I hate that name. I haaate it. It’s the ultimate “sad-loser-in-his-bedroom-playing-plinky-plonky-music-on-his-keyboard-in-the-dark” stage name. Totally emo. Pity then, that Owen Ashworth’s music is mostly sublime and not at as depressing as the name suggests (only just). If you know his album Etiquette (and if you don’t get it), you’ll know what to expect: melancholy-tinged, synth-led story songs.
This new EP, Town Topic consists of thirteen short instrumental pieces, book-ended by the two vocal tracks that were recorded specifically for the film Stay The Same Never Change by Laurel Nakadate.
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Ice Cream Truck
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Young Shields
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
Excellent stuff. In the murky waters of upcoming releases, I totally missed the fact this was coming out. Word.
“grandmothers pearls” off the first album pretty much sums up CFTPA for me.
at first glance it should be sickeningly twee but is in fact sneakily joyful, hilarious and sad all at the same time.
Good looking out on this, I didn’t realise it was due.
Seems obvious in retrospect to use his music on a soundtrack, it’s perfect for it.
Some of Etiquette’s songs almost have a grainy home-movie feel. And he pushes the story aspect by making the album credits ‘In order of appearance’
But Niall, you say “sad-loser-in-his-bedroom-playing-plinky-plonky-music-on-his-keyboard-in-the-dark” like it’s a bad thing.
Thanks for this
–S
Dont you think considering the type of music this is that the name is ironic? Or that he’s being obvious in a tongue in cheek kind of way? i like the name
saw Owen and his friends live in Belfast’s Black Box. fantastic show.
Dont you think considering the type of music this is that the name is ironic?
Not if you haven’t heard the music.
i quite like the name Niall though.
It’s from the gaelic for “champion”
If that’s even your name.
i quite like the name Niall though.
It’s from the gaelic for “champion”
If that’s even your name.
i quite like my name after 26 years.
owen says he will return in spring to the pebbly shores of not-so-great britain.