McMahon
McMahon has been whipping up a storm in his native Ireland with his debut single Deep Down, and now he is heading to the UK.
We caught up with the singer/songwriter to chat about the new single, the upcoming debut album Half Blind and what lies ahead.
- You are about to release your debut single Deep Down, so what can we expect from this new track?
It is a fast and up-tempo song, and it has a rockabilly and jazz feel to it. I have been getting good reviews back from people and everybody seems to like it, I am doing a lot of interviews at the moment. So people do seem to like the song.
- That leads into my next question the song is incredibly vibrant, and it mixes pop, blues acoustic elements so would you sum up the sound of this debut single as you introduce yourself to us?
I would say that the sound is new; I think that it is a new idea with the band and the way that it has been produced.
The sound is really uplifting, and the words really create a good story. It is catchy, and I seem to be hearing it everywhere now.
- The track has already topped the Irish iTunes chart so how have you found the response to the track in Ireland and now over here?
When I saw that it was number one I just couldn’t believe it, it was just massive. Everywhere in England, BBC, radio and all the magazines everybody is attracted to the EP. I am just so happy about that as it makes me feel that it was all worthwhile.
- Deep Down, is the first track to be taken from the debut album Half Blind so how does this track introduce us to the rest of the record?
I said that we would open it with a fast and up-tempo song so that people would be attracted that way - it seems to be working at the moment.
The second song that we are going to release is called Your Last Song; it is a sad song but an inspiring song about a break up - which I have gone through myself, and I am sure that everyone has.
Our third single will be Fire, that is more of a rockier track, and we think that will do very well.
- I gave the album a listen this morning and there is a very personal feel to this record. So is that what you were looking to achieve as you were setting out to make this record? And how easy is it to bear your soul?
For me to bear my soul is important to me as in this day and age there are not many that do that. I hope people will listen to all the words that I say as, for me, the words are the most important point; I never write a word, unless I am really happy with it.
Even though it is personal I don’t think it shows weakness, I think that it shows strength in being able to do that and express your emotions.
I feel that there is a rollercoaster of emotions on the album of happy and sad and uplifting and catchy music that seems to appeal from young people all the way to elderly people. So I am really pleased by that.
- As I said earlier this debut track has a wide range of sounds in it so is this something that we are going to see throughout the whole album?
Certainly. Everybody who listens to the album seems to have a different favourite song, which is really good.
Everyone seems to prefer a different one, and I think that that is why the genre is so spread out. Even though they are all different you still know that it is the same sound.
- Tom Knott is on board as producer so how did that collaboration come about?
Terry McCabe is the owner of All In Recordings, and he introduced me to Tom, and we sat down and had a chat together.
We work really well together and found my sound, and some extremely talented people came on board to work with us. Over a year and a half, we were back and forth creating music together. We got on really well.
- He has worked with the likes of The Courteneers and Paul Weller so how did you find working with him? And what did that experience bring to this record?
It was my first time ever making an album or doing anything like this, and I found it so interesting. I got on so well with Tom; if I hadn’t have got on with him, then the sound wouldn’t be there.
We talked about everything, and we walked through every step of the album; we were at it for hours, days and weeks.
I love doing to create the sound, to pick the vocal the instruments; it was just amazing. Thanks to Tom we got on great, and we really did work well together.
- There is some wonderful instrumentation on this album so did you work with live musicians? How was that experience?
We used live musicians throughout the entire album. Tom played on it; I played on it and we would make changes until we got the sound that we were looking for.
I found the whole process captivating, and I am hooked on it. I have a band from London, and they are so talented. There are so many amazing and talented people, and I can’t wait to go and play with them again; it is something that I just love to do.
- You said earlier that is the first time that you have made record or done anything like this, but you seem to have had a fantastic experience?
It has been incredible. It has been a life-changing experience. I have my album in my hand and to see that it is real is really worth-while.
I am really proud of it, and I am already heading up the second album road. It is something that I just enjoy doing, and it is going great for me.
- You were involved in a very bad car crash back in 2007, and after you recovered you started to pursue a music career - which you weren't doing before - so what drew you to music? Is it something that you have always wanted to do?
I always liked music since I was young - I use to watch Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music and Annie, I just love them. But I didn’t learn to play the guitar until I was nineteen.
I use to just do it for fun and write a few songs and play at parties, but I never took it too seriously. Before the accident, I was playing some gigs for a while, and I built up a repertoire. Then I got the record deal and since then it has just been all go.
It is not easy as you need to be fit and healthy and on your feet, all the time as there is a lot of travelling, but it is something that I am looking forward to pursuing.
- How much would say that music was something that pulled you through what was a very difficult time for yourself?
Definitely. I broke with my fiancé and I had a lot of hard times, so to be able to express myself through the words was great. And now that truth does seem to be appealing to everybody.
- You signed with All In Recordings after a chance meeting with Terry McCabe so what was it about this label that drew you? And how have you found working with them?
What drew me to working with them was their friendship. They have been nothing but supportive in getting behind me and financing me.
So many people I know can only dream that anybody would be that nice to them. I am going to make it worth their while, and we are working well together. They have been nothing but good, kind and patient with me, so I am really happy with that.
- As you said earlier you have been a music fan your whole life so which bands and artists were you listening to as you were growing up? And who have you been majorly influenced by?
First of all, Jim Croce, to me, he is one of the greatest song-writers ever. He died when he was thirty, and you would think that that man was in his sixties. The words that he said use to blow me away. I love the Beatles; Paul McCartney, in particular, as I just love his work.
I also like Eminem; I would really put him on the same level as those other guys. What he does is just amazing. And then musicals such as like Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
I have seen Colm T. Wilkinson, and that man is a vocalist and a half - he can hold a note for a minute. He expresses himself and the words that he says, to me, is just amazing. When I see a performance like that it just really brings it home why I love music so much.
- Finally, what is next for you going through the rest of the year? Are we going to be seeing you on the road?
I have got a gig in The Troubadour in London; I have got two gigs in London. I also have five gigs here in Ireland; I am gigging every week now.
Deep Down is out now. Half Blind is released 9th September.