Tipperary-based producer and vocalist Vale has released his new single, Allow and Breach. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The solo project of Eoin Hally (formerly of the band Pale Rivers), Vale has collaborated with people like Nashville-based producer Owen Lewis, Icelandic musician Sin Fang (of the band Seabear) and producer, multi-instrumentalist David O'Connor.
Although Vale is yet to play live, an electronic live show is in the works with a full four-piece band that includes Alex Ridley (HousePlants, Daithí) on drums, David O’Connor (Pale Rivers, The Workshop Studio) on Ableton and samples duty, Kate Twohig on piano and OP1 and Hally himself on vocals and, as he puts it, a whole bunch of synths.
Speaking about Allow and Breach, Vale says, "It’s about inner conflict. It’s about wanting, more than anything, to give someone more than you can ultimately offer, and accepting this reality that we are bound by.
"The realisation that in a moment of crisis, when someone you love is in danger, the only role you can play is that of being there, in the moment. When no one else is."
Tell us three things about yourself?
When I was 19, I got to do a tour of Malawi with a band I was playing in at the time. We played our own club and festival gigs there and collaborated with local musicians. An incredible experience, and eye opening on many levels.
For a brief moment I was going to go to art college after secondary school. I started a portfolio course but realised I didn’t have the bottle to spend two weeks line drawing a decomposing pepper. Music seemed far more accessible and immediate to me right about then.
I was recently part of a choir for a project. It was a completely unfiltered rock and roll experience. Singing in Latin is a total vibe. The next Vale single will be all in Latin.
How would you describe your music?
I would say it’s somewhere in the world of electro pop with ambient undertones.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Kate Bush, Tom Waits, Kanye West, Angel Olsen.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
Technically it was The Drifters with my parents when I was about five or six, but I barely remember it. Next to that it was The White Stripes in Marley park with my brother. We walked in and Peaches was on stage opening the show. I’d never seen or heard anything like it. Incredible.
I think the first record I ever bought was Warning by Green Day. Or a cassette of Pure Morning by Placebo.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Manchester Air by Saint Sister. Amazing. Their entire new album is great.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Growing up I was obsessed with Tom Waits. I listened to and researched his music so much. I don’t listen to him so much these days but his track Who Are You still regularly knocks around my brain and his way with words definitely shaped the way I approach lyrics and inspired me to pursue music.
"How do your pistol and your Bible and your sleeping pills go? Are you still jumping out of windows in expensive clothes? Well, I fell in love with your sailor's mouth and your wounded eyes, You better get down on the floor, don't you know this is war? Tell me, who are you this time?"
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
That is difficult. Runaway by Kanye West?
Where can people find your music/more information?
https://www.instagram.com/thisisvalemusic/
https://twitter.com/ThisisValeMusic
https://www.facebook.com/thisisvalemusic
