Galway indie-rock/pop band The Valmonts have released their new single, Me & Myself Again, and play Whelan's Upstairs in Dublin on 17 May. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Me & Myself Again is the follow-up to their debut single Yesterday Kids and speaking about the song, The Valmonts say, "Me & Myself Again is about the lust you feel during a short-term relationship, that was never really right for you anyways. It's a homage to the importance of doing your own thing and individuality."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
We are a four-piece, indie-pop/rock band from Galway, made up of brothers Darragh and Keith Whyte, alongside Cathal Sweeney and Tymek Kocurkiewicz.
We’ve actually been playing together since we were kids. Three of us went to the same primary school. Funnily enough, we don’t really know what it’s like to not be playing music together. It all started with the PS2 and Grand Theft Auto Vice City. After school, we used to play that game together and we fell in love with the soundtrack and began playing music together in our garage.
Developing from that our music has ended up being the soundtrack to our lives. I mean you write from personal experience so it’s natural I guess but we hope people resonate with the songs like we do.
How would you describe your music?
Infectious pop riffs and pulsating rhythms. We’ve got a sound that’s somehow managed to evolve into something simultaneously new and nostalgic. We draw influence from such an array of decades from the 70s through to the 00s, it just kind of naturally happened, I guess.
Who are your musical inspirations?
We all listen to a wide variety of music from different eras but what has really inspired us over the years are acts from INXS, Prince, Queen to Thin Lizzy and Joy Division.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Well, we’ve all had different first gig experiences. For Myself (Darragh) I saw U2 on their Vertigo Tour when I was about 10. Seeing a stadium go wild for a band like that at such a young age was mesmerising.
Keith: AC/DC in Punchestown in 2009 was my first concert! Begged my Dad for months to bring me, and he ended up enjoying it as much as us. Darragh, Dad and I became concert buddies after that day. Unforgettable experience!
Cathal: I was 12 when I saw Rodrigo y Gabriela in Galway City, My first time at a gig in a crowd of over 1000 people, blew my mind.
Tymek: First proper gig I went to was Slipknot in the 3 Arena when I was 18. I’ve never been to a gig of that size before and being right up at the front moshing with everyone in the pit was a massive rush. The whole experience was a blur and by then I remember laying in the back of my dad’s car with my best mate absolutely wrecked and sweaty. They definitely left an impression on me and showed how crazy crowds can go for a cult band.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I Believe it was Michael Jackson's Number Ones.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I think it’d have to be Flowers by Miley Cyrus. It’s an anthemic pop tune with so many great hooks and the lyrics, well they speak for themselves.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The more you know the less you feel" - U2 - City Of Blinding Lights. When you get older things aren’t as exciting as they once were. With more knowledge there’s simply less mystery. That Mystery is where the spark for motivation comes from. It’s important to not let go of that side of yourself.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our music is available on all streaming platforms, and you can keep up to date with gigs and more on all the usual bits @thevalmonts.
