Dublin-based composer and producer Stephen Shannon has released his new single Eyot from his forthcoming album Fathoms, which is out on 19 May. He plays the NCH in Dublin on the same date. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
In his 20 years in the music industry, Stephen has released music as Mount Alaska, Strands and Halfset and as a film and TV composer, his recent projects include Claire Dix's film Sunlight (with Matthew Nolan), TV drama The Ex-Wife and Kim Bartley’s documentary Pure Grit.
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He has recorded and produced Iarla O’Lionaird, Howe Gelb, Chequerboard, The Lost Brothers, James Yorkston, Slow Moving Clouds and many more.
The album launch show will feature a full ensemble of Max Greenwood (piano), Mary Barnecutt (cello), Matthew Nolan (electronics, synths) and a Crash Ensemble string quartet of Cora Venus Lunny, Maria Ryan, Kate Ellis, and Lisa Dowdall, as part of the Metronome series of concerts. Support on the night is from Catscars (Robyn Bromfield, Everything Shook).
Fathoms is the first album released under Stephen's own name and is described as his most ambitious project yet. In 2021, Stephen received an Arts Council Agility Award to compose and record with members of Crash Ensemble on an album that spans the divide between his film scoring and electronic projects.
"I’ve been collecting and playing synthesisers for over twenty years and am obsessed with their unique sound. I’m particularly drawn to 1980s synthesis, rooted in childhood memories of watching Depeche Mode, A-ha, New Order and Yazoo on Top of the Pops.
"This has informed and influenced how I make music, both for film and my own compositions. My work unites orchestration and electronically created sound, influenced by artists like Jóhann Jóhannsson, Ólafur Arnalds and Nicholas Britell.
"Working with arranger Mary Barnecutt and some of Ireland’s finest musicians - Diamanda La Berge Dramm, Maria Ryan, Kate Ellis, and Lisa Dowdall – brought something new to the album.
"These songs represent a sense of time of passing and metamorphosis in my life. Written in early 2021 during a significant time globally, like many people, I was assessing my life, work, and relationships. I began to see who and what mattered most to me.
"The death of two old friends gave me an additional sense of that, and really resonated with what I was trying to do with this album."
Tickets for the Fathoms launch at the National Concert Hall on 19 May are available here.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m quite good at identifying the instruments used in 80s pop songs, particularly synthesisers and drum machines. I’ve always loved the sound of synths from the early eighties. They’re integral to the music of that era. Eurythmics, Kraftwerk, Yazoo, A-ha, Depeche Mode, Bronski Beat and many others. Bands like these were on the radio and TV when I was a kid. I had no idea what these sounds were back then, but I realise now that they were an influence. I have a collection of old synths in my little studio now, but I couldn’t justify buying some of the instruments from that time. A lot of them are rare collectibles, and some of them cost more than a new car.
I’m a self-taught musician. I picked up an electric guitar with one string from my friend’s bedroom floor when I was 14. He gave it to me, and I remember buying a set of strings for it and learning my first chords. I was completely hooked. Music became a life-long obsession because of it.
In 2021, I received an Arts Council Agility Award to fund making an album with a string quartet from The Crash Ensemble. I created the music and string arrangements on synthesisers here at my studio. When I finally heard the musicians perform them, it was a huge moment for me. I’m very proud of the result. I’ll be performing the album live at The National Concert Hall in Dublin on 19 May with an ensemble featuring Kate Ellis, Lisa Dowdall, Maria Ryan, Cora Venus Lunny and Mary Barnecutt on strings.
How would you describe your music?
I’ve been making electronic music for many years, but I’ve always been interested in film music. I compose music for film and tv and that work has been a huge influence on what I do over the last few years. I enjoy listening to composers like Nicholas Britell, Johann Johannsenn and Olafur Arnalds, so I guess their music informs what I create.
What are your musical inspirations?
I like to avoid distractions when I’m trying to create. It can be quite hard these days with emails, messages, social media etc. That’s probably why I feel most inspired working late at night when everyone else is asleep. Most of the music I’m happiest with is created at that time.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
It was Metallica in The Top Hat, Dun Laoghaire in 1988. A band called Danzig were supporting. I loved it!
What was the first record you ever bought?
It was Meat Is Murder by The Smiths. That was quite a cool first buy. Unfortunately, I ruined that by buying a Kiss Greatest Hits album at the same time.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Owls by Samuel Powell.
Favourite lyric of all time?
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths. They were the first band I really loved. I recorded it on cassette from The Dave Fanning Show when I was a kid. I knew the lyrics for the song before I even knew who the band was.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Night by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. It’s just a perfect song. If I couldn’t listen to anything else, I’d probably end up hating it though.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can listen to Eyot, a song from my album now and previous releases as Mount Alaska on Spotify. There are links to other releases on my website.
