What are your names?
Sean O’Mahony & Emily Panter
What is the bands name?
Inner City Radio
How did you come up with the bands name?
When we originally started recording me it was a project called EMØLY. Then we decided we would collaborate on writing an album together. So we battled it out between us for weeks on end, Inner City Radio was the victor. It matches our eclectic style with hints of the urban and scuzzy.
What is your genre of music?
It was always really difficult to put our finger on it, Paul Mc Loone from the Untertones and Today FM referred to us as an electro blues band. We found that was pretty apt.
Give us a little bio about you as individuals and as a band.
Sean: I have had a colourful musical past and have played in various bands throughout the years. I studied music in Cork University and have particular interest in harmony and songwriting. When beginning this project and found that I really came into myself as a producer and as an artist. Emily I got my first electric guitar at age 13, I was exposed to music at an early age through my dad. He played guitar constantly and I would sit and sing along or play tambourine. He always encouraged me musically and raised us on great music. Particularly pink floyd, the beatles, cockney rebel and the moody blues. I never studied music but always had a fascination with instruments and could not get enough of every kind of music.
Emily: Myself and Sean used to be mates at school, he was a few years above me and I looked up to him. Aside from hanging out together we would jam after school at his house while I waited to be picked up by my parents. We would also play together in school talent shows and concerts as a kind of duo, I would sing and Sean would play guitar. Now we are grown ups and making music together feels natural and we picked up where we left off.
Describe each other in 2 words.
Sean: Emily is enthusiastic and sensitive
Emily: Sean is funny and curious
What made you go in to music?
Sean: Girls (chuckles).. no seriously asides from that I found listening to music to be very powerful to me.
Emily: I always loved the idea of performing.. or wailing on a guitar. I have always loved singing and discovering new types of music. Music is also in my blood. My dad had always had a way of making music and listening to music, very special, some of my best memories are stood listening to Pink Floyd “Sorrow” on full blast at night whilst staring out to sea.
Are you a signed?
Sean: No, we do everything by ourselves
Your single ‘Love’ is out, tell us more about it.
Emily: Love is about the grim side of love. There are sensuous and tongue in cheek lyrics and undertones. but they are shallow and become overshadowed by the frustrated cries of heartbreak and frustration which lie over an almost cheesy sexy baseline which we wanted to be reminiscent of 90’s West Coast hip hop.
What was the naming process like?
Sean: It was the working title and we kept it. Titles tend to be an afterthought.
What was the writing process like?
Emily: I used a sample which can be heard throughout the song with a simple drum beat. The bass line I hummed until Sean played it (he’s technically a better base player). Then we listened back and I vamped some synth over the top and singing and lyrics all came last.
What was the recording process like?
Sean: The recording itself was quick, we tend to be really efficient when recording
You also have SOS out, tell us more about this track too.
Emily: The track is about mental health. It’s about anxiety and its grip coming out of no where. Where you clasp at straws and need help.. The Chorus is that cry.
what was the naming process like?
Working title was feet don’t touch.. then we changed it to S.O.S. Again.. titles are an afterthought.
What was the writing process like?
Emily: I came to sean with a demo of this track when I wanted to record. I played bass on the recording and sean plays the guitar parts.
What was the recording process like?
We recorded it on an old Imac that was a fire hazard and could crash at any moment.
Will we see a EP or Album this year?
Album coming in 2018, Titled Inner City Radio
Do you play any instruments?
Sean: Guitar and Bass
Emily: Guitar and Bass.. I also play percussion but not in the band
Who are your influences?
Sean: Queens of the Stone age, John frusciante, Jose Gonzalez
Emily: Burial, Autolux, Portishead,
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Sean: Generally one of us will come up with a main idea.. Emily: we then run with it as a duo and add and subtract bits until it is a song we are happy with.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Sean: Carphone warehouse (Laughs)
Emily: Still playing.. not sure to whom or where
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Sean: I teach guitar so kids, I also like to cook.
Emily: I work as a barista, but in my spare time I love a good project.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Emily: Massive attatck Inercia Creeps.. What a tune.. it is hugely inspiring to me
Sean: By the Way Red Hot Chilli Peppers
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Sean: Don’t eat yellow snow.
Emily: Don’t panic
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Sean: Technology is never going to be better than the song.
Emily: Don’t overthink things. Your gut instinct tends to be right.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Emily: Paddle your own canoe or as my mum says (Tell um Shite)
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Emily/Sean: Charlie Malones Wolftone street. We played our first gig there.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Plectrums, Duct Tape, Leads, Extension leads, Water.
If you had to give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Emily: You are way cooler than you think so stop trying
Sean: Practice
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Soundcloud
innercityradio.com is our bandcampwhere you can buy our tunes and support us.
