+ THE SHOOSBRESSIE ANNOUNCES DEBUT SOLO HEADLINE SHOW AT WHELANSBressie, frontman of one of Ireland’s biggest bands in recent years The Blizzards, has announced details of his first solo headline show performing to an intimate crowd at Whelan’s on Wednesday 29 June. Tickets priced €15.00 inclusive of booking fee are on sale this Friday 13 May at 9am from Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.ie.
The Blizzards were one of Ireland’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll bands, but that didn’t stop their guitarist and singer Niall Breslin deciding in January 2010 that he needed a new challenge.
We had six amazing years together,” he reflects. “The gigs, the fans, the other guys in the band… it was all brilliant, but I’ve always found myself being embraced by all genre directions. Not only as a writer and a performer, but as a producer too; I’m fascinated by every part of the music-making process.” He has managed to combine both musical genres to glorious effect as can be heard on his debut solo single, ‘Can’t Stay Young (Forever)’. A big-chorused synth-pop anthem that screams “Summer!”
Bressie’s growing maturity as a songwriter is underlined by lyrics like, “In the sand I made wagers/Grabbed my chance and crossed that line/I’ve took risks and suffered failures/But 10 years later the stars align”, which reflect on everything that’s happened to him over the past decade of his life.
‘Can’t Stay Young (Forever)’ is the first taster from an as-yet-untitled album that follows in the Summer, and finds Bressie sharing the workload with Jimbo Barry. Together they’ve allied themselves to Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment, whose managerial stable also includes such household names as Jordin Sparks, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. It was Fuller & Co. that arranged for him to hook up in Brighton with Gomez singer, guitar and keys man Tom Gray.
Wanting a particular ‘80s synth sound reminiscent of the days of his youth, Bressie booked into Sphere, the studio where Duran Duran assembled most of their new romantic-era classics. It’s the same meticulous attention to detail you’d get from his production heroes Phil Spector, Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Paul Epworth. “One of the things I promised myself making this album was, ‘no half measures’. What a song needs, it gets – even if it drives your management and record company crazy!”
Something, which he hasn’t done much of these past couple of years, and can’t wait to get back to, is playing live. “I don’t know whether it’s a subconscious pining for home, but even though I put together my band in London most of them are Irish,” Bressie laughs.
“I love doing my mad scientist routine in the studio, but live in front of an audience is still what it’s all about. We’ve got a show coming up in Whelan’s at the end of June which, although the nerves will be jangling, I absolutely can’t wait for!”
Bressie plays Whelans on Wednesday 29 June. Tickets on sale this Friday 13 May at 9am.
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