Behind the music: Caimin Gilmore, The Sun Collective

Caimin Gilmore has just released The Sun Collective's new track, Swallow. We ask him the BIG questions.

Tell us three things about yourself?
I once drove from Galley Head Lighthouse in West Cork to Belfast, and back, for a chicken salad sandwich. It was delicious. I once met Macaulay Culkin. The situation involved him, Greg Saunier - the drummer in Deerhoof - and a toilet. I'm a professional double bassist.

How would you describe your music?
Chamber Folk Pop.

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Who are your musical inspirations?
Too many. Steve Reich, Stravinsky, Jeff Tweedy, Feist, Conor O'Brien, Lisa Hannigan, Liam O'Flynn, Marvin Gaye.

How did you occupy yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
I made a series of pre-recorded live performances of new double bass works from composers Sam Perkin, Linda Buckley, Benedict Schlepper-Connolly and Nick Roth. Premieres at 20:30 on Thursdays in June with composer interviews from Billy, aged five; his pal Ben, aged 12; and Kate Ellis, Artistic Director of the Crash Ensemble. A digital release of the pieces is out on June 25 entitled String Ogham Live. You can find them at my YouTube channel. I'm also writing for Sun Collective's upcoming EP, MOVE || REMOVE, out on August 10. In between all that, I'm planting far too many spuds and mizuna, getting notions with my Ottolenghi cookbook, agus tá mé ag foghlaim Gaeilge.

Whats your favourite song right now?
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Cormac Begley, Fig for a Kiss.

Favourite lyric of all time?
"Down on Cyprus Avenue
With a childlike vision leaping into view
Clicking, clacking of the high heeled shoe
Ford and Fitzroy, Madame George
Marching with the soldier boy behind
He's much older now with hat on drinking wine
And that smell of sweet perfume comes drifting through
The cool night air like Shalimar...

"And you know you gotta go
On that train from Dublin up to Sandy Row
Throwing pennies at the bridges down below
And the rain, hail, sleet, and snow"

Van Morrison, Madame George

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
The most timeless and beautiful, Peace Piece by Bill Evans.

Where can people find your music/more information?
Website: www.suncollective.ie
Instagram: www.instagram.com/suncollectiveband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/suncollectiveensemble
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suncollective_

Behind the music: Caimin Gilmore, The Sun Collective

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