And So It Flies - 'Keg' - My New Album
Dear Friends,
My new record 'Keg' is out now. I started recording it in August 2021 and completed it fully only a few weeks ago. Over the course of the record there were some challenges. The first day I sat down to record, taking a break after the very first session I learned of the heartbreaking news, that a very close friend of mine, Gregory, had died suddenly. I was devastated. As I'd made quite a few arrangements to set up the session, I decided to push on, despite everything that was going on. So for that reason, I will never forget these sessions and songs. I figured that I could use the drug of grief and channel it into something. As it happened, I'd two songs which referenced Greg prepared for the album, which none of my other albums had so that was uncanny. They were weird to record but maybe cathartic too. To be honest, the initial weeks after Greg's death I carried on with the sessions, I was definitely all over the shop...but I just dove into the sessions and pretended to know what I was doing. The fact it was on tape meant it was a different approach to prior albums, just fewer chances to go back and change things. You also have more technical limitations in terms of tracks you can record. You can work around all these things but there is a certain psychology that comes with it. I found it tough and felt quite close to abandoning it as I wasn't happy with certain takes and idiosyncrasies which mine and Julie's approach elicited. Julie said something during the recording. 'Everyone is always posting pictures of the great time they are having in the studio. But it's meant to be hard. I have worked on albums where people are really pushed to their limit and these are the best ones'. Julie has a superb back catalogue. Pressure makes diamonds I guess!
One last thing, I called the record 'Keg' in memory of my friend. When we were kids my little brother used called Greg, 'Keg'. People's immediate thought is to think of a beer keg and revelry. I liked this as a title as it sounds throwaway and frivolous and that is the opposite of what I felt whilst going through this period of grieving and recording. All of this being said, it's a lot more catchy and immediate than some of my past work. I also think of a powder keg, something powerful. And Greg was definitely that too.
So that's one side to the album. I have loads more to say about it but that will do for today. Thanks for sharing and listening.
You can listen/order to it here on Bandcamp (below) or on digital services here.
We kicked off our first show in Belfast last Sunday and are playing a few shows over the next while:
June 16th, SLIGO, Furey’s
June 18th CLONAKILTY, De Barra’s, w/ Justin Grounds (Idiot Songs 10 year anniversary) Tickets
June 23rd, GALWAY, Roisin Dubh
June 30th, DUBLIN, The Bello Bar (tickets)
July 4th, DUBLIN, Ruby Sessions
August 3rd, DUNDALK, Spirit Store
Hope to see you soon,
Pearse