Hiya the Owl Sounds thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us a bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
I’m originally from the UK but now based in Wexford in Ireland. I started playing at an early age around 5. My parents got me into music it was always playing in the house, pretty eclectic, my dad loves prog rock and my mum was top 40.
When I discovered grunge it was all I could listen to, I was obsessed with Nirvana. My mum and grandfather are really accomplished pianists so I migrated from that to guitar pretty easily.
What’s the live music scene like in Dublin right now?
There are some cool bands breaking through I really like, Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra and Peer pleasure are both amazing live. The shows Meryl Streek played in Ireland last year went down really well. Alot of festivals but when Meryl headlined the Academy in December it was pretty special. Lots of big things happening this year
Do you think it’s easy to become a victim of our surroundings sometimes?
If you rely on promoters alone you will have a rough time. I think you need to carve out your own space. If there are no shows, try organising your own with other bands you know. Its sounds simpler than it is but it’s well worth it – with preparation you can have a solid night. Try and base it around a release you can sell as merch on the night.
What are your ambitions for the band?
I just love writing and playing music so that box is ticked. I want to start playing some live shows with my new tracks; I’d love to put a full band together and do some low-key touring.
I’d love to keep it growing and play to as many people as possible. I hope to get back out to California if I can get things together. I lived and worked out there as a session player and songwriter for 6 years, I really miss it – but the USA is having a few issues right now
What’s your favourite social media platform to use and why?
Instagram. I respond best to visuals so I like how instantly you can share music news, also any cat meme and I’m there for it.
We believe it’s essential to have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X to introduce yourself to all the different types of audiences out there, what’s your thoughts on that?
It’s the modern music store front – you can’t escape it if you want to share / sell your music to people. I hate how reliant we all are on it but it’s just how it is now, there are fewer and fewer alternative music outlets
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
I think it’s broken. As artists we also have to be promoters, marketing and PR. Spotify is a necessity we can’t make money from, but have to be on it.
When the movie writers’ strike happened in LA it changed things. If we as musicians went on strike tomorrow I don’t think anything would happen sadly. We have to pay thousands of Euros for equipment, studio time, mastering and marketing.
Even if the music is mind blowing, breaking even is a good result. I’ve been really lucky having TV and advertising placements that help out financially
What’s your thoughts on AI generated music?
I think if we use it as a too,l we could harness it to help write projects that would be positive but AI generated K pop I’ve heard is pretty convincing and a bit scary. I don’t think it could replace alternative music though, we’re all a bit too weird.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
TV on the Radio, DIIV, The Growlers, Alvvays
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
It’s a single called Oscar featuring Meryl Streek. It’s about wanting to live a quiet simple life but that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a bit of 60s Tarantino surf rock meets 90s grunge, fast and heavy.
What was the recording process like?
I tracked all of the guitars, bass and my vocals at my home studio. Then we went into Darklands (Studio in Dublin) where Dan Doherty played the drums and mixed the song.
We had Meryl in for his vocals too. We’ve all worked together on many different projects so its quick and easy, a really creative experience
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Nope
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Support your friends’ bands if you can. Go to their shows, help share their music on social media, buy their merch. It means the world to them. They don’t have hope without you!
FOLLOW THE ARTIST HERE
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