Cork singer-songwriter Tom Cahalane has released his new single, Clouds. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
A session musician and electric guitar player by trade, Tom initially started airing his new material at open mic nights in Cork City, and since then has worked his way up to venues like Coughlan's and The Roundy, playing alongside such acts as Julia-Maria and BRIARS.
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Speaking about Clouds, he says, "I wrote the song about a challenging family relationship when I was a teenager.
"I’d spend a lot of time in the park by my house, thinking and worrying, to be honest. I would always look for approval from outside sources, even though I know that I don’t really need it. Clouds is a bit of a reminder of that for me,".
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I've been playing music professionally for a few years now, but I’m relatively new to writing and releasing my own music! I have a dog called Teddy that has sat next to me on the couch when I’ve written all my songs. I first met my wife nearly fifteen years ago when we were both teenagers playing all-ages gigs in Cork. (I didn’t get far into this without mentioning Cork did I?).
How would you describe your music?
Musically, I like to be very minimalist with the arrangements. Most songs I’ve written are for acoustic guitar and vocals. I like the idea of everything that needs to be in the song just coming from the guitar and voice. I’m used to playing in a lot of louder rock bands and playing electric guitar, so getting to write music like this is a lot of fun for me. I like to write songs that are honest and personal to me, pulling from experiences that I’ve had.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I listened to a lot of rock and indie music when I was younger (and still do!). Bands like The Strokes, The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys really made me fall in love with playing music as a teenager. I remember the day someone suggested that I listen to Tom Waits, I absolutely fell in love with his music. Bob Dylan and Paul Simon would be big ones for me as well. There’s a lot more, but I could be here all day!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
It was Guns N’ Roses in Punchestown in 2006 I think? I was around twelve and went with my Dad. I was just getting into music properly and on the cusp of being an angsty teenager, so I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen!
What was the first record you ever bought?
I honestly can’t remember! I do remember stealing a lot of my Dad’s CDs though. Copperhead Road by Steve Earle and Talking Heads' True Stories were two that were always on in the car as a kid.
What’s your favourite song right now?
That's a tough one. I’ve been listening to a lot of Irish music recently. Isn’t It Always The Way by BRIARS is an amazing song. They’re another band based in Cork (had to mention Cork again). I think Love by OK GO is brilliant too. I’ve had their newest album on repeat in the car a lot recently! The chorus of it has been stuck in my head for about three weeks now.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Slip Sliding Away by Paul Simon: "I know a woman became a wife, These are the very words she uses to describe her life, She said a good day ain’t got no rain, She said a bad day’s when I lie in bed, And think of things that might have been". The first time I properly listened to this song, this verse absolutely floored me. It’s just heartbreaking.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would have to be a Tom Waits song. Probably Martha. It’s just a perfect song, I could sing that chorus for the rest of my life
Where can people find your music/more information?
All the usual places! Instagram is probably the best; I tend to post all the important stuff there! @tom.cahalane.
Alan Corr
