Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I’ve grown up around it. My mam is a professional singer and musician so it was a no brainer for me once I started playing and writing.
Introduce us to you and your musical history?
Hi, I’m Torpey, I’m from Ireland and I largely make pop-rock. As I said above my mam is a musician so I’ve always been surrounded by music growing up. I started playing the piano when I was 4 and at about 15/16 picked up a guitar and began writing.
Name me your 3 favorite Albums.
The Beatles – Abbey Road
Bon Iver – 22 a million
Oasis – Definitely Maybe
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
Probably “You need me, I don’t need you” by Ed Sheeran. I remember just being infatuated with that when I was younger and it definitely set me on the road to writing music. It definitely got me to pick up a guitar for the first time!
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
I like to think you can always be better at everything in life but with the industry side of music there’s a lot where I can be doing better.
I’m seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?
I think education is very important, I think lads need to learn how the things they say/do affect other people. I also think it’s important for lads to realise that the things they might joke about between themselves and palm off as “victimless” or “harmless” actually goes a long way to entrench the sort of culture that causes women to feel unsafe.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
If I’m being honest I hate using social media so it’s definitely tough. I think reaching out to blogs and radio stations to see if they want to cover/playlist the song helps a lot. But the best way has to be gigging!
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you?
I’ve flown a plane before
I’m fluent in Irish
I never tried pizza until I was 18
What’s your thought on Spotify’s monopoly on the music industry?
It has it’s pros and cons for sure. It’s great in that it opens up almost the whole history of music to listen to, and removes the gatekeeping from the industry for newer artists releasing stuff. BUT on the other hand you have a company offering millions to podcasts and refusing to properly pay the artists that actually made them that money. I think ultimately music has always been consumer driven and we have to accept that spotify (or at least streaming) is the future but also make sure that it is done properly and sustainably for the artists that are, ultimately, the ones driving it (which it isn’t currently in my opinion)
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
None of the juicy ones. But anything like Homer Simpson’s actually a genius or Jar-Jar Binks is really a Sith lord will get me on board.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
There was definitely a point when I had a really bad habit of checking what new trainers were being released
What was the worst experience on stage?
There’s been a few to be fair! I think the worst would have been playing in a pub locally where the crowd was expecting more Irish folk tunes and less acoustic Oasis b-sides.
Tell us something about that you think people would be surprised about.
I can solve a Rubik’s cube in around a minute.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
I’d say I’m definitely most proud of my lyrics and melody writing.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
Ya! My new song Why Won’t The World Stop Turning? Is out now! It’s a pop rock song I wrote a few years ago and recorded with my cousin Darragh Purcell.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune.
I actually wrote it when my grandfather was dying, I noticed while doing the shopping at the time how weird it felt seeing people just go about their day unaware of what was really happening. But don’t worry, I tried to put some sort of hopeful spin on it!
What was the recording process like?
It was great! As I said earlier, it was produced by my cousin Darragh. We basically just started to jam and the basis of the song kinda formed itself! Then Darragh went away and worked his magic for the climax of the song and it was pretty much done. It happened pretty quickly!
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Something I’m coming to terms with right now is trying to focus on the artist I am/want to be instead of the one I wish I was. It’s important, I think, to remember who you are and what your style is at its core, take influences and lessons from other people but try not to compare yourself and your style to them.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I think Darragh would kill me if I said yes now!
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Yes! I’ve been working on an EP for a while now, Why Won’t The World Stop Turning? is the first song from it but there’s going to be more coming out over the next few months!
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