So tell us about the album to be released shortly
We're really excited about it's release. It's been a long time coming. We're playing for about 3 years together. We have recorded some stuff in the past...some of them feature on the album...and some of it is oven-fresh. We've wanted to make this for so long...just various things got in the way. So last summer we made a conscious effort to start recording. So nearly a year later, here we are!!
Describe the album..
When we started recording, we had no money...like...nothing. We're still in the same situation right now! So if it was going to be done, we were going to have to do it all by ourselves. This is something that we'd like people to bear in mind when they listen to it. Apart from a day in the studio recording drums, no professionals were involved in the recording of this record. At the mixing stage, we acquired the expertise of my brother Liam to give us a hand making it sound as it does right now.
The songs are very honest I think. We wanted to get away from over-produced pop-tastic music. We never approached recording or writing with the attitude of: "ok, well put this little bit in, cause it's kinda radio-friendly". Although listening to it now, I think the melodies are very catchy and easy on the ear.
Keith, being the main songwriter has a very honest style of song-writing..and I think the music goes hand-in-hand with that.
Most debut albums have little more than 10 tracks on it. Why ye go with 14?
This was a difficult decision to make. We had talked with our friends about this and the general advice was to keep it short...people wont listen to 14 tracks..put 10/11 of your strongest on it, and leave it at that. A lot of the songs have been around for a good while and there were only one or two that we thought weren't strong enough. Others surfaced as we gigged, and they were also good. We wanted to record everything. So when the track-listing decision had to be made, we said we'd go with all that we had at that time. I think the tunes represent where the band are right now musically.
So do ye guys know each other long?
Well Keith and Colm went to primary school together and they were members of the original band. This is going back 4 years or more. Some members left, some members were told to leave (!), so I was asked if I'd like to join the band ...about 3 years ago. I had played in other bands when pier nineteen were starting out.
So what are the plans for the rest of the year?
Hopefully to gig as much as possible. We're very much aware of the huge task of promoting an album by ourselves. Although the Internet is a godsend in terms of getting music out to the rest of the world, you still have to get out there and let people experience the real-life show. There are lots of great venues around the country with so many cool people that will always take the time out to advise on certain industry things. So were gonna try and hit the four corners of Ireland in August and September.
Then what?
I guess we'll see how the public reacts to us. Probably do some more gigging coming up to Christmas...maybe start some more recording in early 2007.
Where do ye hope to be this time next year?
Ideally, we'd like to be playing some festivals in Ireland and in the UK. Again, we'll see how the public take to us. Maybe we are being too optimistic...maybe not...we'll gauge it as we go. Who knows what lies ahead of us. What we do know is that whatever happens, we're going to keep playing music. Whether we're the next Coldplay or we're the band who comes last in the Leitrim Battle Of The Bands competition, Pier Nineteen are gonna keep at it. because... we love it.
AT EVENSONG IS TO BE RELEASED NATIONWIDE ON JULY 28th.
Check local press and online for gig listings.