fast-rising Belfast alt-folk band No Oil Paintings have released their new single, What Good Does It Do. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Taken from the band's forthcoming debut album, the song was self-recorded at Half Bap Recording Studios, mixed by Ben McAuley and mastered by Dan Coutant at Sun Room Audio Mastering in New York.
"The song is a personal admission of the futility of one's own anger and frustration," says front man Chris Kelly. "An enraged and impassioned plea for better temperament, delivered sonically by the band with a fury equal to that which the song's lyrics portray."
Tell us three things about yourself?
We're a four-piece from Belfast. We’re not a bluegrass band even though we have a banjo.
How would you describe your music?
We’re a blend of folk, country, and Americana music.
Who are your musical inspirations?
We draw inspiration from lots of different artists such as - Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson. However, a lot of our vocal style comes from Irish traditional music like The Dubliners, Christy Moore and more recently Lankum.
What are you most looking forward to post-lockdown?
We’re most looking forward to the release of our debut album Rain Season and touring. We’ve missed a live audience more than anything the past 18 months.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Sean: Rachel’s Song - James McMurtry.
James: If It Be Your Will - Leonard Cohen.
Chris: Same Ole Blues - Freddy King.
George: Satisfied - The Staves.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Sean: "When she was drunk, she made cancer jokes, made up her own doctor’s notes. Surrounded by her family I could see that she was dying alone." Elephant - Jason Isbell.
Chris: "Tomorrow’s half of all you got, so treat him good because when I’m gone, he’ll stay" - Only Him or Me - Townes Van Zandt.
George: "She asked, are you cursed? He said, I think that I'm cured. Then he kissed her and hoped that she'd forget that question" - The Curse - Josh Ritter.
James: "I know, no one's going to show me everything. We all come and go unknown. Each so deep and superficial. Between the forceps and the stone". - Hejira - Joni Mitchell.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Sean: Face on the Bar Room Floor - Hank Snow.
Chris: Blue and Green - Miles Davis.
James: Hejira - Joni Mitchell.
George: Grace - Jeff Buckley.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find out more about us from our website and all the usual socials. You can also purchase our music and merch on Bandcamp.
