The Ocelots, twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson from Wexford, Ireland (now residing in Leipzig, Germany), have today announced their second album, Everything, When Said Slowly. The album finds them delivering a bigger sound as they tackle themes around Irish migration, the perception of time, love, and bicycles.
“The title Everything, When Said Slowly is a response from an old Irish man’s perspective on people leaving our hometown of Wexford over the years past. He said it was a very long time since they left, but not much time if you said it fast. I found it wonderful and profound, but also deeply moving and fitting for the album’s sentiment. How time flies or drags depending on what you’re experiencing, especially when it’s time in a place you said goodbye to.”
The sound of their second album, produced by decade-long collaborators Cillian and Lorcan Byrne, is described as a driven, energetic scrapbook coloured by flutes, synths, harmonica and harmonium. The twin brothers blend absurdity and sincerity in an array of literature-inspired musings. Open tunings and clawhammer banjo bring country-folk contemplation, but the imagery is very much urban, living outside of the romanticised glaze of wood cabins and cottage-core nostalgia.
The album’s debut single, About You, scheduled for release on October 11th, is described as cynical and culturally relevant as songwriting becomes increasingly more self-involved and narcissistic.
To celebrate the launch of the album, The Ocelots will perform live shows across Ireland.
Live Dates
Tickets on sale for Whelans on Friday, 11th Oct at 10am
Tickets: https://theocelots.com/dates/
26 Oct – St Davids Wales – Boia Festival
29 Oct – London – Third Man Records/Blue Basement
2025
07 Feb – Wexford – National Opera House (JHT) (home town launch)
08 Feb – Kilkenny – The Seantí
12 Feb – Galway – Black Gate
13 Feb – Limerick – The Commercial
14 Feb – Dublin – Whelans
15 Feb – Belfast – The Duncairn
16 Feb – Derry – Sandinos
21 Feb – Cork – Coughlans
22 Feb – Ballydehob – Levis’ Bar
23 Feb – Kinsale – Prim’s Bookshop
26 Feb – Newport – Le Pub
27 Feb – Frome – Hydeaway
28 Feb – Worcester – St Swithun’s
01 Mar – Birmingham – Sunflower Lounge
02 Mar – Sheffield – Cafe #9
04 Mar – Leeds – Oporto
05 Mar – Manchester – Castle Hotel
06 Mar – London – Green Note
07 Mar – Brighton – Folklore Rooms
08 Mar – Winchester – The Arc
09 Mar – Southbourne – The Wight Bear
11 Mar – Cambridge – Portland Arms
Everything, When Said Slowly is due for release on February 7th 2025
Pre-Save: https://artists.landr.com/055855540119