AUTUMN OWLS
COUNTY DUBLIN
Autumn Owls formed and began preparing their sound and ideas in 2007. The four-piece from Dublin converted a shed into a recording space and began writing and recording. The bands first year together was a productive one, resulting in some impressive demos leading to them being selected by Hot Press to represent Irish Music in the New York Tisch School of Arts 2007 Music Video Project. The song went on to feature regularly on Dave Fanning's TV show "The Last Broadcast". The band decided that in 2008 they would become full time musicians and completed the year by playing Ireland's premier music showcase " The Hard Working Class Heroes Festival" in Dublin that year.
With a commitment to hard work, constant practice and continuous song writing, the band self-released their debut EP "Insomnia Lodge" in May 2008 to very favourable reviews. The follow up to their debut EP was released in December 2008. Another five track EP titled "On the Trail of the Disappearing" The new tracks were recorded at Westland studios with acclaimed producer Ciaran Bradshaw. "On the Trail" marked a new, bigger and more adventurous sound from the band. The EP was greeted with a wave of critical acclaim from Irish, UK and US reviewers. The EP continues to sell in outlets such as Tower Records (Dublin) Road Records (Dublin) and Cool Discs (Derry). International sales continue to grow on iTunes and Amazon MP3. "A Thousand Blind Windows" the first single taken from the EP is still enjoys steady airplay from 2FM, Today FM, Phantom FM , BBC (UK)and CLC (Spain)
After the release of "On the Trail" The band focused on honing their live performance. Supporting many UK and US acts such as The Week That Was, Real Estate, Early Day Miners and Devotchka as well as playing their own shows. In the new year the band played the Phantom FM "The Future's Bright Showcase" 2009. In February they performed a live session for The Paul McLoone Show on Today FM. In March the band were nominated in the newcomer category for "Hope for 2009 Award" in the Meteor Irish Music Awards. In the same month the bands lineup changed Paul coming in on guitar/keys and Niall taking over on bass duties. The new lineup's first performance was a live piece for Dave Fanning's TV show "The Eleventh Hour" which was shown in March. Soon after the band were invited into the RTE studios to record a live session for "The Dan Hegarty Show" on 2FM which was aired in June 09. The band spent the rest of the summer touring the country, also bringing their music to Norway in October before returning to Ireland to play The Hardworking Class Heroes Festival 2009.
2010 has already seen the band tour the U.S in March, finishing in Texas to play the renowned SXSW Festival as well as appearing at Liverpool's Sound City Festival in May and Toronto's NXNE Festival in June. Autumn Owls are currently in the studio recording their debut album scheduled for release in Early 2011.
REVIEWS:
“a rock vibe tempered with smart arrangements that belie the bands age & experience”
- Irish Times
“Utterly Absorbing”
- Channel 4 Planet Sound (UK)
“Nothing Short of Spectacular”
- Amplifier Magazine (US)
"One of the most unusual bands in Ireland at the moment, bleak and experimental"
- News Of The World
“A lovely blend of rootsy Americana and the post epic sounds of Radiohead”
- Road Records
"With On The Trail.., we find Autumn Owls are continuing to explore the immersive depth of their talent."
- AU Magazine
"These four young Dubliners have skilfully mastered the art of atmospheric and unsettling rock".
- State.ie
