New Dublin indie band The Violet Breaks have released their debut single, Mercury, and play the Bello Bar in Portobello, Dublin on Friday 22 November. We asked the band's singer and guitarist Eoghan O’Neill the BIG questions . . .
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The band’s origins go back to the early 2010s when three of its members - Eoghan, Shay Ferris, and Jonny Byrne - were part of The Obcd, who released two EPs in 2011 and played Electric Picnic.
Over the past two years, The Violet Breaks have split their time between Dublin and Berlin, writing and recording new material. Mercury is released on their own Desk Bureau Records label with their debut album to follow next year.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a night owl and used to love writing lyrics at night, but since having my second child my time is no longer my own. I now look forward to writing lyrics in the pocket of time between putting my kids into their car seats and climbing into mine. I'm a certified rescue scuba diver and am currently inserting that into conversation at any possible opportunity. I'm a director/editor. I've directed, shot and edited all of our band’s videos so far with my company Mystery Club Productions.
How would you describe your music?
A high octane blend of energetic indie/alternative with big choruses and hypnotic hooks.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I'd say NOFX, Beatsteaks, The Shins, The Strokes and Queens of the Stone Age form the core of my musical inspirations.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Revs in The Ambassador, I was probably 15 or 16 at the time.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I had a few questionable first albums bought for me, but the first album I remember buying myself was Muse’s Origin of Symmetry.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I'm loving Favourite by Fontaines D.C. at the minute. It got played for me on Father’s Day so it has a permanent place on my playlist now. I've also found myself gravitating back to The Cardigans quite a bit lately, so probably Lovefool.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I like well-crafted lyrics that build over the duration of the song. Every lyric in Fast Car by Tracy Chapman works so well. Or maybe Eleanor Rigby. Haunting when it comes together in the last verse. One line that always gets me is Louis Armstrong singing 'I hear babies cry, I watch them grow, they'll learn much more than I'll ever know'. I don't know why. It's straightforward but it just packs a punch.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'd probably go with The Decline by NOFX. It's 18 minutes long so it's a good value choice.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Head over to our Instagram page @TheVioletBreaks and say hi. Keep an eye out there for info about upcoming gigs, like our show on the 28 February in Workmans in Dublin. You can also look out for new tracks and videos dropping over the next few months on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and most of the other streaming platforms.
Alan Corr
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