VILLAGERS
DUBLIN, COUNTY DUBLIN
Extracted from ‘The Memoirs of Matthew J. Anthony,’ previously available only from L.A.M. Fiction -
‘Villagers’ began life as a nameless collection of musical poems, all under the pen of one Conor J. O’Brien. “Ultimately, I’ve learned that a song is not an isolated thing. You have to wash the dishes before you write a song. It should never be taken too seriously. It must be treated with joy and humour, regardless of the subject matter,” muses Conor, as he strokes his hairless chin.
“The aim is to feel the songs out. If I don’t surprise myself, then it is a worthless endeavour. Indeed, I would apply this attitude to all aspects of this project. The songs are quite decisive, but I have no idea what I am doing, or where I am going.” Again, he strokes his chin, this time with a look of resigned confusion. “Once the songs took shape, I asked some friends of mine to help me play them to people. When they kindly agreed, I decided that we would present ourselves as ‘Villagers’ – I don’t really know why. I think I like the name because it doesn’t offend the songs.” With this, he puts his clothes back on and bids me farewell. On returning to my office, I slip on a banana skin and subsequently die.
“…they are Villagers, represented by a Conor O’Brien, who I believe to be about the best songwriter to come from here. That gentleman embodies everything I hold dear about music” – Richie Egan, Jape/The Redneck Manifesto
“Conor O'Brien is, and I don't use this word too often, special. There isn't another songwriter in Ireland today who can provoke the same emotional response in me as O'Brien and his Villagers can” – Steve O’Rourke, Cluas.com
“…a performance bordering on perfection. This is a band who have improved sensationally; and there's more passion, enthusiasm and musical prowess in this set than all of the weekend's headliners combined” – Aidan Coughlan, Irish Independent
“O’Brien is…a masterful writer of songs, with a canny knowledge of lyrical beauty as well as musical subtlety…it comes as some relief that Villagers have the acumen to back up the hysteria. On this brief evidence, an album should be quite special” – Lauren Murphy, Entertainment.ie
Villagers played their first live shows in October 2008, and 2009 saw them tour Ireland twice, play festivals at home and abroad , and open for the likes of Neil Young, Tracey Chapman, Wild Beasts, Bell X1 and Cass McCombs.
Villagers are currently putting the finishing touches to their captivating debut album, which will be released on Domino Records in May 2010.
