Tipperary songwriter Seánie Bermingham has released Call The Coroner, the first single from his debut EP, That Hollow Moon. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Seánie is a folk artist from South Tipperary who has recently shared stages with Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and Ye Vagabonds at the Pilgrims and Players Festival in Kilkenny and supported Gary O'Neill in The Workman’s Cellar.
He has been writing songs for the best part of a decade and when talking of his influences, he says:
"I was heavily influenced by the work of Sufjan Stevens and Fionn Regan, but none more so than Justin Vernon. His self-titled second album, Bon Iver, opened the door to an entire new world of music for me."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a primary school teacher and have worked in Scoil na Mainistreach in Celbridge for the last few years. It's a brilliant school and I loved having the opportunity to make movies and write songs (and struggle to explain long division) with my classes. I'm taking a break from teaching to focus on music and travel now but look forward to returning to the classroom in the future.
My parents renovated an old cowshed on our farm into a concert venue called Crocanoir when I was 14. Since then, we’ve had countless Irish and international artists pass through our doors. These concerts would always turn into a music session that lasts long into the night so getting to chat and sing songs with these acts has been a great source of inspiration.
I organised the music festival Caic sa Choill with a few friends last year. I spent lockdown tidying up another cowshed alongside my pals Paul and Andrew with the hope of turning it into something special. We gathered a team and went about inviting some of our favourite acts down to play tunes at the foot of Slievenamon. It was a weekend of great music, swims in the River Anner and late night sing-songs.
How would you describe your music?
This is a question I’ve always found difficult to answer. Here’s what my friend Shane that plays the bouzouki with me had to say: "Séanie Bermingham is a folk artist whose songwriting style is marked by thematically dense lyricism and intricate acoustic melodies. His recorded material combines double-tracked vocals and unconventional song structures to cultivate a sound entirely his own." Thanks, Shane. Your fiver is in the post.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Sufjan Stevens, Justin Vernon, Adrianne Lenker, Fionn Regan, Anna Mieke and Scott Hutchison, to name but a few.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The earliest gigs that I can remember are the ones my dad would have played. It didn’t matter if they were in a proper venue or just in our sitting room, both were as exciting. In the latter, Dad would have played all of his hits, such as: "Seánie, Where’s Your Nappy Gone?" and "In my Nanny’s House on Holidays is a Nun." These songs continue to resurface at family gatherings today. Just to add, my nappy has long since gone, as has the nun.
What was the first record you ever bought?
JCB Song by Nizlopi. The "I’m Luke, I’m five and my Dad’s Bruce Lee" ending had me hopping off the walls as an eight-year-old. I must admit that it still has the same effect today.
What’s your favourite song right now?
The Only Thing I Fear - Joshua Burnside. I’ve been listening to Joshua a lot lately, but I love the confessional lyrics and rawness of this track in particular. It’s one I keep coming back to. I’ve also had Twin by Anna Mieke on repeat for the last few weeks.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"You should look through some old photos, I adored you in every one of those, If someone took a picture of us now, they'd need to be told, That we had ever clung and tied, A navy knot with arms at night, I'd say she was his sister, but she doesn't have his nose". Poke - Frightened Rabbit.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Perth - Bon Iver. I was 15 when Justin Vernon released his self-titled Bon Iver album. I can distinctly remember putting on my headphones and listening to it for the first time a few days after I finished the Junior Cert. The builds and immediacy of it all stirred something in me. That album is the reason I write songs today.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find more music and info on my Spotify and Instagram @seanie_bermingham.
