Thursday brings the release of the new single from an Irish newcomer to the music scene – at least in the format of this current project. Formed by singer, songwriter and producer David Marron (formerly of the bands Sanzkrit and Somefinn), Friendmaker has grown into a five-piece outfit. Based in County Monaghan (near to the northern Irish border), Marron’s music is rounded out thanks to contributions by his now-steady bandmates Maolíosa McMahon (vocals and keys), Paul Finn (guitar and vocals), Paul Markey (bass) and Fintan Marron (drums).
Not long after the band released their debut single ‘You, Me and Everything Else’, (it came out in March), already the band is back with a shining rock tune you will love – entitled ‘Weird’, this is the second taster of their forthcoming debut album, expected to be released next year (the band are gradually recording it). It’s fun, it has drive, it’s catchy, the performance and production are excellent. PLUS there’s a B-side called ‘Leaky Mick and Vinny P the Talker’. What a name!
Best known on the local music scene, Friendmaker’s endearing storytelling approach and insightful lyrics blend with a rich soundtrack of carefully crafted folk-tinged indie rock.
“Lyrically, the song searches for meaning in a recurring dream, examining the semi-consciousness experienced between waking and sleeping, specifically the changeover between abstraction and lucidity and asks why the events of a dream often stay with us beyond slumber, dictating our conscious mood as if rooted in reality? Do we pay enough attention to the foreshadowing presented in our recurring dreams? And can we afford to ignore a subconscious that consistently throws up a repeated story line?” says David Marron.
“I wanted the viewer to feel uneasy, almost frustrated by not seeing the whole picture. As close as I could get to creating that confused dreamlike experience.”
The accompanying video, also created by Marron, takes its cues from the artwork of the De Stijl movement. Like the works of Mondrian and Van Doesburg, the video attempts to distill its subject matter to the very simplest form. The minimalist primary colours of DeStijl are gone. Refined further to a monochromatic palette that basks in its own absurdity. A fragmented surrealism unfolds to the song’s rhythmic patterns attempting to smother the viewer in what could and should be a straight forward performance video. A suffocating truncation of half shots and obscured movements creates any perceptual discomfort.
After Marron’s previous group Sanzkrit disbanded, Marron worked in various roles in the music field – playing guitar in a few bands, DJing, doing graphic design for bands and running an Arts Festival. Even though he was keeping busy in creative fields, he felt he was still ignoring a big and important part of himself. He notes, “Music was solely personal therapy for dealing with difficulty. It wasn’t something I really felt like sharing at that time.”
On April 21st, ‘Weird’ will be released via the band’s own imprint House of Strange Vinyl. It can be ordered at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/friendmaker/weird
CREDITS
Written by David Marron
David Marron – vocals, guitar
Maolíosa McMahon – vocals, keyboards
Paul Finn – guitar, vocals
Paul Markey – bass
Fintan Marron – drums
Recorded and produced by David Marron at Samhlaíocht Studio, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.
Additional recording, production and mixing by Darren Clarke
Mastering by Peter Montgomery
Video & Artwork by David Marron
Everything Friendmaker
Website | Facebook | Bandccamp | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | TikTok |
Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
