Based in Manchester but hailing from a tiny distant Island on Ireland’sWild Atlantic Way is not the typical rock n’ roll backstory for former shepherd and ‘O’Neill Bros’ frontman, Dom O’Neill.
And yet growing up at the crossroads between America and Britain has provided an ideal melting pot of musical sounds, combining the Rock grit of Bruce Springsteen, the heavy Blues of Eric Clapton and the Jazz flavours of John Mayer.
The versatilely of O’Neill Bros playing both electric and acoustic styles means they have been labelled everything from Soul to Folk to Indie but their true sound is best described as Wild Atlantic Rock.
About latest EP Flight of the Earls
From the rugged glens of Wild Atlantic Way Ireland, to the gritty English streets of Manchester….
Flight of the Earls is a modern homage to the historical event that O’Neill Bros experienced in a contemporary fashion both in life and in music, departing from their original acoustic singer/songwriter style to a heavier electric sound influenced by Manchester where they are based.
Deriving from the crossroads between the US and Britain the album takes influence from both music nation giants combining flavours of Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer and Bob Dylan with Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin as well as domestic artists such as Nik Pollock to create a distinguishing Wild Atlantic Rock sound. Check out latest music video for Remember The Name below!
We caught up with Dom as he talked about his latest EP and more!
So how has the release of your EP Flight of the Earls gone down so far?
So far, the response has been really good. There’s been a buzz in the air back in my home town in County Donegal, Ireland. It’s normally known as the forgotten county so anybody trying to put them on the map is celebrated somewhat. In Manchester where we’re based, we were overwhelmed with the response. It was our first big release and people from all corners of the UK turned up to the launch including someone from Northern France no less! I think the EP has allowed us to firmly put our foot in the door in the Manchester music seen and its culminated in being asked to play Harwoodstock Festival supporting Raven Eye, this year which we are really looking forward to!
What’s your favourite song on this EP?
That’s a tough one as I like each one for different reasons. But if I had to pick one it would be ‘Break the Mould’. I wrote it some years ago and it was just one of those songs that wrote itself almost. After messing around with that simple minor 7th groove all the lyrics arrived instantaneously….rarely songs I’m happy with are written that quickly so it felt quite special. When I took it to the band they just ran with it adding their ideas whether it be some crazy bass run, screaming guitar solo or Keith Moon style drums. This song allows everyone to basically show off a little which is pretty cool especially in a live setting.
Can you tell us something about the EP no one else know?
‘Lost Your Way Home’ was written about losing a friend or someone I was close to who made it in the music industry. He sold numerous number one Pop singles in the UK in the early 2000s….I’ll say no more.
But fame got to his head unfortunately and he changed from a musically supportive down to earth guy, to a guy obsessed with himself and led astray by fame and his entourage. The song is basically narrating a story of fame’s influence to change someone and I just really wanted to manifest the sentiment that when you’re successful, it’s your duty to help those who aren’t as fortunate. And not just for money or increased fame but simply on a grassroots basis.
What was your favourite moment making the EP?
Two moments for me stand out. Watching session man Javon Aziz do his guitar solo which I videoed during the recording was brilliant. I think everyone watching that especially on ‘Break the Mould’ declared a unanimous celebratory ‘YES MATE!’ or ‘Gedin there fella!’ as soon as he finished playing. And I think the final mix of the EP too was a special moment. We had worked really hard on the tracks with numerous edits and countless hours in the studio. I think my session percussionist on the record Sam O’Reilly, was overwhelmed at times passed out on the studio floor with tiredness!
But after a lot of work, listening to the tracks together, we were all generally silent and just nodded looking at each other with a stupid face that said, ‘That’s not bad’. There’s always things that can be improved but overall, we were delighted with the results. If I could work with Matt McClenan our sound engineer again, I would do, he did a great job!
If you could work with a band on a new single. who would it be and why?
If I was to record a new single my dream band at the moment would ‘The War on Drugs’. I got into them recently with their latest album and I just loved the dynamics and almost orchestrated rock movements. The tracks are produced superbly with multilayered guitars, keys and warm synths almost like classical pieces, in length too. But it is their approach to dynamics which I love the most. They’re able to take the simplicity of 4 chords and through extreme dynamics and layered motifs create a 6,7 and 8-minute tracks that takes you on a journey. I think Adam Granduciel’s Dylan-esque influence also speaks a lot to me too. I’d love to write a song in their style but the quality of simplicity is incredibly hard to achieve I think.
What do you all get up to in your spare time?
I’m a keen cook. When I’m not writing I find cooking quite therapeutic and I like to experiment with recipes, takes the stress of thinking. Up until recently, when I was back home my hobby was to look after rare breed chickens. It sounds crazy but they are by far my favourite animal. I had chickens with feather afros and chickens with wool for feathers! In short, they were non-stop entertainment!
So what’s the alternative scene like in Ireland at the moment?
Well Donegal for such an isolated area commands some quality musicians and artists such as ‘Enya’, ‘Clannad’ and ‘Goats Don’t Shave’. Donegal artists have had a big influence on the Ireland’s alternative scene. There’s a lively music circuit that exists primarily in bars and its Donegal artists who have making waves here. Local artists like Nik Pollack and his band Mojo Gogo were famous in Ireland for making a pub feel like a stadium gig, the way they performed. They had success too making it to number 2 on the Irish single charts. More recently another artist Cara Ward has been regularly headlining prestigious venue Whelans in Dublin. Beyond doubt the Irish pub music scene is alive for nurturing new alternative musicians. And the Irish do know how to party too, no music starts until 11pm earliest! I suppose it gives time for the audience to warm up with a few drinks before the party really kicks off. Since the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ launch a tourism initiative, a driving route stretching from Cork to Donegal the Irish alternative scene is now receiving a global audience.