Shane Barry

Waterford-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Shane Barry, released his debut, solo album ‘Songs from the Silver South’ in November 2023, only on Bandcamp. The album quickly became 'album of the week' on Green and Live (Limerick 96fm) and Roddie Cleere's Irish Music Show (KCLRfm). Shane has been performing the album live, including a critically-acclaimed performance at Culture Night and Summer in the City, Waterford, with a 10-piece band, including a brass and percussion section.

This 10-track album – the perfect Autumn-to-Spring soundtrack - represents a wide range of influences and interests. From ambient country to indie new-wave to folk-rock to the instrumental retro-dance/electronica of the album closer, Shane creates a number of tapestries to present the stories inspired by small-town living.

Subject matter includes love deliberately taken for granted (‘Love You When You’re Gone’), the cost-of-living crisis (‘This Season’s Roar’, described by Hotpress as an 'eclectic, country-inspired gem'), a lake in France, male toxicity (‘Get the Love’), the refugee crisis, and even an epic dedication to cycling legends Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. Whereas song topics may suggest a particular style, rest assured, Shane takes his influences from McCartney, Costello, Wilco, LCD Soundsystem, John Prine and 70s FM pop, ensuring that melodies are the primary driver to deliver the message.

Having had previous success with the soul/indie influenced Shane Barry & the Distractions, Shane has spent the last few years completing a PhD in Applied Linguistics, starting a family, and playing other people’s songs to finance this new solo project. The pause in performance opportunities in 2020 led to a rediscovery of enjoying music and writing songs. In discussions with regular collaborator, mixing engineer and former O Emperor drummer, Brendan Fennessy, enough basic equipment was purchased to self-engineer his upcoming album, ‘Songs from the Silver South’. Away from the time and financial pressures of the studio, the album was recorded in bedrooms, hallways and practice rooms over 2021 and 2022, while toddlers slept and neighbours mowed lawns. Drums were the only instrument engineered beyond the bedroom, performed by Brendan Fennessy. All other instruments apart from brass and cello were performed by Shane. The album was also mixed by Brendan, with Slowdive’s Simon Scott drafted in to add his magic to the mastering.

‘Songs from the Silver South’ is available for order on vinyl, CD and digital on Bandcamp, and released independently through Shane’s Distraction Music label (link below). The album will be release on streaming platforms in the summer of 2024.