In the final issue of Hot Press this year, Walking On Cars look back at a remarkable 2019 – including the release of their sophomore album Colours, sold-out European tours, a major headline gig at Cork's Irish Independent Park with support from Lewis Capaldi, and battling it out on the charts with Billie Eilish.

Capping off their final performance of the year with fireworks is a fitting way for the Dingle band to celebrate the successes of 2019, as Walking On Cars get set to headline this year's NYF Dublin's Countdown Concert. Now in its eight year, the festival has transformed the city into one of the top European destinations for New Year's. Northern Irish indie-rock legends Ash, rapidly rising star Aimee and country-pop artists Lisa McHugh are all set to appear on the night.

Of course, Walking On Cars’ hometown of Dingle has an impressive reputation for its own New Year’s Eve celebrations – though we’re sure the band won’t mind missing out on the countdown in Kerry just this once.

“Dingle’s always mental,” lead singer Pa Sheehy laughs. “Thousands of people squish onto the bridge back home for the countdown. But with Dublin, it’s going to be like multiplying that by 50. It’ll be mad – way bigger and louder.”

During the course of the interview, the band also discuss the release of Colours – which narrowly missed out on No.1 in the charts to Billie Eilish's all-conquering When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

“The difference was something like 140 albums!” Sorcha smiles, shaking her head. “So it was very close. We were like, ‘But you don’t need it!’”

“I know!” Pa laughs. “Leave us alone, for one week! But she won, so fair is fair.”

“We’re still going to hold a grudge, though,” bassist Paul Flannery adds with a cheeky grin.

For the full interview, pick up a copy of the Hot Press Christmas Special, available in stores and online now: