Sean O’hagan

Microdisney and The High Llamas’ songwriter Sean O’hagan is back on these shores for a mini Irish tour. O’hagan has also worked with English-french pop band Stereolab and has collaborated with Paul Weller, Super Furry Animals, Doves among others. His shows will focus on his most acclaimed High Llamas classics from the hit albums Santa Barbara, Hawaii and Gideon Gaye. The Dublin show also features a return of Dublin band Sack (below). O’hagan also plays the Cricket Club in Cork on Sunday. The Beat caught up with O’hagan ahead of his Irish dates.

The Beat: What’s new?

Well, in the world outside music, a lot of hardship this month in the UK but a revitalised UK Labour Party makes me happy. Just delivered some nice odd music for Musicity. Kind of electronic instructive music. Trying to write in the hottest weather since 1976.

The Beat: When is the next gig?

My next gig is in The Grand Social in Dublin on Saturday July 1, with Sack.

The Beat: What has been your best gig so far?

My happiest solo show was in Lyon last March. I played on a large red steamer boat, moored in the centre of the city. A warm spring evening and an enchanted crowd made me feel welcome and appreciated.

The Beat: Tell us about your new/latest record?

The High Llamas put out a record called Here Come The Rattling Trees. This is the music to a stage show I wrote set in Peckham, my home, exploring six strange stories from Peckham through music. It has been performed with a small cast for two short runs in London. It’s wonderful to try reinvent your creative ability. It keeps you interested.

The Beat: Describe you music in one sentence.

My music is driven by melody and should leave the listener asking questions but also feeling physically transformed by a series of affecting chords and lyrical images.

The Beat: What are you listening to at the moment?

Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera and Mulatu Astatke New Yorkaddis - London

The Beat: What Irish acts do you rate?

Pugwash, David Holmes, Martin Hayes, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin What has been your favourite moment as a musician? Perhaps being in the Studio with Cathal Coughlan in 1982 making Microdisney’s first single Hello Rascals. You can never replace that first feeling of achievement. Back then, the studio was a rare and precious experience. Now, digital recording has introduced this experience to the many.

The Beat: What’s in store for you for the rest of 2017?

This Irish solo Tour. More touring in France and Germany. Musicity, a musical project with Royal Institute of British Architects. Recording with Cabane (a Belgian film and music band) and possibly recording with a historical, brilliant Brazilian legend. Writing new music for a new LP.