Mayo-born, Bangkok-based multi-instrumentalist and ambient composer Seamus O'Muineachain has released his new album, Island of Flowers. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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The album, his ninth, began after Seamus saw his first child on an ultrasound scanner for the first time.
"Seeing the baby and hearing the heartbeat for the first time was more inspiring to me as an artist than I had anticipated," he says. "I started to have vivid visions of land brimming with flowers and life in my dreams."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm from Belmullet, County Mayo, but currently based in Bangkok, Thailand. I enjoy discussing philosophy, society, and art, but I equally enjoy spending time alone. I've been making music, mainly late at night, for over 20 years.
How would you describe your music?
I call it "driving to mass music", because it’s innocuous, mostly gentle and easy listening, but intended to take you somewhere meditative and spiritual.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Hiroshi Yoshimura, he creates worlds with the bare essentials. Pink Floyd, even if it is cliche, their music connects me to some unearthly plane, and their contribution to ambient music isn’t appreciated enough. Some Irish artists that have really inspired me include Enya, Conor Walsh, and Chequerboard.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
JJ72 at Leisureland, Salthill, Galway, 2002.
What was the first record you ever bought?
My earliest memory of buying music was the CD single of Freestyler by Bomfunk MCs.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I am on the Geese bandwagon at the moment, and their song Au Pays du Cocaine is speaking to me more than any song has in a while.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Martin Luther King had a dream, somebody else had a rifle". From the song Dada Taranta by Farren Jecky of Rural Savage.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hard question. I would say Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians because it’s long, so you get good mileage from it, and it has a wide emotional palette, some sections get really tense, but there’s resolve and beauty too. You can both dance and relax to it.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I put all my stuff on Bandcamp and you can follow me on Instagram (@seamusomuineachain).
Alan Corr
