Irish brothers Jon and Kieran O’Connell have released their highly anticipated follow-up to the pair’s much-loved debut single, ‘Songbird,’ and I think it’s fair to say it was well worth the wait! ‘Down On The Quays’ is an instant hit. A folky, soft-rock little number that showcases the duo’s masterful songwriting ability, intelligent lyrical storytelling and all-round musical growth. Described by the band as “a reflection on those times when your darker angels come calling,” ‘Down On The Quays’ is a beautifully constructed tune that, along with ‘Songbird,’ just has us dreaming of their forthcoming debut album. The sweet, intricate vocal harmonies on display from the two also deserve a special shout-out! Best known for their acclaimed work with the folk group The Fiddle Case, Jon and Kieran O’Connell are now forging their own path in the game – and we can’t wait to hear what they do next.
‘Down On The Quays’ is a beautifully moody and folky hit from the immensely talented O’Connell brothers.
INDIE TOP 39
What does the song mean to you?
This song is about disconnection; and suddenly you find yourself in a strange place, at an ungodly hour, and you see yourself as in an unreleased David Lynch movie. You wonder what the hell you can do about it, and if you can get out of it at all.
Who do you hope the song resonates with the most?
Hopefully this song will resonate with anyone who has ever ended up down on the quays. Most people make it back from there, but some end up staying.
Tell us about your creative process and how the song came to be?
The creative process for us is not a one-size-fits-all. We’ve arrived at a finished song by many different paths. In this case, I had a voice memo on my phone with a simple melody and a basic lyrical outline scrawled on a scrap of paper; but mainly the concept for being ‘Down On The Quays’ was the creative driver for this song. As the lyrics and music are fleshed out, the song as it is now begins to emerge, and the idea for writing yourself into a movie story line was a kapow! moment, and when that happens usually you know you are onto something.
What would your life be like without music?
Life without music would not be life at all. Music is art, and art is what keeps humans just sane enough to live.
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This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.
