Co Clare act Torpey has released his new single, Only The Good Die Young, from upcoming EP. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Born in Tulla, Co. Clare, Torpey grew up surrounded by music as his mother, Kate Purcell, was a singer with the Grammy-nominated band Cherish The Ladies.
He started learning the piano at age five and, in his early teens, began learning how to play his favourite pop songs by ear. At 15, he picked up the guitar, having listened to bands such as The Beatles, Oasis, and The Arctic Monkeys.
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Speaking about his new song, Torpey says, "I like to think of Only The Good Die Young as falling into the camp of 'optimistic nihilism'. It’s a song that is lyrically about feeling nihilistic about the state of the world but with music that uplifts and offers catharsis to that feeling."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m from East Clare. I started playing the piano when I was five and got a keyboard for Christmas, and I started learning the guitar when I was fifteen. And, finally, I’m afraid of swimming in the ocean (and spiders).
How would you describe your music?
I describe it, mainly, as 90s/00s era pop-rock, with a few songs leaning more towards Americana folk.
Who are your musical inspirations?
The first ones that spring to mind would be The Beatles, Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys and Sam Fender.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I can remember going to see Dustin the Turkey in the Olympia way back when.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Other than the odd Disney soundtrack, I think it was Hot Fuss by The Killers. I remember being in the back of the car when Mr. Brightside came on and asking my mam what song it was. That evening, she arrived home, album in hand.
What’s your favourite song right now?
It changes a lot, but right now it's Blue by Mai Yamane. It’s written so beautifully that it managed to break me out of a pretty long bout of writers block when I first heard it last year.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Always the cowboy never the cow, I hate the way my life turned out" - CMAT
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My new single Only The Good Die Young. More realistically, a song that never gets old is Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Where can people find your music/more information?
My music is available on all the streaming services under Torpey. My Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are all @torpeymusic, and my TikTok is @torpey.music.
Alan Corr
