Mick Qwerty has released his new single, Google Your Symptoms. We asked him the big questions . . .
Mick is an Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who began song writing in admiration of artists like King Krule, Elliott Smith and Alex G.
Google Your Symptoms, a taster of his upcoming debut EP, is song of political disillusionment and speaking about the track, he says, "It details my frustration at the time of the most recent Irish General Election, particularly when I scrolled through Twitter.
"I found the more attention I paid to the election, or the more I would educate myself on Irish politics, the worse I'd feel about the state of the country.
"It feels the same as googling your symptoms, where you already feel sick enough as it is, and in Googling things, it only piles on layers of anxiety. Reassurance is never offered, especially when the organs that you’re stressing over are the failing Irish institutions around you."
Tell us three things about yourself?
I got into music through the iTunes playlists of older brothers, got into drums through the set in Guitar Hero World Tour, and then got into guitar to get the Gaisce bronze award.
How would you describe your music?
My music is completely DIY, embracing the creativity that’s bred from not knowing what you’re doing. It’s a blend of jazzy chords, lo-fi punk drums and a laidback spoken-word vocal style.
Who are your musical inspirations?
King Krule, The Avalanches, Earl Sweatshirt, Silver Jews, Joni Mitchell, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Yves Tumor.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
My first concert was Blink-182 in the 3Arena back in 2010. I had just started playing drums and I brought a sign for Travis Barker that said, "Travis! Teach me!". And then the first album I remember spending my own money on was Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs when I was 10.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Jackie Down the Line - Fontaines D.C. Their best song yet in my eyes. Dan Carey’s production is brilliant too.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"In 1984, I was hospitalised for approaching perfection". Random Rules - Silver Jews.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sun in Your Eyes by Grizzly Bear. The perfect song.
Where can people find more information about you and your music?
The music is up in all the usual places and then the place I’m most active is my Instagram.
