BLURT’S BEST KEPT SECRET #15: Preachers Son
May 30, 2011
The luck of the Irish; how to channel Led Zep, Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen; and... the bed Michael Jackson slept in?!?
BY FRED MILLS
As previously announced, the latest selection in our Blurt/Sonicbids "Best Kept Secret" series of new or under-the-radar artists is Preachers Son, from Dublin, Ireland - our 15th BKS, in fact, since commencing the program back in 2008.
Preachers Son comprises multiinstrumentalist/vocalist Brian Hogan (also bassist with Meteor Award-winning band Kila) and drummer/vocalist Emmaline Duffy-Fallon (late of Engine Alley, who also notched considerable acclaim in the early/mid ‘90s). The name refers to Hogan's father, who was a singer and a preacher, incidentally. They got together in 2009 and quickly started picking up press for their hi-nrg, at times atmospheric, at other times rootsy, sound, which the musicians themselves describe as being "like a David Byrne, Scott Walker collaboration, or Queen's greatest hits circa 1980 vs Morrison Hotel. A Led Zeppelin / Leonard Cohen crossover sort of Johnny Cash, Duane Eddie, Bowie doing Talking Heads kinda thing."
It's a truism that one should never trust an artist to describe his or her music, but in this case - wow. Among the key tracks dotting their spectacular Dave Bascombe-mixed debut Love Life and Limb (released last October) are "26 Years," which does indeed suggest the improbably Led Zep/Cohen blend (due in no small part to Hogan's impossibly deep, resonant voice); first single "X For Sandra," which marries Bowie drama to a kind of Exene/John Doe vocal parry-and-thrust vibe; "Should Have Been Gone," a minor-chord, strings-powered country twanger which taps the aforementioned Johnny Cash influence; and "Lipstick," a moody, swampy slice of gothic noir featuring guest vocals from Gavin Friday. And wait'll you hear their raucous, street rumble of a cover of Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man" (Duffy-Fallon takes lead vocal on that one, natch).
The band is reportedly a dynamo in concert, frequently joined on stage by guest musicians including Tabby Callaghan (X-Factor), Kieran Kennedy (Black Velvet Band, Hothouse Flowers) and Shane Fitzsimons (Lisa Hannigan, Damien Rice, Paddy Casey). Here's hoping we can get them over to these shores in the near future.
More recently Preachers Son unveiled a new video for the track "Time of Life." It was directed by BAFTA award winning Neasa Hardiman, art direction by IFTA award winning Anna Rackard, director of photography Daniel Balteanu, edited by Nathan Nugent at Screen Scene and shot at Dublin's Hello Operator studio with an eclectic cast of 30 performers spanning the ages of one to seventy eight years of age. Check it out, below, following our interview with the band. Meanwhile, you can get more details on the band and hear song samples at their official website as well as their MySpace page and Facebook page. They're one of the good ‘uns, trust us.
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BLURT: First of all, Brian, could you tell us a little about your musical background, including your preaching/singing father who I assume was an influence, about KILA, and how things are standing with that band and your brother Lance?
BRIAN HOGAN: I started off with a Doors album, a Queen album, a tennis racket and a mirror. My brother Lance had been in a band for a couple of years, so as soon as I got my first electric guitar.... they put me on bass. I was eleven! We gigged around Dublin and soon after my dad conscripted us into his own outfit. With my father's band, including my brother, cousin and sister, we gigged around Europe at various Christian festivals, which afforded me many experiences, not all good, but experiences never the less!
My first professional gig was with a country band, then, after a brief time in animation and various bands with various successes, I joined Kíla and saw the world. Nine albums later we have taken a well needed break for everyone to get on with their own projects - my brother Lance is involved with several film soundtracks and some of the others have solo projects too.
How about you, Emmaline?
EMMALINE DUFFY-FALLON: I started playing drums when I was 14 years old. Up till then I had been raised on classical music, having studied cello and piano from the age of 7. I was becoming a teenager, I needed to hit things, so drums it was; cellos don't take much of a beating. I joined my first band Engine Alley at fifteen, auditioning in my school uniform! We got signed to U2's label Mother Records and went on two years later to record an album with Steve Lillywhite which was a great experience - plus, he plays a great game of dice. I have played in about six other bands as both a member and as a hired gun.
How did the two of you meet and start to collaborate musically?
BRIAN: I knew about Em, as did every other musician in Ireland - she was the hot drummer from Engine Alley and I was very interested in her. As was every other musician in Ireland! Later we met up in a funk band, The Pussy Assed Mutherfuckers, and engaged in each other's talents. When I was demoing some songs I had been writing, I needed a hot drummer and asked her if she knew any - joke! - so at last we hooked up, and what goes on in the rehearsal room stays in the rehearsal room... except the music of course!
