The Conservatory Party

“We should probably start thinking about stuff like that,” admits a sheepish Peter McFaul. “Record companies and what have you. You know, sending demos and the like.” He puffs out his cheeks in bewilderment. “The last EP got a really good reception which is a wonder because we never gave it to anyone. We’re a bit crap that way.”

Lazy, unmotivated, lacking in ambition – Patio Sounds would have difficulty beating any of those charges. But crap? Well, despite their own best efforts, that’s one accusation that won’t stick to this mob; because what the Portrush four-piece may lack in work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit they more than make up for with their happy blend of imagination and good cheer.
A welcome combination that has seen them come up trumps in even the most hostile of locations.
“We won this battle of the bands contest recently,” reveals frontman Paul. “We were up against two bands from the town the event took place in – both complete cock-rock Oasis fans. They’d filled the place with their mates and when we came on the whole place started to fucking boo us. Anyway, because we were the best band, we won and the place went nuts. There were loads of pure dodgy looking bastards knocking about and they all wanted to kick our heads in. Brian’s hammered, shouting “Losers, thanks for the money.” We’re trying to get him out of the way. It was a good laugh. It’s paid for our new demo.”
Given that the group has thus far skated through life on charm (they have only organised one gig off their own backs – all their other shows have come about courtesy of invites from admirers), you suspect that they’d be much more fun following around than attempting to manage. However, a reality check is now on the cards.
This time last year, the band were all undergrads. Now, however, drummer Evonne is a civil servant, Peter is about to become one, Christopher, the keyboardist, is at Art College finishing an MA, and bass player Brian is about to start a job in a coffee shop (“I’m not looking forward to it – I’ve to wear a blue bandana”). Patio Sounds find themselves at a junction that most bands have encountered – where they’re beginning to discover that their lives won’t bend as easily as they once did to accommodate their art. It’s a time when what had previously looked like a vocation, now turns into a hobby. The mood in the camp, though, is defiant.
“If it’s what you want to do, then you’ll do it,” Paul insists. “I was talking to my mate in London about this, telling him that I was skint and really needed to get myself a job. He told me that he knew this fella who was really talented, had been in a band that looked like it was going places, but then got a nine to five job and everything went tits up. He was telling me not to do that, to get a part time job and concentrate on the band. But I need the money. I don’t think I have a choice. If you let something like that dissuade you then the only people making records would be rich kids.”
Christopher backs him up: “I don’t think we’ve anything to worry about on that score. We’re pretty motivated at the minute. I’d personally be happy enough just making music that we like, getting better, getting more people to like us.”
Which is a more than achievable ambition. They claim to be marching into an upcoming session with Neal Calderwood armed with their best material so far, while a recent TV appearance has seen them thrill an unlikely demographic.
“Our first appearance on TV was recorded upstairs in Auntie Annies,” Peter reveals. “And the dry ice kept setting the smoke alarm off. We’d all migraines by the time recording finished, so when it was broadcast we just looked terrible. Chris and I were working in Tescos at the time and the night after it was on this wee woman came up to us and said ‘Here love, weren’t you on TV last night?’ We were dead cool about it and said yes. So she started laughing and told us she thought Pop Idol was a great thing.”