The psych/krautrock band features Mykle Oliver Smith, Joe Armitage, Elaine Malone (Mantua), Sara Leslie and Mark Waldron-Hyden.
The Cork/Lisbon band pôt-pot are inspired by psych and krautrock bands like Neu!, CAN, Spacemen 3 and the motorik beats and drones of those forebearers, and bring psych-rock sounds with harmonium drones and vocal harmonies.
The band initially started as a solo project of Mark Waldron-Hyden before the rest of the members joined after meeting in Lisbon. A debut EP Ode to A followed on Blindhead Recordings in May 2023 for which all songs featured only contain the note A, a love letter to 440hz.
The band’s debut album Warsaw 480km is to be released on September 19th through LA label felte and ‘WRSW’ is the single released this week, featuring Lou Reed-esque vocals from Waldron-Hyden, supported by Malone’s backing.
“‘WRSW’ is a chronicle of being driven in a very nice car to collect and deliver my father’s ashes, and how that odd comfort in such an awful situation jarred me; at one point the driver told me about a journey he’d taken from Ireland to Poland, where after days of driving, in the dead of night, a single road sign appeared, reading ‘WARSAW 480 KM’. I identified with that image of blackness punctuated suddenly by some faraway but tangible relief.” Musically, the song balances tight construction with a casual air; lyrically, it is diffuse and impressionistic, centred on the mantra, “How / Can we get there / Can we get there?”
Mark Waldron-Hyden
| ‘Warsaw 480km’ track list: 01. 132 Spring St 02. 22° Halo 03. Sextape 04. WRSW 05. Fake Eyes 06. I AM! 07. Can’t Handle It 08. The Lights Are On 09. Hot Scene 10. Change Your Life |
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, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
