Novatone have released their debut single, Spotlight, and play Whelan's of Dublin on 28 March. We asked Anne Marie Walsh of the band the BIG questions . . .
Novatone are Ann Marie are Mark McCorry and having written and performed as an acoustic duo for many years, they played their first full band electric gig last November in Little Whelan’s.
Mark was a member of Kilkenny band Kaydee who signed to EMI Records, released an album and toured in the UK and Ireland. Ann Marie is a radio presenter who also works in audio creation and Arts PR but who began her career as a musician and music booker.
"Writing music and crafting songs is a wonderful thing but in the past I focused too much on the nervousness of performing and not enough about the joy of sharing music I’ve created," says Anne Marie.
"Something clicked in both Mark and I last year - maybe it’s a result of reaching a certain vintage! Music and creativity makes people feel good; it makes you want to sing along at the top of your voice no matter what’s going on in the world.
"With Novatone now, we’re shifting our focus to being brave by releasing our debut single and playing with a band - getting out there, sharing our music and to hell with the fear!"
Niovatone plan a follow up-single this summer and an EP in autumn.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Based in North Co Wexford but raised in Kilkenny. First live gig was playing support to The Frames in the Olympia in Dublin - a baptism of fire but in a good way! Favourite way to relax is watch a good old fashioned murder mystery on a wet Sunday afternoon.
How would you describe your music?
Indie guitar pop with threads of alt folk and electro in there too! We're big on harmonies too!
Who are your musical inspirations?
A really wide range of artists and styles - Cocteau Twins, Andy Shauf, The Sundays, James Blake, Radiohead, Incubus, Bibio, Led Zeppelin, Vince Gill, Keane, Frou Frou, Louis Cole, Joni Mitchell, Fink, kd lang, The National, Everything Everything, QOTSA, Aretha, Paper Kites, Taxi Wars, Innocence Mission, Anita Baker, Little Dragon, James Brown, Loyle Carner and on and on!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Guns N’ Roses in Slane - started pretty big and worked backwards!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Michael Jackson’s Bad - I was torn at the time between it and George Michael's Faith! Then I closely followed it by buying Led Zeppelin 2.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Sack’s Wake Up People is a cracker of a song.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Born with the moon in Cancer, Choose her a name she will answer to, Call her green and the winters cannot fade her, Call her green for the children who've made her, Little green, be a gypsy dancer" - Little Green by Joni Mitchell. Those lyrics are so tender and beautiful.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wow what a difficult question! Depends on the day but you can't beat kd lang and her version of The Hollies’ The Air that I Breathe - what an incredible singer. I've seen her live a few times and she brings that song to a whole other level.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Find our links and socials here and our music is available on Bandcamp and streaming platforms. You can buy tickets for our single launch gig on 28 March at Whelan’s Dublin, with support from Lily, here.
Alan Corr
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