It’s our pleasure to share another new track from Lankum (previously Lynched), also our Song of the Day. Sergeant William Bailey is taken from Lankum’s new album ‘Between the Earth and Sky’, due for release on Rough Trade Records on October 27th. Here’s what they had to say about the song:
‘Satire in times of unrest is a potent a weapon as any, and this fact was not lost upon the ballad makers of Ireland’s past. Songs poking fun at the British Army recruiting sergeant were common in the Irish tradition and represent a class of anti-war song unto themselves. This one is particularly special in that the site of William Bailey’s recruiting attempts is Dunphy’s corner, just down the road from where the members of Lankum live on Dublin’s northside. In our present era of social and political unrest songs that seek to lampoon and make fun of figures of authority, military or otherwise, are as relevant as ever.’
Lankum, are one of the most talked about bands to come out of Ireland in decades. The Dublin four-piece combine distinctive four-part vocal harmonies with arrangements of uilleann pipes, concertina, accordion, fiddle and guitar. Their repertoire spans humorous Dublin music-hall ditties and street-songs, classic ballads from the Traveller tradition, traditional Irish and American dance tunes, and their own original material. The band comprises of brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch along with Cormac MacDiarmada and Radie Peat. When not on tour Ian lectures in Irish Folklore and musical traditions in University College Dublin, while Cormac and Radie grew up as champion traditional players, on the fiddle and concertina, respectively.
Lankum Tour Dates
Oct 13 Colston Hall, Bristol
Oct 14 Turner Sims, Southampton
Oct 15 Forge, Basingstoke
Oct 17 Adelphi, Hull
Oct 18 Dingwalls, London
Oct 19 Theatr, Mwldan
Oct 20 Pontio, Bangor
Oct 21 Sage, Gateshead
Oct 22 Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Between the Earth & Sky is available to pre-order now including signed double vinyl via Rough Trade: http://rtrecs.co/BTEAS
Photo Credit: Sarah Flynn