For Fans Of: Joy Division, Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital
Odd Morris are the latest offering from Dublin’s bustling art-rock scene, albeit with their own unmistakable, brooding sound.
Daragh Griffin (vocals/guitar), Kris Hassett (guitar), Ciarán McCarthy (bass) and Sam Martin (drums) add to their local musical conversation, whilst steering it confidently into new directions, penning tracks about coming of age in the claustrophobic city centre. Despite having only officially released three songs to date, they’ve already bagged themselves spots on The Independent’s Ones To Watch list (along with the likes of hot up-and-comers Celeste, Georgia and Bakar), as well as their recommendations for 2020 piece.
The band share a rehearsal space with Fontaines D.C. and The Murder Capital, but take on a grungier sound than their peers. Their brooding alternative debut single, ‘What Might Be’, arrived in March 2019, and immediately saw them caught up in the Irish post-punk hype but with a darker yet more melodic edge. They followed on with the droning sonic track, ‘Lilac Leaves’ in November, which has a particular focus on Griffin’s songwriting. Paying homage to to a range of their collective inspirations such as poetry and literature, its lyrics tell the tale of him moving out of his turbulent family home, laced around metaphors of nature and the garden growing out of control. Clash named it their track of the day not long after release, and it featured on blogs such as Gigwise and The Indiependent.
Their latest single, ‘Cold Water’ ensured that Odd Moriss got their year off to a successful start. Released on 29th January, the menacing, foreboding track finds Griffin grappling with his own idealistic views of romance, and plays out in two distinct halves. The first half of the song portrays the frontman’s unease at the vulnerability and compromise that accompanies entering a committed relationship, before realising the beauty of letting one’s guard down and embracing the uncertainty. ‘Cold Water’s narrative is conveyed through an ever-intensifying tempo. Layered guitars provide the impending sense of a crescendo throughout the track, as the protagonist digs deep within himself to make peace with reality.
This third single has put them on the radar of even more outlets, such as The Line of Best Fit, however there are some major names who’ve been there from the start. For example, BBC Radio 6’s Steve Lamacq has supported the four-piece by attending all of their previous London shows, calling their performances “absorbing”, and regularly span ‘Lilac Leaves’ and ‘Cold Water’ on his show.
Having garnered such strong support with only a handful of tracks under their belt, there’s something captivating about what Odd Morris have offered so far, and a promising future is certainly expected.
Website – oddmorris.com
Facebook – /OddMorrisBand
Twitter – @oddmorrisband
Odd Morris will perform at 100 Club as part of AMP London, along with The Murder Capital and Working Men’s Club on 4th March.
Tags: amp london / introducing / odd morris