Dublin quartet Delorentos have cemented their stake as one of Ireland's foremost indie bands in recent years, with their distinct brand of jerky, melody-infused alt-rock.

We caught up with Kieran and Níal from the band for a quick chat ahead of their gig at The Savoy, Cork on April 18th, when support will come from hotly-tipped Bray trio Wyvern Lingo.

Delos are always a tight, entertaining live band - so if you want to check them out, you can buy your tickets right here on Entertainment.ie.

Don't delay, it's gonna be a good 'un!

What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?

Kieran: The first album I bought was Nirvana – Live in New York. Kurt had just died and the music was everywhere… I only recently started getting back into them, getting lost on YouTube following links… what a great band! I thought it was Nirvana Live in New York – as in they live in an apartment there. It’s not.

Nial: The first time my older brother took me record shopping he bought ‘Pod’ by the Breeders, I’ve been fascinated by that album ever since. Steve Albini said it was the best sound and performance he ever got from a band. Considering who he’s recorded, that’s really high praise.

When did you first realise you wanted a career in music?

Kieran: I kind always felt I would be a musician. Growing up, I used to record myself making up songs and imagining I’d be on the TV singing them. I kept that up until someone pointed out I should learn how to play a guitar, and I suppose the rest happened. I’m not really equipped to do anything else. My CV would just have a blank space where 10 years of office work should probably be.

Nial: I always wanted to be involved in music, but not as a performer! Ross and I had mutual friends growing up and we were swapping albums –making mixtapes for each other in school. It wasn’t until towards the end of our school years that we picked up instruments.

In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.

Kieran: Heart pounding excitement
Nial: Don’t. Mess. Up.

How do you wind down after a gig?

Kieran: Usually I don’t - I jump around for a bit, have a drink, hug people I know, hug people I don’t, have a bit of a mess and enjoy it. I try to have the inevitable comedown while I’m in Abrakebabra, or exhausted in bed afterwards.

Nial: Depends on the gig! Kieran and I have gone on sessions after huge gigs, but sometimes you just need a minute to stare into space and consider what the hell just happened.

What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?

Kieran: 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams. Only because I could pay my folks back some money. And possibly buy a gaff. And send a few hats to Pharrell.

Nial: Bahamas ‘Lost in the Light’. I came across them in the suggested artists section of Spotify. What a beautiful song, like all the greats – seems simple, that anyone could have come up with it. But they didn’t. Bahamas did.

What’s your favourite venue to perform in?

Kieran: There’s too many to mention. The library bar in Moscow we played in last year; the Memphis basement at The White Tower we played on our American tour; the industrial steel workers' bar we played in Berlin, that spat fire over the crowd every few minutes. I’d play back in any of those venues in a heartbeat. The Seapoint Ballroom we’re playing in Galway is apparently amazing. People keep telling us how much they love it – we can’t wait!

Nial: Kieran’s list above is spot on. In a weird way, I miss playing the shitholes that we started in. Most of them were wiped out by the Celtic Tiger, but part of me would love to play there again – fond memories. Even the ‘pay-to-play’ scumbags, and the one promoter who dumped a bunch of our flyers on the street and tried to get us to pay the fine. I’d play them again.

Your best and worst gig so far?

Kieran: I remember we played a gig – an early gig – where we all got pretty wasted and Nial went for a wander into the crowd to get a bottle opener during the set. It was our first gig in Galway, before we’d released anything, and I think we used to get drunk to combat the nerves. There was all these people there from record companies… when I think about it now, I dramatically slap my forehead. The best gig is a bit harder. We’ve had some amazing experiences over the last few years – I guess the night we won the Choice Music Prize was one we’ll always remember. It was pretty emotional for us for more reasons than musical ones. I think you have to try to remember that life is for enjoying, and we’re pretty lucky to have the opportunity to do that.

Nial: Ha! I remember that Galway gig. I wouldn’t mind, but Kieran asked for the bottle opener in the first place! Best gig so far for me was Murcia's SOS Festival. We were headlining the festival and there were 20,000 people there - we got to live out our best 'stadium rock' fantasies. Worst gig? That’s tricky: there’s been technical problems, arguments backstage, weird crowds, and one gig where the promoter and stage manager were having an actual fist fight just off the stage. But the truth is that all lends itself to the overall fun of being a band. It's what causes some gigs to be great.

Whose career do you envy, and why?

Kieran: Pharrell Williams. Mostly because of the hats.

Nial: Kevin Williamson - made a massive impact in publishing with Rebel Inc., launched the careers of Irvine Welsh, Alan Warner and Laura Herd. And then killed it off. Legend.

Vinyl or digital downloads?

Kieran: Well, obviously vinyl. MP3s are like having a black and white photocopy of a Van Gogh painting in your wallet. Vinyls are like having an original hanging over your mantlepiece.

Nial: Vinyl, definitely. Anyone we’ve worked with in the industry avoids MP3s because of their terrible sampling rates. I used to think they were stupid. Now I think I was stupid.

Give your thoughts on Spotify in three words.

Kieran: Good and bad.

Nial: Here for now.

You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?

Kieran: Today I’m in a “beautiful melancholy” mood, so it’s 'Mumblin' Deaf Ro – Dictionary Crimes', “The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow” and (some of) “Darling Arithmetic” – Villagers.

Nial: The Dirtbombs: ‘Ultraglide in Black’; Villagers: ‘Becoming a Jackal’; Breeders: ‘Pod’.

Name one piece of music memorabilia that you wish you owned.

Kieran: Pharrell Williams’s Banklink card.

Nial: Kieran’s Pharrell Williams scrapbook.

Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.

Kieran: This changes every week, but here goes – The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien, the film “Moon” and the album from before any of us were born – “Searching for the Young Soul Rebels” by Dexys.

Nial: Record: The Freewheeling Bob Dylan: the best break up song, protest song and abstract songs ever written all on one record. Must have.
Book: ‘Live from New York –the complete, uncensored history of Saturday Night Live' by James A. Miller and Tom Shales. Although an oral history of the first 3 decades of SNL, this is bible on creativity, aspiration and performance. One of the best insights into creative work I have ever read. Incredible book.
Film: Inherit the Wind. Learn how to disagree, respectfully. Great film.

Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.

Kieran: Spike Jonze directs, Joaquin Phoenix lead actor, set in an Abrakebraba on Camden St.
Nial: Wes Anderson. Paul Reid as the lead. Set in Portrane.

You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?

Kieran: Taco fries.
Nial: Stir-fired noodles, please.

You’ve been given €100,000 to spend, but only 1 hour to spend it. What do you buy?

Kieran: Holiday for my folks and extended family. Somewhere with good food, a few drinks, a pool, sunshine and stocked jukebox.
Nial: 10,000 to myself and 9 others. I’ll buy a scooter, but first I’m going to Nepal.

Describe your perfect day off.

Kieran: Somewhere with good food, a few drinks, a pool, sunshine and stocked jukebox. Or Abrakebabra.
Nial: Record shops, book shops, cinema, comedy gig, five-a-side, podcast recording, art gallery, photo gallery, bowling. And a surprise.

*****

Delorentos play The Savoy, Cork on April 18th with support from Wyvern Lingo. Buy tickets here.