The Dublin Italian indie-rock band Big Sleep released their debut album was produced by Chris Ryan, following recent singles of melodic indie pop persuasion.
Big Sleep vocalist Rónán Connolly, drummer Matteo Poli, bassist Aidan Gray and guitarist Naiara Clarke LaFuente.
The band are definitely an Irish act on the up and they told us about each song on Holy Show.
Holy Show is an album about transience; the messiness of love, the beauty in impermanence, and the constant transformation that occurs as we stumble through connection, heartbreak, and growth. Named after the Irish expression “a holy show” (a scene of emotional chaos or public embarrassment), each track on the album becomes a chapter in a coming-of-age story grounded in vulnerability and cinematic lyricism.
Track-by-track
1. Don’t You Wanna
The first song that we wrote for the album. Aha Shake Heartbreak era KOL and Elvis Costello & the Attractions found their way in as influences for this one. We picked the album title from the opening lyrics. It’s a song about having a good time while you’re here.
2. Ruminate:
I was listening to bands like Gang of Four, Whitest Boy Alive and LCD Soundsystem when this one came to be. We wanted that clangy guitar sound you can hear at times in songs like ‘You Wanted A Hit’ and ‘Damaged Goods’ for the guitars in ‘Ruminate’.
Originally it was pretty lofi then the energy found its way in there once we tracked live in the studio. Aidan’s bassline holds the song together really nicely and so do Naiara’s vocals.
3. Top of the Pops
‘Living Room’ by Andy Shauf inspired the drum groove of this one. That song ‘I Didn’t Know’ by Skinshape was on our mind too when tracking overdubs. I like how my voice and Naiara’s share the chorus. That choice was crucial to the song resonating with us the way it did. Dedicated to a family member who passed away, a song about turning back the clocks and going back to simpler times.
4. Crude
This one started when Aidan was toying with a bass riff and then we worked it out on acoustic guitars, it was summertime and nice weather out so it was more a reason to avoid staying in the dark of the rehearsal room. Also at the time we were just back from a writing break at the pub so everyone was in good form. It’s one of the brighter, more meandering tracks on the album, probably because of the sunshine and drinks involved in the process. Lyrically it explores innocence in a sometimes unforgiving world.
5. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo:
This started as an acoustic idea with a drum sample then grew legs when we arranged it as a band. Love the shouty bits, always fun to do live and get the crowd to join in.
6. Flatline
This came about as a jam. The instrumentals came together pretty quickly but it took a while to find the right place for the vocals. Highlights of the track for us are Naiara’s guitar in the choruses and Matteo’s drum part in verse two. The lyrics came about from a conversation had with a friend who was dealing with personal struggles at the time.
7. Bruiser
This started as a demo on Ableton. We had a drum groove coming in hot at 200 bpm. The track leans into repetition and momentum. The first thing we thought to do was lay down that singular pulsing MIDI key that remains throughout the track. The call-and-response between my vocals and Naiara’s keeps it interesting for us, and there’s a definite Krautrock feel to this one.
8. Long Time
Naiara’s guitar part in the verses has this mid west emo feel that we all liked. It took some time for us to figure out how to articulate the bridge but Chris has a knack for subtracting parts from the recording and bringing them back at the right time so once he took out the bass and we introduced that siren sound we were into it.
9. Be Alright
Another acoustic idea that came to life when we got together and arranged it in the live room. Love Naiara’s vocal lilt in verse two and the way the whole band enters after the first chorus. ‘Blood Bank’ by Bon Iver was probably an influence for this one in the overdub and mixing phase. The lyrics and the core of the song were written in a few minutes, rooted in the search for gratitude in the ordinary.
10. Old Friend
For this one we all swapped instruments and I played the mandolin for the first time. There were Randy Newman impressions knocking around the first couple times we jammed it which actually helped us see something in the song. We added vocal overdubs during mixing sessions later on. Bon Iver’s debut album and ‘Hammond Song’ by The Roches were on our minds when we made that choice. Proud of the lyrics on this one. Around the time of making this album some friends of ours passed away so this one is an ode to them and a reminder to appreciate the ones that are still around.
Big Sleep – Irish Tour – April / May 2026
Apr 15 – Wavelength, Cork
Apr 16 – Dolan’s Upstairs, Limerick
Apr 17 – Mike The Pies, Listowel
Apr 24 – Cleere’s, Kilkenny
Apr 25 – Connolly’s of Leap, Leap
May 28 – Róisín Dubh, Galway
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.
