The Stunning: We Come Alive, a new documentary film capturing The Stunning playing live with some special guests, premieres on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player this Sunday, 17 December at 11.40pm. We asked Steve Wall of the band the BIG questions . . .
Featuring special guests Mundy, Máirtín, Camille O'Sullivan, Zoe Conway, Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde, Niwel Tsumbu, Shobsy and Jon O’Connell, the film sees The Stunning convening in a school hall in Dublin in October 2021, after almost two years of boarded-up venues and silent stages.
They reunite with some longstanding musician friends and invite along some new ones they haven’t yet met but admire, to see what magic sparks.
The Stunning play Gleneagle INEC Arena, Co. Kerry on Saturday, 16 December.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m sitting in a van with band and crew on the way to our last two shows of the year in Castlebar and Killarney. Joe and I are folding merchandise as we speed through the countryside. The work never stops. In moments like this we always ask ourselves, "Do Bono and the Edge ever have to do this?"
When the t-shirts are folded, I will tether my laptop to my phone and start emailing people in the media to let them know that The Stunning’s new documentary film premieres this Sunday on RTÉ One and on the RTÉ Player. The signal is coming and going so it’s frustrating. In moments like this Joe and I often ask ourselves, "Do Bono and the Edge ever have to do this?"
When this is done, I will take out my copy of John B Keane’s Sive and continue learning lines. I’m currently in rehearsals for the play, which opens in the Gaiety Theatre on 27 January. It’s my first time treading the boards and I’m really excited about it and enjoying the rehearsal process so far.
How would you describe your music?
Melodic guitar-driven music with its feet planted firmly in the organic soil of rock, soul, country and a smattering of Irish folk (it’s in the blood).
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Who are your musical inspirations?
John Lennon, Kevin Morby, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Van Morrison, Planxty, Howling Wolf, Frederick Delius, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Fela Kuti, Tom Waits
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Rory Gallagher in the National Stadium around 1978.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Mott the Hoople - Honaloochie Boogie.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Miami - Baxter Dury.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Well, I know karate, voodoo, too, I'm gonna make myself available to you, I don't need to make up I got real scars, I got hair on my chest I look good without a shirt" - Tom Waits - Goin’ Out West.
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If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bandit - Neil Young.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Alan Corr
