Colm Donnelly is an Irish singer-songwriter who moved to Vancouver in 2016. He’s fronted a few different bands, but he’s recently embarked upon a solo career, releasing new track Money in October. It’s a pretty unique piece of work, encompassing a few different genres into one package. Why not try it at the end of this interview to see what you think?
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track called Money. What can you tell us about the record?
Money is my first song as a solo artist. It is a tale about financial stress. It feels like the cost of everything has spiked out of control recently. I tried to write it using humour and I hope people can relate and enjoy.
How has the reception to Money been so far, and where can the track be purchased?
I think its been received pretty well. I think some of my friends thought it was a dramatic departure from the indie punkish sound of my old band Bute Street, but that’s the reason I picked the most left field track first. You can hear it on all streaming platforms. I also have a Bandcamp but there haven’t been many sales, to be honest.
Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?
I recorded 2 more tracks at the same time as Money. One is a Gorillaz-influenced toe tapper and the other is a country and western-ish tale of a bloodthirsty drug dealer. All 3 tracks contain humour but sound very different. I’ll release them individually in the new year after the Xmas madness.
Are there any plans to release an album or EP anytime soon?
I would love to do an album but I think realistically I’ll do one song at a time on my own dime. I’m gonna rehearse a band for the next project however. I like the songs I’ve done but I think a real full band adds so much, I so will use some friends in the future.
Are you looking forward to the holiday season? What does a typical Christmas look like in your household?
Yes I’m looking forward to Xmas. I’m the father of 4 year old twin boys so I’m pretty much in the golden Christmas years now. We are having dinner at a friend’s house. We all immigrants so we all hang out on special occasions as our families live so far away. No cooking for me this year.
Money has a very unique vibe. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?
In 2023 my most played bands have been The Beaches, from Toronto, and Hers from England, who unfortunately passed away – I found out after listening to them for months. They didn’t influence any of these tracks, but for future songs I’d say they will be in there. I like a lot of modern songs but these 2 acts have a strength and depth I’ve not found from anyone else in years.
You’re based in Vancouver but you’re originally from Ireland. What prompted the move? What’s the local music scene like with you?
I moved to Vancouver in 2016 because my girlfriend suggested it. She’s now my wife and the mother of my twin boys. The music scene is good here. I do a lot of cover gigs for money and the atmosphere is always good. There’s more opportunity here than in Belfast too. I know a few Irish songwriters doing well with original music here like Paul Caldwell, so there’s a vibrant Irish scene.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
I plan on doing lots of cover gigs so I can justify more recording in the new year, ha. I’ve a million ideas but not millions of pounds to record them all. I’m hoping to get a band together to record some songs. That’s what I love. The rest is a necessary evil or a pain in the hole as we say in Belfast.
I’m hoping for some funding towards recording a project so fingers crossed.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Nothing planned in the UK or Ireland. I’m home for my mums 60th in January and someone might get a guitar out at 2am then, but that would be the height of it, haha. And I won’t charge.
Any last words for the fans?
Check out Money and follow me on your streaming service. Thanks for your time.