A LAZAROUS SOUL
A LAZAROUS SOUL
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THE INSTRUCTIONS & THE HEDGE SCHOOLS
While Brian Brannigan, the driving force behind Dublin’s A Lazarus Soul, has built a reputation for being one of Ireland’s finest lyrical commentators, combining the heartbreaking details of lives lived in the margins with warmth and a very particular gallows humour (he was famously quoted in one interview as saying, “In the fields where we played you used to find burnt-out cars. Now you find dead bodies.”), what really marks him out from his contemporaries is his restless stylistic wanderlust and knack for the most beautiful and surprising melodies.
They released his understated debut, the “alazarussoulrecord” in 2001 and spent the following years sharing the stage with the likes of Gallon Drunk, Ex-Girl, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Fall, Grandmaster Flash, Schneider TM, Director, Dave Couse, Amusement Parks on Fire, The Hold Steady, CSS, Fun Loving Criminals & The Third Eye Foundation.
Having recruited the Future Kings of Spain into the line-up, ALS released “Graveyard of Burnt Out Cars” in 2007 to a very warm reception. The debut single “Icon” adorned the airwaves and its accompanying video, directed by Shimmy Marcus (Headrush, Aidan Walsh, Master of the Universe) , featuring footage from the late Paddy Jolly, enjoyed heavy rotation on TV3 & Propeller TV. The second single “The Day I Disappeared”, with its depiction of Martin Cahill on the cover, caused a storm with Sinn Fein TD, Dessie Ellis. He ironically slammed it in the media, misinterpreting it as a glorification of gangland violence. The album was voted in the top 200 Irish album of all time by Hot Press readers. Following the albums underground success, the band was invited to play a 2FM session, the Trinity Ball, HWCH 06/ 08 & Brannigan co-hosted music documentaries on Today FM including an overview of the Irish underground scene and a Factory Records night.
In 2011 ALS released “Through a Window in the Sunshine Room” to exceptional reviews including 5/5 in Hot Press & 8/10. Currently working on a fourth album with a new line up, featuring Anton Hegarty (Future Kings of Spain), Julie Bienvenu (Lines Drawing Circles/ Time the Revelator) and Joe Chester (The Waterboys/ 10 Speed Racer), 2012 has been notable for a low key return to live performance for A Lazarus Soul after a three year sabbatical, with performances at local art gallery, The Joinery and a short, if triumphant set at HWCH, 2013 should see A Lazarus Soul return to their rightful place as one of Ireland’s most essential and treasured artists.
“A post-apocalyptic, Dublin-bedsit-based Pet Shop Boys” Hotpress Magazine
“Truly one of Dublin’s best kept secrets, a lazarus soul combine beautiful, buoyant melodies with haunting lyrics and depictions”. Zeitgeist
“Fine songs not a million miles from John Cale’s solo work”. Irish Times
“Through A Window… is an important record, as Brannigan distills the anger of Whipping Boy, The The and Fatima Mansions with the musical sensibility of Aphex Twin or UNKLE. John Walshe – state.ie
THE INSTRUCTIONS:
The Instructions are Eileen Gogan, Dez Foley, Michael Stanley (Richer than Astronauts and Niall McCormack (Jubilee Allstars)
The Instructions’ Facebook page
THE HEDGE SCHOOLS:
“Even in the days of Penal Law, they were the places where children were taught, musicians played and poetry was read, but you had to go looking for them. This album is similar in that it’s not in your face, I’m quite happy for people just to go out and find it.”
The beautifully understated confection, Never Leave Anywhere, comprises 12 tracks of heart-wrenching melancholy.