Clonakilty folk/roots artist O Deer has released his debut single, Waterside. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
O Deer is the musical project of Oisín Walsh-Peelo, who is a session musician and has played throughout the USA, Europe, Ireland, and the UK. He has toured worldwide with a wide range of artists and bands including Hudson Taylor, Hozier, Gabrielle Aplin, Hannah-Grace, Villagers, Sun Collective, and I Have a Tribe.
His debut album which is set for release September 2022.
Speaking about Waterside, which is available to stream/buy now on Bandcamp, Walsh-Peelo says: "This song means a lot to me. It was written in a time just before the pandemic when there was a lot of change going on in my life. Waterside a short reflection of the state of the outer vs. the inner world: our natural environment vs. our mental and emotional one.
"It's strange to me that we witness the beauty and wonder of our natural world on a daily basis, yet so often allow it to pass us by unacknowledged - It's the same in relationships as well. This song tries to articulate that in some way. It’s really a reminder to myself to not take anything for granted."
Tell us three things about yourself?
I live on a farm in Clonakilty in West Cork. I brew beer and make a lot of bread as well as spend my life tinkling and plucking various different noise makers. Doors act as memory-wiping portals for me - I walk through them and completely forget what I'm doing on the other side.
How would you describe your music?
Chilled-out acoustic nostalgia for melancholy souls.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Joni Mitchell, The Band, Laura Marling, Kíla, Gustav Mahler, Fionn Regan, Ólafur Arnalds, Patrick Ó Laoghaire.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
The first gig I ever went to (off my own bat) was Tenacious D at the RDS. I was 12 and went with my older brother. I still remember trying not to let my Mammy hear any of their music via my old Creative Zen mp3 player. The lyrics were so outrageously inappropriate, and I was terrified she'd stop me from going if she heard them. I bought the ticket in the Sound Cellar in Dublin back when you could physically choose your tickets. Jack Black absolutely rocked it - It was a hilarious show.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Elegy by Leif Vollebekk. Can't get enough of the simple groove in this tune. Such a well-placed bassline too. I'm going to see him in Whelan’s in April and I can't wait. That fella brings some serious feels about the place with him.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized cause I'm a strict vegetarian but with the over-population and inflation and starvation and the crazy politicians, I don't feel safe in this world no more, I don't want to die in a Nuclear war, I wanna sail away to a distant shore - and make like an apeman". Apeman - The Kinks (1970).
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
God that'd be my nightmare. It's probably a cheat but I'd choose Max Richter's Sleep. It's eight hours long and I think it would be the least obtrusive soundtrack for forever.
Where can people find your music/more information?
On the internet! You can buy my music on Bandcamp, Listen on Spotify and Tidal etc. I have an Instagram too.
