“This debut solo album is filled with charmingly well-rounded songs, proving there is more to this Dublin indie musician than meets the eye- 4 Stars” – Lauren Murphy, Irish Times
“A quintessential indie rock showman-turned-millennial songsmith” – The Thin Air
Danny Carroll shares his debut album ‘I Am The Cheese’, out now (March 1st) on vinyl, cassette, and digital.
Carroll says “The album title comes from the 1977 Robert Cormier YA novel, which haunted me from age 12. It’s also just a fun thing to have next to a man’s name, like Nick Lowe – Jesus Of Cool or something.”
Today, Carroll also shares a new video for one of the tracks featured on the album ‘February’. Official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aEwUEf6o5Q
The visualiser for February was made by the artist Anna Frizelle, who also provided the graphic design for the album cover.
Speaking of the collaboration Danny said “Anna’s video has really elevated this song for me. February is my most fried and dare I say it, psychedelic song, and her looping visuals captured that perfectly“. Originally written during the heady days of ‘LOCKDOWN #3’, February sees Danny slowly unravelling, while neighbours blare the soothing sounds of Tiësto beneath him. Eventually he builds a fort in his living room and attempts to “monetise (his) anxieties”, making a wellness podcast for RTÉ. We’ve all been there.
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)
Danny followed up with singles ‘Cheesemonger’, ‘Golden Hour’, and ‘Match of the Day’.
Official Videos:
February https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aEwUEf6o5Q
Cheesemonger https://youtu.be/UMkBgUMw-7c?si=bf9NXlzuMRb9siBf
Golden Hour https://youtu.be/jI723lv1De8?si=x3_wH6nanuJdRQVU
Match of the Day https://youtu.be/KKL2kMLjOxU?si=KG_p20DxP-wXbDDM
‘I Am The Cheese’ album is out now, 1st March 2024. Available on all streaming platforms (https://RecordU.lnk.to/I_Am_The_Cheese), or vinyl/cassette/digital on Bandcamp (https://dannycarrollmusic.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-the-cheese).
“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
