INTERVIEW: Pale Blue Moon: "The entire album is written like a book, with each song being a chapter, so it has a pattern of themes about overcoming the odds and not giving up."

 

Irish rockers Pale Blue Moon have just unleashed a new single, ‘Rise Up’ taken from their debut album ‘The Pleasure Of Finding Things Out’. Their debut has been topping the Irish Album Charts, and the lead single ‘Supernatural’ entered the iTunes Charts at #2, and its follow-up ‘It’s Not Real’ topped the chart and premiered on Kerrang! Radio before storming the mainstream Irish radio stations. With their debut album going down a storm Mad About Rock caught up with vocalist Shane to find out more about the band and their anticipated follow-up to their successful debut.

Firstly, let's go back to the beginning. What are your earliest memories of music and the moment you decided you wanted to be a musician? 

My earliest memory is playing a two-hundred-year-old antique piano my parents bought when I was about four years old. Most of the keys did not work, so I had to get creative to play songs on it, skipping the broken keys and finding alternative patterns to play.

Can you tell us about how you came to form as a band? 

I had an idea for the project and what I wanted to do, so I found the right musicians to collaborate with. All the guys in the band had previous success in their own right with other projects, so I was very fortunate to find such accomplished musicians to work with.

How would you best describe your music to those who aren't aware?

It's rock music pure and simple with some dark illustrative themes. With thoughtful lyrics that have meaning, not just empty words.

What are your main influences both musically and creatively? 

We share a wide eclectic mix of influences, Bach, Nirvana, Metallica, Ghost, The Pogues.

What are you currently working on now? 

We are currently touring playing festivals, but also preparing to record a new album. Which will be an exciting new adventure. We are experimenting with a new direction and sounds.

What was the writing and recording process like for the new album? 

For me personally, it was a challenge as I had a stroke, so I ended up in hospital for about a year. All good now. I was determined to finish the album, so I completed the mix with my producer via Skype from my hospital room. Pretty wild experience, but we go there in the end!

What, if any, are the main lyrical themes explored on the new album? 

The lyrics are all positive. The entire album is written like a book, with each song being a chapter, so it has a pattern of themes about overcoming the odds and not giving up. General positivity. I just felt there was enough negativity in the world, and I wanted my small contribution via our album to be positive. Having said that, for the new album, I am exploring darker themes…

How did you arrive at the song title for your latest single 'Rise Up', and what does it mean to you? 

Our current single, which entered the iTunes Rock singles charts at number one here in Ireland and it, is about not giving up no matter how dark and cold it appears to be. Things will and do get better, so Rise up and take your place!

What was the hardest part of writing the new material? 

Making decisions on what to keep or pursue, so many ideas, so being disciplined is a challenge. Otherwise, we will end up with a triple album. Decisions decisions…

How do you think the new material compares to your previous work? 

The new material is darker and heavier, which is exciting. Bigger, more theatrical sound.

How excited are you to play the new material live? 

Very nobody has heard it yet. I think our audience will be surprised and happy with the new direction, heavy rock but still with strong melodies.

What have been some of the best moments for you in the band, and why? 

Definitely playing live, touring, meeting new weird and wonderful people. Just love that.


Outside of music, what else do you enjoy in your downtime? 

Spending time with family and friends, what could be better?

What else have you got planned for the rest of the year, and what else would you like to achieve? 

We plan to play to more people, so more and bigger live shows are on the way. The new album will be out by the end of the year! Watch this space.

 

To find out more about Pale Blue Moon visit:

Instagram: instagram.com/palebluemoonmusic

Facebook: facebook.com/PaleBlueMoonMusic

Youtube: youtube.com/channel/PaleBlueMoonMusic

Website: palebluemoon.ie

Spotify: spotify.com/artist/PaleBlueMoon