Mayo band to release debut EP next week
Westport band The Works release their debut EP next week. Picture: Ben Higgins
The story of The Works begins at Westport House where four of the five musicians were employees.
Oisín Gómez-Kelly is the lead vocalist and pianist, Jamie Van Den Oosten plays guitar and contributes backing vocals, Fintan Dunne plays base and occasionally harmonica and Nathan McGreal is the drummer. When the emerging band found themselves in need of another guitarist, Fintan suggested his friend Rory McDaid. Thus, The Works was born.
“The reason we are called The Works is because the covers we were doing for our first gig included a lot of different genres,” Jamie told the “So we were doing ‘the works.’”
The name continues to represent their unique sound. The Works combines an eclectic collision of musical influences to produce original, indie rock songs.
“We are still finding our sound with our songs,” Oisín said. “They are all distinct from each other and they could each be a genre of their own, but the overarching theme would be indie rock.”
Although all five band members have a similar taste in music, each brings something different to the table.
“There is an overarching common interest tree, but we all branch off,” Nathan explained. “That contrast breeds the creativity.
“I really like jazz, so I might bring a bit of a lounge feel to a song that the lads wouldn’t have considered. Fintan might bring in one of those fantastic, 60s-style baselines. Jamie might add his little indie notes on the guitar. Rory likes My Bloody Valentine, so he might use a really ethereal guitar tone. Oisín might bring in his '70s influences. I think what makes it great is that we have a lot of sources to draw inspiration from.
“But it’s not like we are trying to pull in all different directions,” Fintan added. “We all know indie is the main thing and we find the balance between our other influences.”
Jamie describes each band practice as a “pooling of ideas until something forms". It’s typically Jamie, Rory or Fintan who will introduce a melody or chord progression to the group. From there, it is a collaborative effort to transform that idea into a song. Each band member contributes to the final product, ensuring that every song reflects the identity of the collective.
So far, The Works has released only two original songs, and . However, their discography is about to grow. On December 4, the band will release their debut EP titled .
“It will be a really good statement of us as a band,” Fintan said.
The upcoming EP will contain five songs including three previously unreleased originals. The Works revealed the name of the first track is .
“In the first three seconds of the first track on the EP, you're able to hear the '60s and '70s influences but also a lot more mellow indie stuff and a bit of modern Arctic Monkeys,” Oisín explained. “There is so much going on in the beginning of that song. I think it’s a good way to start the EP because it gets you right into that headspace.”
When describing their new music, the band hinted at more moody and emotional lyricism accompanied by clever instrumentals.
“I think each song shows a different side to the band but there is a consistent theme,” Nathan commented.
Jamie added: “They are all very different, but they are all The Works.”
The band will be performing at the legendary Fibber Magees in Dublin on December 5 as they count down to the launch of their first EP.
“You can be a bit self-conscious or fearful of how it is going to be interpreted or if people are going to enjoy it,” Nathan confessed. “I feel like the most important thing is that we are all really happy with the songs and however people respond to it is out of our control. Once you put it out there, you aren’t in charge of the narrative. We got these songs as perfect as we could get them and I feel a strong connection to them.”
Fintan added: “It’s just about having fun and we are having fun doing it.”
When asked about their dreams for the future of The Works, the band described a desire for widespread appreciation for their music.
“I want a nice little fan base for the band, so I do,” Jamie said. “I don’t need major views, I just want a fanbase. I want to look at the Instagram and see a lot of comments on every post.”
To find more information on upcoming gigs and their debut EP, follow @theworks_band on Instagram.
Nathan added: “It would be fantastic to focus completely on making music because that is what I love to do. I would be happy enough with that. Whatever level of success that requires, I’m happy with that.”
