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Beyond the Wash to Release Debut EP on June 4th

May 27, 2020

Beyond the Wash (aka Patrick O’Donnell) will release his debut EP, ‘Murmurings’ on June 4th, 2020.

The first iterations of this project came in September 2019 with its lead single ‘Dusktime’, which shocked and enthralled audiences with one of the most daring music videos of 2019. This led to a feature by global arts and cultural platform Booooooom.tv. https://tv.booooooom.com/2019/10/28/beyond-the-wash-dusktime/  

The video would be included in Irish Film London’s top 5 Irish Music Videos of 2019. “A really ambitious and huge statement for a first single, with an amazing video.” (on Dusktime) – Kealan Duignan (The Irish Jam, London)

Two further singles (‘Misty Morning’ and ‘Uruguay’), further established Beyond the Wash as a dynamic artist that can shapeshift from energetic alt-pop sounds to evocative dream sequences with lyrical sensitivity. “A nimble, multifaceted artist capable of delivering uptempo bangers and plaintive, melodic songs with observationalist lyrics.” – Stephen Byrne (GoldenPlec)

Of the new release Beyond the Wash says:

“‘Murmurings’ for me had this fundamental concept from the outset, in that I imagined each of the 4 songs represent a season, ‘Uruguay’ has a kind acoustic awakening, ‘Dusktime’ reflects this summer burn, ‘Misty’ has a crisp feeling to it, while ‘Sand’ has a dark and stormy vibe. Each song had its own sonic sphere, which meant that each single we released was like a reboot.

I come from an era of full album listening, a format in which an artist can show many sides. I hope with the ‘Murmurings//ep’ one can engage with that sense of pacing in a smaller release. While as singles the songs may seem diverse and different, they make up the intentional canvas of the EP.

Lyrically, for me it outlines the potential to live with –fear, doubts and desires – understanding they still exist, but knowing that one can be the mechanic of their own machine – you drive you.

All tracks are written and produced by Patrick, recorded and mixed at Monique Studios, Cork by Christian Best (Mick Flannery), and mastered at Bova Lab studios, Ottawa by Philip Shaw Bova (Feist, Father John Misty). Coming off the back of shows in Whelan’s, the White Horse Sessions and the world-renowned Ruby Sessions, 2019 wrapped up with a sold out launch show in Coughlan’s Live.

Collaboration has been at the centre of the project from its first realisation. For the release of the physical CD, BTW collaborated with recycled paper bookmaker’s Badly Made Books and sculpture artist Sophie Gough. The result was a unique limited edition ‘Murmurings’ book that combined the CD, the lyrics, the song drafts and interpretive artwork that mirrored the music. https://beyondthewash.bandcamp.com/album/murmurings

O’Donnell’s intention is apparent from opening track ‘Uruguay’, what first seems like an acoustic ballad explodes with a thunderous roar upon the lyrics ‘Uncover the Sky’. This lays the foundations for ‘Dusktime’, with its broad dynamic range; the manic energy of each verse is turned up by a euphoric chorus, before entering a dream-like sequence with the rich, soulful vocals of Meghan Murray. Dusktime offers both ecstasy and introspection; lyrically it wrestles with complex themes like consciousness and putting ‘mind over matter’. Some respite, ‘Misty Morning’ seems to weave a textured sonic atmosphere. The voice floats above a lucid instrumental, that all builds towards climatic end with the lyric ‘just got lost not yet found’. The final track here is ‘Sand’, a dark and unrelenting affair that encourages one to grow acquainted with their demons. In doing so, one brings their fears out of the shadows and into the light.

 ‘Murmurings//ep’ – is a distinctive blend of energetic and thoughtful music with an underlying sense of existential hope. BTW’s songs grapple with fear and isolation, but assuredly outline the potential in knowing one’s darker sides, to put ‘mind over matter’. The result is an ambitious first outing, with sophisticated song arrangements and a reassured conviction.

With the current situation becoming an additional driving force behind creativity and output, expect further new content contributing to BTW’s already diverse repertoire early in 2021.

Murmurings Track Listing:

  1. Uruguay
  2. Dusktime
  3. Misty Morning
  4. Sand

http://beyondthewash.com/
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