Irish indie band Good Strangers have released their new EP, Adult Teenage Novels. We asked Conor Quinn from the band the BIG questions . . .
Best friends since childhood, Niamh Kirby and Conor formed the band with Kevin Farrell (guitar), Luke Butt (bass) and Des Brodie (drums).
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Adult Teenage Novels was inspired by main writer Conor's struggles with his mental health following the end of a significant relationship. Quinn says '
"The songs on the EP are mostly about a breakup. I know itʼs an overdone cliche, but I wanted to write about the end of a relationship from a personal perspective and document that experience in real time as it was happening to me through writing.
"Breakups are a universally s*** thing that most of us as humans, will have to go through at least once in our lives.
"I think that the intense emotions felt through the end of a long-term relationship and losing someone you genuinely cared about can very much be associated with the feelings associated with grief."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Music, dogs and chips are all that matters in the world!
How would you describe your music?
I think our music is hard to pigeonhole into a particular box. As a band we have a wide range of different influences that somehow merge in the middle. Niamh and I were heavily influenced by the German folk scene when we lived in Berlin pre-Covid and that very much inspired the writing of our EP Adult Teenage Novels. But the lads brought this big rock energy to Good Strangers that I think has become more cemented as our sound. I very much feel that Good Strangers are a garage rock band really.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Ah, Jaysus, there's too many to name. I love everything from The Cure, The Smiths, Joy Division, Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, The National, Feist, Mazzy Star, Boygenius, Big Thief, Belle & Sebastian, Fontaines DC, Phoebe Bridgers etc . . . the list goes on.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I think the first proper gig I ever went to was to see Snow Patrol in The Point sometime around when their Eyes Open album came out. Myself and a few of my cousins went. It was a great show!
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first record I remember buying was Evanescence's album Fallen. I used to listen to that and Green Day's American Idiot album on repeat. I was a little emo kid at heart. Then again, It could have been a Spice Girls album, but I'm pretty sure that was bought for me.
What’s your favourite song right now?
It's more of a favourite album rather than a song, but I'm loving CMAT's new album Crazy Mad For Me at the minute. She's brilliant! Love her tune featuring John Grant, Where Are Your Kids Tonight. Banger!
Favourite lyric of all time?
This changes regularly, but I always loved the lyrics "I might never catch a mouse, and present it in my mouth, to make you feel you're with someone who deserves to be with you" from Frightened Rabbit's Poke. This song as a whole is just a masterclass in songwriting and Scott Hutchison is a genius!
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mary by Big Thief.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can check out our Instagram and all our socials to get updates on any gigs, releases, music etc. and you can check out our music on Spotify and most other streaming platforms.
Alan Corr
