A brand new album, titled Circus Boy, has been released by folk rockers Doolin’. This album, available on all streaming platforms, brings together Celtic and folk influences.
What inspired you to create Circus Boy?
“Circus Boy was created mainly throughout our travels to the USA and back. Very much influenced by the fact of being away from our families at first and afterwards being cut away from our public with Covid. It’s album about love in its every shapes and meant for a wider audience than previous ones”
Can you tell us more about your musical influences and how you created your unique sound?
“On this album, we’ve freed ourselves from the boundaries between Pop, Folk and Irish music. We’ve always been mixing different styles of music with our acoustic Irish and Folk instruments. The addition of piano and drums on this album gives it a touch of Pop that’s always been underlying but probably more assumed today.
In terms of other bands influences I’d go for Solas for the Irish and American Folk side of us and probably U2 for the Pop side. Of course there are plenty of other bands that we love. Darkest Way is obviously influenced by bands such as Mumford and Sons, some people tell me that the track Circus Boy makes them think of Texas but everybody’s welcome to make their own point of view.”
Do you have a track that shines out as a favourite to play live?
“A track from the new album that’s really delightful to play live would be Man Smart(Woman Smarter) as you can witness instantly the joy it brings to people with its New Orleans groove. My favourite one to play live would be Ballad of Hollis Brown from the album before. Our version of this Bob Dylan’s song is very Doolin’ like with its energy and emotive waves.”
Does the songwriting process happen between you all?
“More often someone comes up with a song or a tune and we work on it together but it happens that we compose something from scratch all together during a few days off on the road as in Chicago Waltz.”
How would you describe your music to a potential fan?
“I’d say it’s a mix of Folk, Pop and Irish music with a funky groove sometimes.”
Who would you love to collaborate on a project with?
“There’s 5 persons at the very core of this band so the answer will be a bit personal rather than a team one but I’d say Daniel Lanois as a producer as he seems to understand and enhance every kind of music I love. I doubt that Bruce Springsteen has heard of us yet but he’s welcome too.”
What does the future hold for Doolin?
“At the moment we’re working on adapting the songs of Circus Boy to the stage and very much looking forward to our US tour this summer.”
