The Late David Turpin – ‘Garland’
David Turpin’s idiosyncratic theatrical musical stylings might not be to everyone’s taste, and in truth it’s not been to my own in the past. However, Turpin has displayed an auteur’s style over two albums that suggests he’s always one to consider or reconsider.
Lately, Turpin’s been collaborating with a disparate cast of Irish musicians that have suggested an artist embracing a sound beyond his own: Gavin Glass, Cora Venus Lunny, Cathy Davey and electronic producer Hunter-Gatherer amongst others. You can hear the latter two on ‘Deer Trail’ below.
Turpin will release his new Stephen Shannon co-produced album We Belong Dead next week which was inspired by a “28 second near-death experience” and inspired by “20th-century choral pieces, vintage disco, trap music, Walt Disney scores pre-1967 and William Golding’s novel The Inheritors“. You may have already heard ‘The Hotel’ at Harmless Noise or ‘A Warning To The Curious’ on Soundcloud.
‘Garland’, the album’s eighth of 17 tracks, has an electro veneer that could be described as M83-esque complete with a star-aimed vocal line and rushing synthesizers that is as close to modern electronic pop that Turpin has come to date.
The Late David Turpin plays his new album in full at Smock Alley this Sunday September 15th for the Fringe Festival. Niamh Farrell from Ham Sandwich, Hunter-Gatherer and Karl Knuttel also feature. Full info.
Hey, before you go...
Nialler9 has been covering new music, new artists and gigs for the last 19 years. If you like the article you just read, and want us to publish more just like it, please consider supporting us on Patreon.
What you get as thanks in return...
- A weekly Spotify playlist only for patrons.
- Access to our private Nialler9 Discord community.
- Ad-free and bonus podcast episodes.
- Guestlist & discounts to Nialler9 & Lumo Club events.
- Themed playlists only for subscribers.
Your support enables us to continue to publish articles like this one, make podcasts and provide recommendations and news to our readers, and be a key part of the music community in Ireland and abroad.
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.