At the end of last year, we were treated to Dublin-based Sun Collective‘s EP MOVE \\ R E M O V E. Some music just resonates on a much deeper level, and for Bob Fish who reviewed that EP, it was like a pebble hitting flat water. From his opening paragraph he wanted to let us all know:
There are moments when music just hits you and you’re forced to accept it, there simply is no other choice. Such is the case with Move\\Remove by Sun Collective. Discovering this EP is like discovering you actually breathe. You simply can’t live without it. Infecting your every pore it takes hold and won’t let go. You have been captured in its thrall.
Today, we have the pleasure of sharing Wild, the new single from Sun Collective, ahead of its release this Thursday (March 25th 2021). It features contributions from renowned vocalist Lisa Hannigan & Patrick O’Laoghaire of I Have a Tribe. It was produced by Ross Turner (Lisa Hannigan, Villagers), recorded by Ber Quinn (John Grant, Divine Comedy), and the accompanying film, which you can watch below, is by award-winning director/writer and VFX specialist, Kevin Cahill (VFX – Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Alice in Wonderland).
As I’m sat here writing this I know that the blackthorn flower is out in bloom, I can smell spring in the air and the arrival of ‘Wild’ is teasing me to take a much longer walk along the hedgerows this afternoon…I don’t know the story behind why frontman Caimin Gilmore chose the name Sun Collective but that ray of light never seems to falter in their output. If anything, it glows all the brighter here, aided by the gorgeous warm vocals of Lisa Hannigan which contrast perfectly to Gilmore’s own. Patrick O’Laoghaire’s piano delicately opens the piece and you can see why they decided to let his arrangements lead the song – there’s something quite unusually memorable and timeless about his piano, it has a prepared sound, like a piano found in a dusty corner of an abandoned room where the ghosts of parties of the past can still be felt in the dusty air. Musically, it’s like watching an out-of-focus image slowly getting pulled into focus with Hannigan’s vocals accentuating that dreamy feel, adding touches of light before a soft beat, that beckons the body to the feet, is a cue for Gilmore who opens with a delicate and captivating edge to his voice…it’s quite a magical moment in the song…before it’s time to abandon all burdens…encouraged none more so than by the accompanying video by Kevin Cahill, a visionary piece of delight and wonder as he fuses past and present in a surreal but infectious dance.
Frontman of the group, Caimin Gilmore, says ‘I wanted to let go of the usual songwriting patterns I utilise when I was making ‘Wild’. In that regard, I relinquished control to Patrick O’Laoghaire (I Have a Tribe), to arrange & steer the ship through his piano arrangements. I have played Lisa’s music for a number of year’s. As is her nature, she always generously offered to work on mine. ‘Wild’ & the upcoming single, ‘New Light’, were immediate fits when I thought of her voice within the context of our music. I am so humbled & grateful that she lent her unbelievably beautiful & unique voice to the project. Like everything she does, it lifted the songs to a level beyond what I could have imagined for them. The video was a collaborative brainstorm between myself and Kev Cahill. He distorted background credits & rendered characters from out of copyright films to create the vibrant primary colours & striking characters; made them dance & animated the subject matter of the song… I have a little cameo as well.’
‘Wild’ is the first single being released from Sun Collective’s forthcoming EP ‘New Light’ and the first of the EP’s three singles being released in the run-up to, & in conjunction with the group’s appearance on award-winning, & internationally acclaimed Irish music series, Other Voices, April 15th on RTÉ 2 television. For U.K viewers on RTÉ player, & subsequently on Other Voices YouTube. All great news, the more people that know of this music, the better.
‘Wild’ – available on all streaming platforms from March 25th 2021
Also due for release –
- ‘New Light’, feat Lisa Hannigan. Bespoke artwork commission from visual artist Sophie Gough. Releasing April 6th.
- ‘Ogham Scars’, feat Gemma Doherty (Saint Sister). Bespoke artwork from visual artist John Noel Smith & live video from Other Voices set. Releasing April 15th.
Website :: https://www.suncollective.ie
Facebook :: https://www.facebook.com/suncollectiveensemble/