Brand new Warner Music signing Outsider recently released his first single Míol Mór Mara through the label’s W Songs.
The song is featured in the FIFA 18 soundtrack, and comprises of lyricism in both English and Gaeilge, which marks the first time ever that the Irish language has been introduced into mainstream video gaming.
The track finds the Irish singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and punk poet incorporating driving guitar and bold thoughtful vocals, reminiscent of the likes of Bruce Springsteen or The War On Drugs. Featuring lyricism in both English and Gaeilge, which come from his Irish heritage, the Dublin singer also pulls together orchestral strings and a punk-influenced rhythm on the new single.
Outsider takes his name from the song by the Ramones and Colin Wilson’s controversial book The Outsider. His songwriting is deeply thoughtful and enticingly intelligent, matched by rich Americana-tinged guitar music, and is set to captivate hearts and minds across the globe.
Check out the new single below!
We managed to catch up with the singer as he talks about the latest single and more!
How has the release of Míol Mór Mara gone so far?
Incredible reaction so far. Lots of people getting in touch praising the EP and asking to talk.
Tell us about the single
Míol mór mara is the single. I wrote it when I lived by the ocean. At the time I had been heartbroken for a while. Had left a life behind. I started working with a child who has Down Syndrome and he was the coolest kid. It’s a long story but basically he would lift my mood every morning through his sheer enthusiasm for life. That’s the power that drive Míol mor Mara, it’s epic in its emotional depth. For this EP I changed how I write songs, I let my subconscious work with free reign. I think you could listen to Míol mór a thousand times and find something intriguing everytime.
Tell us something about the track no one knows?
There’s a symphony of backwards guitars on that track that is only clear in very good speakers. My bloody Valentine level stuff, but I didn’t have the ¼ million euros and 2 years needed to mix a shoegaze track.
How pleased are you to be featured on Fifa 18, is this game you have played a lot?
Very pleased, it’s an incredible soundtrack and has some of my favourite bands on it.
If you could work with any artist or band on a new song, who would it be and why?
I can tell you who I plan on working with, I have a song called ‘Ghost as king of the knives’ that I think Bon Iver would be very interested in, and maybe Grimes to song on a post punk track, I have easily the bass line of the century in the works. I’ll always be solo and multi-instrumentalist so I like the idea of collaboration.
Will you be touring at all this year?
Yes, details pending.
What was your favourite moment while recording the single?
Finishing it, I do everything with one other guy, two guys mixing huge amount of tracking is no picnic, but the synth sound was a moment to behold. I know the backwards guitars were gonna have to be blended.
What does it feel like being part of Warner Music?
Great, I work with a very cool crew, they make my work very enjoyable and offer me incredible support. Good people. Some people in Ireland told me not to use Irish in my songs, as it would alienate a wider audience. Warner were immediately on board with using Irish names and lyrics. I feel very supported.
What’s the alternative music scene like in Dublin?
It’s busy, very busy, check out a band called Wyvern lingo ‘I love you, Sadie’, these girls sound Irish. It’s a diverse scene, lots of different styles. Pleasure Beach, they are great, but there’s loads, All Tvvins, James Vincent McMorrow, Hozier, Girl band, to name a few, the Standard in Dublin is as good if not better than anywhere in the world. It’s a busy place.