Track of the Day: Conchúr White - 'Dreamers'

Northern Irish artist Conchúr White has released the title track from his forthcoming Dreamers EP after announcing further Irish tour dates alongside Villagers and Margaret Glaspy.

Conchúr White’s Dreamers EP was written over a year and a half and recorded across various different studios in the UK and US. White worked with esteemed producers Kevin McMahon (Frightened Rabbit, Real Estate) and Simon Dine (Paul Weller), with the EP later mixed by Matt Wiggins (London Grammar, Glass Animals, The Horrors).

In terms of subject matter, the EP touches upon a number of pressing cultural issues and quandaries, all somewhat inadvertently rooted in a similar area.

"I didn’t write the EP with a theme in mind but I’ve found there to be one," Conchúr elaborates. "It’s about the importance of pushing yourself out the door but also giving yourself a break and understanding that everyone’s circumstances are different.”

Title track 'Dreamers' explores notions of small town culture and moves effortlessly between soothing folk and indie-rock bedlam, with Conchúr professing, "I've been talkin' 'bout it since I don't know when / I had excuses for days and they were 10 out of 10s" / until I finally make it I won't scream or shout / cause we've all been dreamers 'til we get found out".

"It's about feeling silly for having dreams or aspirations beyond what you've known, so you make excuses or self sabotage," Conchúr explains.

"I worked with a lot of young people from the local area who at such a young age felt like they wouldn't go beyond where they were, which was quite sad. The main message is we all have a right to dream and aspire for something more whether it seems silly or not."

There’s a dream-like surrealism in White’s musical storytelling which he delivers with an understated theatrical manner - with lyrical influences including the likes of Father John Misty, Lana Del Rey, Alex Turner, and Charles Bukowski.

Hailing from County Armagh in Northern Ireland, Conchúr White achieved notable success in Ireland with his previous band Silences, who split in 2019. Upon parting ways, Conchúr felt an outpouring of creativity and began working on solo material. Conchúr's 2020 debut EP Bikini Crops shortly followed, and the Dreamers EP is further evidence of his inarguable talent as a songwriter and musician.

Freshly announced Irish tour dates:

9 Sept: DUBLIN - Whelans (with Margaret Glaspy)
2 Nov: CORK - Opera House (with Villagers)
3 Nov: KILKENNY - Set Theatre (with Villagers)
4 Nov: LIMERICK - Dolans (with Villagers)
5 Nov: GALWAY - Black Box (with Villagers)
7 Nov: BELFAST - Empire Music Hall (with Villagers)

Listen to 'Dreamers' below: