Dublin-based electronic artist and producer Rory Sweeney launches his new album, Old Earth, at the Button Factory, Dublin on 29 October. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Written between Dublin, Manchester, Letterkenny and Sligo, Old Earth follows his 2022 debut Trash Catalogue, and features Saoirse Miller, Róis, Risteárd Ó hAodha, Celine Starling, EMBY, Emily Beattie, Ahmed, With Love, Curtisy, Ushmush, Roo Honeychild, and Julia Louise Knifefist.
Rory is a 2023 AVA Producer of the Year winner, and he has a 2024 RTÉ Choice Prize nomination for Best Album (What Was The Question by Dublin rapper Curtisy).
Old Earth is also available as a limited vinyl release in partnership with Anthem Vinyl.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm an electronic artist/freak from Dublin. My new album called Old Earth is out now. It debuts live at Button Factory, Dublin on 29 October.
How would you describe your music?
Music for insects. Somewhere between IDM music and dream pop and bass music, at the intersection of the internet and paganism.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Björk, Oneohtrix Point Never, King Tubby, Laurel Halo, Wiley, Actress, The Haxan Cloak, Future, Tirzah, Matmos, Mica Levi, Oli XL, Steve Reich, Klein, Mumdance, Massive Attack, Enya, Aphex Twin, Autechre, Loraine James, Young Thug, Burial, Kelela, Radiohead, The Bug, Lil Texas, Tim Hecker, Fleet Foxes, Anna Mieke, Rat Heart, DJ Screw, Addison Rae, Cormorant Tree Oh, Flying Lotus, Wraith9, Rainy Miller, Space Afrika, Auffthorn, Fatima Al Qadiri.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
U2, I think. It was whack.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Dustin The Turkey - Bling When Your Minging, I asked my parents for it when I was seven or eight. First record I bought with my own money was Arca’s self-titled album when I was 17.
What's your favourite song right now?
Redda - Body.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"It's a dark road, but it ain't no accidents. No coincidences, it's all praxis" - Billy Woods.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Can’t pick so I’ll say both. Anna Mieke - Mannequin and Aphex Twin - Inkey$.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Preferably on Bandcamp, Nina.Protocol, Qobuz or my website, but also available on Tidal, Apple Music etc. I took my music off of Spotify in protest of their investment in the military industrial complex and hideous payouts.
Alan Corr
