Hot Press are delighted to announce the release of the latest issue, an Irish Music Month special, that features an exclusive piece written specifically for Hot Press by The Edge, ahead of the release of U2’s new album of re-interpretations Songs Of Surrender.
The trail-blazing musician offers a fascinating glimpse into his creative life in a major Hot Press special – coinciding with the band’s new album, as well as a Disney+ docu-special; a new Sarajevo documentary, Kiss The Future, in which they’re featured; and news of the band’s starring role in the launch of a spectacular venue in Las Vegas.
In the piece, the guitarist – and producer of Songs Of Surrender – writes passionately about the inspiration behind the upcoming album, and the process of re-imagining some of U2’s most beloved tracks:
“I think ‘Stories For Boys’ is probably the most surprising because that song in its early form was like full on, post punk energy… A song written by boys about their interests and the place they find themselves in… This is completely reimagined and in fact, it’s me singing which is quite unusual… The lyric is a complete rewrite and we wanted to write it about those boys but from the perspective of now, our perspective…”
“It is an amazing exercise for any band to revisit their catalogue in this way,” said Hot Press editor Niall Stokes. “Of course, for many artists, there is the fear of alienating fans – or at least of messing with their memories. But Bob Dylan has shown definitively that people who love music, and who are interested in an artist, are open to different ways of looking at, at entering into and interpreting – or re-interpreting – songs. It’s great to get a sense from The Edge of the thinking behind the record, and how it fits into the U2 canon generally.
“Having the piece by The Edge as the cover story on our Irish Music Month special feels especially appropriate,” he added. “U2 have continually set new standards in contemporary music, and shown just how high Irish artists can aspire, in creative terms but also in winning the hearts and minds of fans all over the world. That is the benchmark for all of the brilliant new artists Ireland is producing across all genres and styles right now – and they are responding in style. Ireland is a hotbed of extraordinary and very often brilliant songwriting and music. Long may it continue.”
ALSO IN THIS BUMPER EDITION OF HOT PRESS
Meanwhile, back for its keenly awaited second outing, Irish Music Month again sees Hot Press partner with independent radio stations to support homegrown artists! We give the full lowdown on the hugely exciting project in an in-depth, 16 page feature, and get the views of performers such as Aimée, Sorcha Richardson and Tebi Rex, among key industry figures. We also feature all 100 artists chosen by the 25 IBI stations participating in A New Local hero.
Elsewhere in the issue, we highlight some of the best venues around the country in our extensive Venue Special, you’ll find interviews with Sleaford Mods, Ailbhe Reddy, Nell Mescal, David Kitt, Nicola Tallant, and the stars of Rye Lane.
We also revisit Pink Floyd‘s The Dark Side Of The Moon, on what would have been the mega-selling album’s 50th anniversary…
“This is a really remarkable piece by Will Russell,” Niall Stokes said. “Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most enduring and influential albums in the history of rock music, as well as one of the biggest-selling of all time. The trip that Will takes – both literally as he walks from Battersea, in London to Cambridge and historically, going back in time to the late ‘60s and early ‘70s when the album was forged – is an inspiring and hugely informative one. It is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary music.”
And that’s just a taste of what to expect! There’s much more to look forward to in the new issue of Hot Press – out now. Please direct fans and readers here, if they want to secure a copy: shop.hotpress.com.
