Folk singer Matt McIvor has released Park, the latest single from his debut album, One Word Stories. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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One Word Stories features contributions from Peter Mulvey, Sarah McCreedy, AOIBHA and Lucy Bell.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm 6' 1", dad to a 10-year-old and am terrified of wasps.
How would you describe your music?
Acoustic guitar driven storytelling with occasional fancy finger work.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I’m a massive fan of songwriters like Paul Simon, John Prine and Peter Mulvey, but I grew up on 90s grunge like Pearl Jam, Blind Melon and Soundgarden. If it has a melody and a story, I’m in.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My dad took me to see The Eagles at RDS in 1996, during their Hell Freezes Over tour, but later that year I went with my friends to see Pearl Jam at what was then the Point Depot. That concert felt like the first one to really impact me. It was equal parts gentle ballad and crazy arena rock.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first album I bought for myself was Ocean Colour Scene’s Mosley Shoals. I heard The Day We Caught The Train on the radio and had to have that album. I remember going to three different record stores before I found it in stock.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’ve been really into Dawes, this last few years. Their song, All Your Favourite Bands, is my current favourite. I love their conversational style of writing. Locally, my favourite thing right now is AOIBHA’s Peace In Insignificance which has a disarmingly soothing melody, for a heavy topic.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"When the very bottom dollar has gone to the last top dog, when the princess has kissed you soundly and you are still a frog, when there’s no way through, the only way is out, when it’s all over but the shouting, but you’re too tired to shout". That’s from Peter Mulvey’s Who’s Gonna Love You Now. Obviously a breakup/reflection song. I love how concise his songwriting is. How this perfectly sums up having to resign yourself to your fate in a hard situation.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Every Little Inch by Gareth Dunlop has been constantly in my head since its release. I haven’t tired of going back to it over and over.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can get me on the usual streaming sites and Bandcamp. For any updates, sign up to my mailing list.
Alan Corr