EMMALINE: I met Brian and we clicked.
Since both of you were already familiar to the public when you started, was it easy getting Preachers Son off the ground and landing gigs?
BRIAN: Sometimes it was and other times not. We've started from scratch, but saying that the odd door has opened due to our past experiences, but honestly... like every new band there is the element of paying your dues. With ten phone calls you get one that lands a really great opportunity but that's the business. It's a question of looking for ways to get yourself out there, promote the band, the music and not to get defeated.
The early gigs were small affairs - and still often are - in well established low key venues, acoustic sessions where the crowd are loyal to the venue and that particular night. We're playing bigger venues now, which we prefer, but sometimes just guitar and drums in a very acoustic setting is real sweet. However, we are happiest when it's loud. Recently we were invited over to Canadian Music Week in Toronto and played two really cool rock clubs with our full loud show, but on the other hand we were brought over to Italy for a cool indie festival where we played an acoustic set.
It's really important as a band to be able to easily adapt to the musical environment.
Tell me a little about the album - how it came together and the musical guests.
I'd been writing for years, making various recordings along the way. In 2008 I just decided to take the bull by the horns. I set up shop in the ballroom of my great friend Marina Guinness where several Kíla albums had been recorded. Emmaline and I had been playing together with TPAMF, and with the obvious chemistry I asked her to join the project.
I met Gavin Friday through a mutual friend who was working with him, and when arranging my version of Doctor Millar's song "Lipstick" I thought his voice would add gravelly drama. I loved it when he came on board. Liam Ó Maonlaoí I've known and played with for years with Kíla and there is no one better on Hammond and cool vibes. Kieran Kennedy I've also known for years and he had played some gigs with Preachers Son. His Les Paul, Marshall stack and "Son of a Preacher Man"... a terrible beauty was born!
Song-wise, they're all my babies, but there's something special and visceral about "Should Have Been Gone."
What's the response from the public and the critics been thus far? Any famous fellow Irishmen - Bono, for example - that have signed on as fans?
I think the response to us has been great everywhere, though crowds do differ per country. In Spain and Italy, for example, they let you know if they're into it pretty soon and if they're with you they're with you. In Ireland and England they generally need a couple of pints before they commit emotionally... or move! But then they're the best. In Canada, they really like to rock and roll so they were really responsive. Overall, press-wise it's been very positive, which is great.
Everyone wants a nod from Bono. I've met the chap and he's a dude, but I don't think he knows much about Preachers Son, although he admired my father who interviewed him on his religious radio show many moons before U2 were big. I know many people in the biz over here - some are friends and some ain't! I met Mother Theresa once but she was more into The Carpenters...
How about plans to come to the U.S.?
We've both spent time in the States and love it, it's a very big and diverse place. Earlier this year we teamed up with a guy in LA who is actively shopping our music for placements. It's very exciting but we can't give any more details about that just now. Touring would be great and it's on the cards. We shall see what the gods offer us, U.S.-wise.
What's in store for the next record?
The second album is shaping up just grand and we've loads of material ready with a couple of songs being written as you read this. This album is much more of a collaboration with Em and I. We're also excited to be working with three-time Grammy Award winning engineer, producer and mixer Marc Urselli, who's based in New York City. Work starts in Ireland this June. Also, our most regular guest and guitar hero Tabby Callaghan is very involved in the next album and the three of us have been working the new material together at gigs and in the studio.
I'm assuming both of you are native Dubliners - has being from there been a help, a hindrance or otherwise?
I live in the inner city of Dublin, it's great and vibrant. I suppose Dublin is where most of the music business exists in Ireland and is great for rehearsal rooms, studios, venues etcetera, which makes it easier to pick up gigs or meet other musicians. So definitely, an advantage growing up here, but these days you could probably do just as well anywhere in Ireland. It's a small place.
EMMALINE: I was born in Dublin but now live in the Wicklow countryside. Had too much of city life and felt like I needed fresh air on tap and green grass as far as the eye could see. It suits me and I'm not in any hurry to move to another city anytime soon.
Tell me something about Ireland or Irish bands that our readers might not know.
BRIAN: Well... "The Irish talk in riddles, so as not to commit to having to know about a thing, but to still have the facility to talk expertly about it." But maybe that's not surprising. Bands-wise, people tend to leave famous rock stars alone over here, whether they like it or not! Bono and his famous mates frequent his local bar usually unmolested, some movie stars too. That's why many have come to settle here or take time out.
I believe there is a regular tour set up where you get to see the four poster bed where Michael Jackson stayed for several months a few years back. I've sat on it - it's very bouncy.
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