Dublin singer Danny Carroll has released his new single, Cheesemonger. We asked him the BUG questions . . .
Part of the Dublin music scene for years, he is co-curator of the A Litany Of Failures compilation series showcasing independent artists from across Ireland.
Having gigged in various projects, he's opened for acts such as Jeffrey Lewis and Pavement guitarist Spiral Stairs before the time came to work on his debut solo album.
Enlisting the help of Belfast based producer Chris W. Ryan (New Dad, Just Mustard, Robocobra Quartet), the two incorporated classical guitar, lap steel, and melodica. Danny’s songs have been likened to Wilco, Jonathan Richman, and Lee Hazelwood.
He plays Thursday 28 September: Prim’s, Kinsale, Friday 29 September: Levis’, Ballydehob, Saturday 30 September: Plug’d, Cork.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m from Dublin and I currently live in a curious part of town surrounded by unoccupied apartments and an abject sense of disparity. In my 20s, I made a couple of albums with my pals Keith and Josh as Shrug Life, and now, in my 30s I make music as a 'serious solo artist’ - sometimes I wear a suit or blazer to emphasise this. I help organise a compilation series called A Litany Of Failures, that features independent artists from across the island - we just released our fourth volume.
How would you describe your music?
Self-aware crooner-core indie rock. Sometimes sad bastard beard music, sometimes sincere and celebratory post-Beatles cosplay. On stage, with a full band there’s two guitars, two keyboards, a melodica, a lap steel, a saxophone, three vocals and drums.
Who are your musical inspirations?
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Well, I play guitar in a band from Limerick called FONDA. Big Liam O’Fonda is a big inspiration. My songs are produced by Chris W. Ryan, who fronts a unique and inspiring band called Robocobra Quartet. My pal Carl Eccles played on a few of my songs, he fronts an excellent trio - Careerist. Laura Ryder plays keys in my band and is a superb songwriter in her own right. Frank Collins plays in my live band and his project Old Sport is a very inspiring endeavour to watch unfold. For my latest single my friend Stevie Lennox lent me his Gibson SG and his band Junk Drawer continues to amaze me. I think it’s the people close to you that have the most impact. Or maybe it just sounds a bit like Wilco, I dunno.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I got to see ‘Thin Lizzy’ (featuring Scott Gorham and no other original members), when I was 14. My new song has some Lizzy-esque guitar moves on the end of it. I suppose it lit a fuse.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Okay, I’ll tell you. I was 10. It was Linkin Park, Hybrid Theory, but y’know, in the end, it doesn’t even matter.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Yesterday, I cycled around Dublin for a few hours delivering records. For the majority of the journey, I listened to Men On A Mission by Ahmed with Love, Curtisy and Rory Sweeney. It felt propulsive enough to take me hither and dither with ease. Beyond that, this summer I was really locked into the song To The Test by Elaine Howley. There’s a hypnotic vulnerability to that piece of music.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I’m struggling to answer that one. David Berman has a few good ones. There’s a lyric in Snow Is Falling In Manhattan that’s quite succinct. A bit of a Thank You For The Music sitch: "Songs build little rooms in time, And housed within the song's design, Is the ghost the host has left behind, To greet and sweep the guest inside, Stoke the fire and sing his lines".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Revolution 9 by The Beatles - let the unravelling begin.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I love the internet: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, Snotify.
Alan Corr
