Stout Talk
Stout Talk wear their hearts (and art work) on their sleeves with the release of their debut single ‘Afraid of the Sea’. A three and a half minute slice of indie rock perfection, littered with more hooks than the fishing boats that navigate the wide open waters they use as metaphor in the track.
‘Afraid of the Sea’ was born after lead guitarist Cormac Flanagan escaped on a solo fishing trip to Donegal. Overcome and burnt out by the stresses of day-to-day life, the trip served as the perfect opportunity to let go of these impinging elements. Cormac found catharsis by pouring his stresses into a melancholic pop chord progression, influenced by his current state of mind and surroundings in Teelin Bay. Upon his return the track was presented to the band; Pody Muldoon on bass, Ciaran McManus on guitar and Lee Milligan on drums, to take their hammers to the iron and forge it into something which was entirely their own. Vocalist, Cahir Turbett, was able to extrapolate meaning from Cormac’s melancholy chords, giving voice to it by writing about the fear of commitment from a partner, the anxiety and pressure of taking a relationship forward and trying to communicate that you feel differently to your partner.
This is all wrapped up in a three and a half minute indie rock song that owes as much to mid west emo as it does to post punk or New York indie darlings, The Stokes. Strummed acoustic chords give way to a fuzzed out lead guitar line that pulls you in hook, line and sinker. Harmony backing vocals weave their way through the verses against a back drop of guitars dripping in watery chorus sounds that are reminiscent of 80’s Cure. The rhythm section of Pody and Lee give all this steady ground to sit upon, adding drive and punch when needed. When the song breaks around the two minute, it feels like waves lapping against the shore until a wailing guitar solo comes crashing in. The guitar and vocals ape each other’s melody to carry us to the end, with the question posed and forever unanswered.
The track was recorded, mixed and produced by Jonny Woods in his 1980 Something Studios. It was a collaborative effort in the studio with the band and Jonny crafting the song into it’s final form. Up until the band entered the studio the track would often take on different structures live, as the band gave into some of its improvisational leanings. It was in the studio that the track was cut down and focused on the various melodies and hooks that up the track now. The track was mastered by Jon Moorehead at Moosetronix, bringing his considerable talents to round off production.
Art work for the single comes from a photo of Teelin Bay, that was the birth place for the track during Cormac’s trip to Donegal. Cormac took this image to his tattoo artist who worked into it the art that will forever adorn Cormac’s arm. This became the art work for the single, making it all the more personal and a mark of what the band has achieved together so far. The video was spliced together by Colm Teague using footage taken from various shows, rehearsals and in studio footage that helps celebrate the band, the track and highlights some of the people who have supported the band from the very beginning.
While the track touches upon the relationship between two people confronting a fork in the road for that relationship. It’s the relationship between the band, the place, the people around them and the people who helped make the track that are at the heart of this release. Hidden behind ear worms of guitar lines and hooky choruses we can find melancholy and catharsis but the question will beg forever ‘are you afraid of the sea?’
Ciaran - Rhythm Guitar
Born Slippy (Nuxx) - Underworld
It stands as one of the greatest songs ever composed. Its blend of complex simplicity of melody has left an indelible mark on the realm of electronic music. The song transports the listener to a sonic landscape, underscoring its timelessness as a masterpiece that continues to resonate globally
Beeswing - Christy Moore
Is a gem in the world of folk music. This song weaves a captivating narrative with its heartfelt lyrics and Christy Moore's soulful delivery. Its timeless quality and the ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia make it one of the finest folk songs ever penned
Cormac - Lead Guitar
Basketball Shoes - Black Country New Road
Is the perfectly devastating end to one of the greatest albums of the 21st Century, the heavy layered instruments mixed with the soul crushing vocal delivery by Isaac Woods makes for a beautifully bittersweet 12 minute experience
Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of hearts - Bob Dylan
Stands out from the rest of the songs on Blood on the Tracks. While the rest of the album focuses on the end of a relationship this ballad rather tells a stand-alone story of an old Caberet and a murder mystery. Bob Dylan’s lyricism is unparalleled in pulling you into the story, it manages to hold your attention throughout a full 9 minutes without relying on a chorus.
American Football’s first album
Is what got me into Midwest Emo. I think Honestly is the best track on that album. It has all the great elements of yearning lyrics, twinkly guitars and odd timing that define the genre. It’s the perfect song to listen to when staring out of the driver side window of a car late at night
Pody - Bass
Angel - NewDad
I’ve been listening to Angel by NewDad a lot lately, it’s one of their new songs and I really enjoy the bass line on it, it’s super catchy and has this lovely chorus effect on it. They’re sound is evolving and it’s really cool to see.
Take That - Bob Vylan
I’ve also been listening to Take That by Bob Vylan. It’s really cool like it’s almost a club banger but maintains the punky rap vocals and attitude about it. I saw them recently and the energy at the show was insane
757 - 100 gecs
I’m a huge fan of 100 gecs and their song 757. I really like their music it almost borders on pure sound design. The song is really goofy, at one point it even samples a tie fighter. I like their complete lack of seriousness while still putting out amazing made songs
Cahir - Lead Vocals
Here In Your Arms - Hellogoodbye
All time favourite song, don’t see anything ever beating it. The same four chords all the way through in the same order but somehow there’s three distinct sections to the song, and the bridge is one of my favourite moments in a song ever. I think this song is proof that it’s possible to use the same chords as a million other songs and some vague lyrical platitudes and make a genuinely original, emotional piece of music. The keytar the dude plays in the video is a nice touch too.
There She Goes - The La’s
Don’t even know how or why it’s so good, it just somehow is. No real verses, just the chorus repeated over and over and then a bridge but the melodies in both are unbelievable. Probably the best example of “don’t bore us, get to the chorus” songwriting ever.
