New Music: Fionn Regan: Acoustic Folk
Fionn Regan likes telling sharp, soulful stories of unimportant things, of 11 year old boys who look like they’ve been walking for 100 years. And songs about the lights on the tables, composed in the moments before coming on stage. After putting on a stunning live show last night at the Sheffield Boardwalk I feel it’s neccessary to tell you all about him - though he is singing in English, he is indeed an Irish trobadour - and that certainly goes against everything this blog is about (new U.K music). But sometimes branching out for music this good is essential.
He writes songs through a lens with a soft focus - and it feels precious but not sweet. I imagine Mr Fionn Regan to be walking backwards in front of you at a fast pace, singing these songs, and occasionally stopping to perch on a brick wall waiting for you to catch up. It’s easy listening, until you begin to pay attention to the wistful, nostalgic and just generally interesting, walking paced lyrics. It’s feels like Fionn is reintroducing you to a remote memory - I think - but whatever he’s doing he manages it across 12 tracks on his album - an album that will no doubt be one of the best this year.
For reference take the names Elliot Smith, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake and Damien Rice shake them up in a bag, through in some spinning tops and sugar - then stop wasting your time, put the bag down and go and buy this record.
Said The Gramophone’s Sean posted two tracks from Fionn last month and I was so amazed by them. Thanks so much for these tracks, couldn’t wait to hear more from him.
He did indeed - thats one of the places I found some of his music actually - he is fantastic live too! Supoort from Joya Landis i think… she was excellent too.
Yup, Fionn Regan is awesome live, I first saw him a few years ago supporting Turin Brakes and was instantly won over. Now he is even better, I’ve seen him twice in the last couple of months and his songs are tauter and more sparkling, and the interplay with drums (Jamie from the Noisettes) adds a great dynamic tension.
Fionn Regan has been dominating my car stereo for the past month. Good to see him getting some more love.
That’s a really beautiful (and very apt!) portrayal of Fionn’s music you’ve posted there! Truely amazing musician and lyricist.