The Patsys bring a small idea all the way to a new album with tales from the world of rock ’n roll
Keith Tunstead, Liam Fitzgerald, Brian Grant, Emmet Jones and Dara Eaton
FROM an idea that started off small in Dara Eaton’s imagination comes an epic album with tales from the world of rock ’n roll!
Dara and the Patsys have just released a new album called , about a fictionalised band of the same name. Using the same concept as David Bowie did with his from Mars LP, Dara uses the fictionalised world of Jack and his band to write about the world.
“There is a vague storyline running through it, but really, it’s about me and the people I know. The songs are open to interpretation – it’s up to the listener as to what they think they’re about,” said Dara. The Patsys are Dara on lead vocals and guitar, Keith Tunstead on bass, who also produced the album, Emmet Jones on keyboards, Liam Fitzgerald on drums and Brian Grant on percussion and backing vocals. Their friend Jack Lyons is the man behind the lens, taking their photos and steering their social media. That’s an impressive line-up of musicians already, but Dara also brought in players to help out on particular tracks. Thanks to Majella Swan and her Carlow School of Music, a brass section of Oran O’Neill, Tom Duffy and Erinn Lennon was roped in to play on five of the LP’s ten songs. “We recorded their pieces in St Mary’s Church, Crettyard. I’m so grateful that we were allowed to do that, and to the brass section for playing with us,” continued Dara. The impressive cast of musicians and contributors have all helped to create its big, wide sound, including the longest track, . “We’re very proud of this song, it includes a Pink Floydesque solo and guests vocalists. It was one of those songs that kept getting bigger and bigger. I’m very proud of it,” he said. Dara has just begun studying in BIMM Music Institute in Dublin, where he finds inspiration being surrounded by creative people on a daily basis. Before , Dara brought out two albums, but this is the one that he’s most proud of.
“This is the biggest record in scope, hands down. It’s the one I’m most proud of. It’s really down to the collaborators and contributors, they’ve all made it into what it is and I’m so proud of it,” concluded Dara. Hard copies of the album should be in shops in Carlow town soon. In the meantime, is available to download on all major music platforms.
