Behind the music – Mr Billy Fitzgerald

Mr Billy Fitzgerald has released his new single, Gimme Love. We asked him the BIG questions . . .

We need your consent to load this YouTube contentWe use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

Tell us three things about yourself . . .

I grew up in Sligo and miss it in my bones. I once supported Calvin Harris as a solo act with an acoustic guitar. It went about as well as you can imagine. My brain can’t remember useful things but has near-instant recall of terrible sequel subtitles (Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, The Birds II: Land’s End).

How would you describe your music?

My music sounds like George Michael and Eels jamming on a bunch of Prince covers. And maybe Beck is handing out the drinks. It’s very catchy soul-infused pop with a lot of energy and vocal acrobatics, mixing acoustic guitar with drum machines and synths and lots and lots of backing vocals.

Who are your musical inspirations?

David Byrne, Eels and Beck are three I always point to because each of them have hit me at different times and rewired my brain in different ways. But I’d love to be Gruff Rhys – how that man can make an album like Stainless Style (as Neon Neon) and another like American Interior and have a back catalogue like Super Furry Animal’s is mind-boggling to me.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

First gig was U2 on their PopMart tour at Lansdowne Road in 1997 (every element of that sentence shows my age) but the first gig that properly blew me away was The Frames in Whelan’s on their Dance The Devil tour. I came out of that show wanting to start a band. And I did.

What was the first record you ever bought?

1977 by Ash. A perfect album for the age I was (and the age they were). I don’t think I’ve listened to it in years but I feel like I know every line and every chord on that album. If Goldfinger or Oh Yeah came on the stereo now, I’d be transported back in time.

What’s your favourite song right now?

Probably Broken Man by St Vincent – so scuzzy and dirty with those typically dramatic vocals. She’s firing on all cylinders and pushing the boundaries of what she’s doing and it’s so great to hear. One from earlier this year is American Dream by Donny Benét – I can’t stop listening to that at all.

Favourite lyric of all time?

“My baby calls me the Loch Ness Monster, two great big humps and then I’m gone” from Worm Tamer by Grinderman. It’s not a brilliant song but Nick Cave’s hilarious way with a line is almost unparalleled.

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If you’ll permit me to overthink for a moment, I need a song that can apply to multiple moods and fly the flag for all of music in general. I’m imagining that only one record has survived the impending robot apocalypse and I only take it out once a month to have a listen so I don’t wear out the grooves or start to hate it. In that case: Heartbreaker by Zapp or Too Funky by George Michael.

Where can people find your music/more information?

You can find my music in all the usual places but Instagram is the best place to get to know me – that’s my own little corner of the internet with all my likes and whims on display, for good or ill. Come say hello!

Alan Corr