Time keeps flying and with each passing day we are getting closer to the album being released. Excited? I can promise you it will be worth the wait. I know I made an album I wanted to make. And much more than that.
In the meantime, let me tell you a bit more about my latest release “The Traveller”. This deeply personal track was released on Bandcamp and Minm music on Thursday February 2nd.
The date is symbolic because it marks 7th anniversary of passing of the late Fergus O’Farrell, frontman of Irish band Interference. Most of you already know Ferg is the reason why I do what I do and how I do it. This track cannot be more connected to him than it actually is.
I wrote it at Folk holidays festival in Namest nad Oslavou, Czech Republic, in August 2018 just as Interference returned not only to the festival but to tour the country after 11 long years. Without Colin Vearncombe aka Black and without Fergus. The two influential musicians passed away within a week of each other. Those who knew and loved Ferg are well aware the inspiration is still there, constantly present. So the song was born.
And when the collaboration offer came along from Maurice Culligan, original keyboard player of the band, I knew there was something really special in store. And I can honestly say the recording session with Maurice was a masterclass, involving hard work but also so much fun.
I love everything about this track. From the initial idea, the message within, the artwork showing the actual piano that used to belong to Ferg, to the way the recording turned out. Evocative piano track with Maurice on lead vocals is a fitting way to celebrate the man we all love dearly. Now my connection to the band is cemented for eternity.
It has received a fantastic radio support and I am still buzzing from the fact it got a spin on Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland’s national broadcaster, courtesy of Fiachna Ó Braonáin, wonderful musician in his own right and a champion of other artists who knows good music when he hears it. I had the honour of having my tribute to Ferg “The Book of Your Life”, co-written with Liam Oragh and featuring Colm Mac Con Iomaire, played there shortly before its release in June 2020. Talk about bucket list.
I am very grateful to Ferg who continues to bring good things along…
Photo and artwork by Alan Tobin
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