“Danny Carroll is one of the brightest, most precocious talents we have”
Cian Ó Cíobháin, RTE RnaG
“Danny Carroll’s lyrics are some of the smartest, wittiest that the country has to offer”.
Will Murphy, The Thin Air
“This idiosyncratic first outing for Carroll introduces us to an intriguing songwriter we’ll be hoping to hear much more from” – Andrew Lambert, Headstuff
Part of the Dublin music scene for years, Danny Carroll is co-curator of A Litany Of Failures compilation series showcasing independent artists from across Ireland. Having gigged in various projects, he’s opened for kindred spirits such as Jeffrey Lewis and Pavement guitarist Spiral Stairs before the time came to work on his debut solo album. Enlisting the help of Belfast based producer Chris W. Ryan (New Dad, Just Mustard, Robocobra Quartet), the two developed songs with a playful, anything goes approach, with Carroll’s songs likened to softer touchstones of indie rock – Silver Jews, Jonathan Richman, and Lee Hazlewood.
In January 2023, he released his debut solo single ‘Affection’. Hailed as “a compelling re-introduction” (The Last Mixed Tape) and an “idiosyncratic first outing” (Headstuff) the track went on to receive coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 and Hot Press among others.
In September, Danny shared his second solo offering ‘Cheesemonger’, a “wonky indie-folk epic” (Irish News), as part of the compilation A Litany Of Failures: Volume IV, which has already been hailed by the Irish Times as “indispensable listening for any Irish music fan with a modicum of taste”. The track was accompanied by a striking, macabre video made by Iarla McKeon (KhakiKid, Big Sleep) and quickly followed by tours with like-minded counterpart Laurie Shaw and the Scottish singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk. (Video: https://youtu.be/UMkBgUMw-7c)
Ahead of his debut album ‘I Am The Cheese’, to be released on vinyl and digital on 1st March, comes the lush, effervescent single ‘Golden Hour’ (out 1st February). A wholesome offering driven by classical guitar, lapsteel and melodica, the song is one of quiet infatuation and wide-eyed wonder.
Golden Hour video (Dir: Níamh Barry): https://youtu.be/jI723lv1De8
For the video, Danny enlisted the help of acclaimed photographer and videographer Níamh Barry. Playing with Golden Hour’s theme of rose-tinted romance, it stars Fianna Nolan as its deluded protagonist.
Speaking of the new single, Danny comments “I’m quite proud of the arrangement on this track. There’s a lot of experimentation with lapsteel and melodica through a Leslie organ speaker and that creates a suitably floaty feeling in keeping with the sentiment of the song. Lyrically it’s very much about giddy infatuation and maybe the best attempt I’ve made at an unapologetic love song. Bonus points for anyone who spots the Wilco pun in there.”
‘I Am The Cheese’ Tracklisting
- Pep Talk
- Golden Hour
- Pimlico
- Conventions Of Cool
- Match Of The Day
- February
- Affection
- Cheesemonger
- October Afternoons
‘I Am The Cheese’ album will be released 1st March 2024. Pre-save the album on Spotify (https://RecordU.lnk.to/I_Am_The_Cheese), or pre-order on Bandcamp (https://dannycarrollmusic.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-the-cheese).
