11 December 2008 (Music Interview)

Words: Lauren Murphy.

He's been an integral part of the Irish music scene for several years, but 2008 has proven to be Richie Egan - aka Jape's - biggest to date. After his label V2 folded in October 2007, it was unclear whether his highly-anticipated third album - the superb 'Ritual' - would get a release; but re-signing to The Co-Op meant that it was eventually delivered to the baying throng in May, to critical (and public) acclaim. One of the album's highlights is undoubtedly Egan's ode to his fellow Crumlin compatriot 'Phil Lynott'. It's released as a single on Friday, December 19th, and a campaign to make it Ireland's Christmas Number 1 is already underway. You can get a taste by listening to a stream of the song at the bottom of the page - but do your bit for Irish music and download it when it's released. More details at the end of the page.


2008 has been possibly your busiest year to date - what's been your highlight?

The highlight for us this year was probably just finally getting the record out, and getting to go to a lot of amazing festivals all over the place, and play gigs. Glastonbury was brilliant as was the Ola Festival in Spain.

It must have been a huge relief to finally get 'Ritual' out after all of the label trouble. Was there ever a point that you thought it'd never see the light of day?

Yeah there was a lot of uncertainty, then certainty, and then uncertainty. It was pretty nerve-fraying. But what can you do? You just have to keep moving.

How do you feel when you listen back to it - are you one of those perfectionists who constantly hear things you'd like to change, or are you just really proud of it?

I don't listen to it anymore. I wouldn't be proud or not proud of it. There would be a lot of things I would change, but I tried my best with it, using the tools available to me at the time - so I'm not complaining. Already it feels like another person made that record. There's a very good article called 'Time and Its Discontents' by John Zerzan, which was recommeded to me recently, and I would recommend to anybody to read.

How do you feel now, in retrospect, about The Raconteurs covering 'Floating'? Was it more of a hindrance than a help (people focussing a lot on it in interviews, etc), and is it true that they didn't ask your permission to use it/you haven't received any royalties, etc?

I don't mind too much about it. It's an interesting enough story for people, I suppose, but I have a pain in the jaw from recounting the tale of how it came about. I reckon I'm gonna start lying about it soon enough.. saying that Gabriel Byrne told them they had to cover it or else he would kill himself. They didn't ask permission, but I would have said yes if they did, and I got a bit of money from the live gigs but I thought I would get more (smiles). That doesn't bother me though. All in all, I'm happier it happened than if it didn't - but it's well over now.



2008 has been particularly strong for music - what have you been listening to most this year, Irish or otherwise?

The best Irish thing I have heard this year, or pretty much any other for the last few, is Villagers. This is very exciting to me, the quality of the songs are outstanding. Son Green when it gets done and comes out is gonna be mind blowing, too.. I have also been listening to Sunken Foal, Halfset, Great Lakes, and I really want to get my hands on Barry McCormack's new one. Mighty Stef is rocking that shit so hard these days.. And Bats too, actually there's a whole lot of good stuff on that Richter Collective label.. Kittser's new album is cool. My newest Irish favourite is Katie Kim.. She's very atmospheric and artistic. It's good there's a lot of great Irish music. Too much international shit to even start!

'Phil Lynott' has been one of the best-received songs from the album when you play it live, yet it's also one of the most simple. It's very different to the tone of the rest of the album - why did you decide to write it that way?

When you write a song, you can't deny it. It comes to you. Sometimes it takes ages and is a complicated process, and other times, as with the 'Phil Lynott' tune, it takes about ten minutes and just flows. The thing with that song is that it's one hundred percent true. It's just a story that happened to me. So if the lyrics seem simple and a bit childish, it's just because there is no 'art' in that one. It's just the equivalent of a guy telling another guy a story. If I'd tried to develop it, it wouldn't have worked as well, I feel. The downside is, it's so simple, it's kind of annoying after a while. There's not much to get your teeth into.

With the campaign to get 'Phil Lynott' to the Christmas number one slot, what's your all-time favourite Christmas song?

My all-time favourite Christmas song would be a difficult one to choose. 'I Saw Santa Claus Flying Up High', 'Christmas Time Feet' or 'Christmas With the Elves' would have to be up there.

You said recently on your blog that you'd been doing some writing - can we expect the follow-up to 'Ritual' sometime in 2009?

I hope so. It's strange to be writing again. It takes a lot out of you. The more you think about things, the harder it is to say anything that's interesting.

You recently recorded a Christmas song with David Kitt - any possibility that you'll work together on something else sometime in the future?

That song was a bit of a lark in the penny shop. I'm not sure what the future will hold.

After such a successful year, what are your ambitions/resolutions for 2009?

To learn how to relax without any stimulus. To improve my memory and concentration, and not to think so much about things. I also want to start wearing shoes instead of runners. Finally, I need to lay off the Hunky Dorys.

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Jape play Tripod on December 18th, with support from special guests Cap Pas Cap and The Vinny Club. Tickets are on sale now from usual outlets, or you can try your luck at WINNING a pair.

Listen to 'Phil Lynott' here:

 

For Jape's Phil Lynott to have a chance of bagging the Christmas Number One slot, people need to buy the single between December 19th and December 23rd - it's available only via download from iTunes and www.downloadmusic.ie. . Less than 5,000 sales is capable of pushing a single to the number one spot in Ireland. Spread the word - let's have a decent Christmas Number 1 this year!

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