sticks and Stones” refuses to dress it up. The arrangement stays quiet almost the whole way through, which felt strange on first listen until I realized that’s the entire strategy. The lyrics carry the weight instead of the production.

Mick Rochford releases new single Sticks and Stones

Irish singer-songwriter Mick Rochford has released his new single, Sticks and Stones, a pop-rock ballad that explores the effects of bullying and encourages open discussion about the issue.

There’s a quiet sincerity at the heart of Sticks and Stones, the latest single from Irish singer-songwriter Mick Rochford. Tackling the enduring impact of bullying, the song avoids sensationalism in favour of something far more effective: an honest reflection on emotional scars, resilience and the importance of breaking the silence around difficult experiences.

Musically, Sticks and Stones sits comfortably between pop-rock and folk, favouring thoughtful songwriting over elaborate production. Gentle acoustic textures, understated percussion and warm melodic flourishes create an arrangement that never distracts from the message at its centre. Instead, the instrumentation acts as a steady foundation, allowing the lyrics to remain the song’s driving force.

Inspired by personal experiences and stories shared by others, the lyrics feel honest, relatable, and full of compassion, while the understated production lets the message speak for itself. Rochford’s warm vocal delivery adds even more emotional weight, making the track easy to connect with from the first listen.