Veteran Cork band Cypress, Mine! have announced their new album - to be released next year - and new single, Spellbinding. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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The band, who are best known for their 1987 debut album Exit Trashtown, were formed in 1984 by Ian Olney (guitar), Ciarán Ó Tuama (vocals), Mark Healy (drums) and Denis O'Mullane (bass).
The current line-up of Cypress, Mine! is Ciarán, Mark on bass while Morty McCarthy of The Sultans of Ping on drums.
In their first dawning, they were influenced by Orange Juice, The Smiths, R.E.M., and Hüsker Dü and performed alongside U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Aztec Camera before disbanding in 1989.
After the breakup, Ian Olney became part of Dublin rock band Power of Dreams.
A subsequent successful re-issue in 2017 of Exit Trashtown on Spanish label Pretty Olivia Records re-ignited an interest in the band.
Since then, they have been reconnecting, writing and recording new music.
Cypress, Mine! play: 30 January, 2026 - Mike The Pies, Listowel. 31 January, 2026 - Levis, Ballydehob. 14 February, 2026 - Crane Lane, Cork. 21 March, 2026 - Bello Bar, Dublin.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Ciarán Ó Tuama: Worked in a bottling factory as my first job, I’m a Virgo and have a dog.
How would you describe your music?
Ciarán: Guitar-based pop music with a twist.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Ciarán: Sean-nós and punk.
Mark Healy: Brian Wilson, Mark E. Smith and Cathal Coughlan.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Mark: Thin Lizzy in Cork City Hall on the 13 of April 1980.
Ciarán: The Blades, supported by The Atrix.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Mark: Possibly Star Traks, a K-Tel compilation album in 1980.
Ciarán: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Soundtrack.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Mark: Spider Ballad by Kieran Hebden and William Tyler.
Ciarán: What a Way to Live by Sack.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Mark: For the life of me, I never listen to lyrics (Mark Healy)
Ciarán: "Oh, words are trains, for moving past what really has no name" - I Couldn't Bear To Be Special by Prefab Sprout.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mark: Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt.
Ciarán: Unfinished Sympathy - Massive Attack.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Cypress, Mine! on Facebook, Instagram and other social sites.
Alan Corr
