Stephen Young first appeared on the music scene in 2009 with the release of his debut EP: ‘A Boat Called Lottery’.
Recorded over a one-year period though 2008 in a friend’s apartment on an old 8-track, it was a rough-sounding recording and it varied in styles but it gave Young his first chance to work on his songwriting style and gig his own material.
The six-track EP, which was released digitally received some small amounts of press and encouragement from some within the industry to form a band and start thinking about producing an album with which he could then bring on the road.
Young joined forces with some friends, who were also playing in other bands at time, but were willing to lend a hand.
Young and the newly-named The Union, began hitting Dublin’s regular hot-spots. Whelan’s, The Sugar Club, Academy 2 and The Cobblestone among others.
The Cobblestone was to prove a favourite with Young and the band, who went on to perform there up to a dozen times.
With more than enough songs written Young and the Union were ready to begin recording their debut album ‘Wilderness Machine’.
Setting up shop in Dublin’s Ashtown Studios they began the long process of elimination and retakes. One year later they came out with a product they were almost happy with.
Young turned to well-known singer-songwriter and producer Gavin Glass to help them finish the record, and the final sessions yielded pleasing results such as the album’s lead single Coke and Rum.
With the album in the bag and mastered by Aidan Foley it was set for release on March 25th, distributed by RMG/Cavellerro.
The band performed Josie & I on RTE's The View, along with numerous tracks from the album being playlisted by stations across the country – including RTE Radio One, BBC Ulster and Dublin's Phantom FM. Young and the band were also boosted ahead of their nationwide tour with extensive features, and interviews, in The Irish Daily Star and Hotpress along with many regional papers and radio stations.
Launched in Crawdaddy, Dublin on March 25th, the band went on to play Cleere’s Kilkenny, The Spirit Store Dundalk, McCarthy’s Dingle and The Stables Mullingar, while Stephen visited The Red Chair Sessions and The Back Door sessions in Wexford Town and The Slate in Cork to finish the tour.
Young and the band also completed a second Irish tour in October 2011 with The Man Whom, Joey Ryan and Shayne Byrne.
In early 2012, Young & The Union signed to the Irish Indie label Cellarmusic Recordings.