Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE WORLD IS THEIR OYSTER
IRISH indie rockers The Academic have already clocked up millions of hits online, toured the States and sold out Vicar Street all before releasing their debut album.
Some 12 months after recording their first album Tales From The Backseat in Los Angeles and London’s Abbey Road Studios, the Westmeath band are today celebrating its launch and gearing up for an explosive 2018.
The talented four-piece is made up of Craig Fitzgerald, 24, on lead vocals/guitar alongside Stephen Murtagh, 22, on bass and older brother Matt Murtagh, 24, on lead guitar and Dean Gavin, 23, on drums.
Since forming in secondary school in Mullingar’s Rochfortbridge, the band have enjoyed a meteoric rise since releasing their debut EP Loose Friends over two years ago.
A Choice Music Prize nomination for their debut single Different was followed by sold out shows and tours across Ireland, the UK and Europe, millions of streams online, and radio airplay across the world with their hit song Bear Claws.
Frontman Fitzgerald told The Beat how they knew they were on to a winner when the track came together.
“Bear Claws is one of our oldest songs. It’s still being played on the radio and it got song of the year. We were always big fans of that song, we had a gut feeling it would do well.”
Hugely influenced by the early 2000 indie rock scene, the band’s 33 minute indie pop debut Tales From The Backseat is a fitting tribute to their idols.
“We owe a lot to music that we love and have been influenced by. We would never say we’re trying to reinvent the wheel.
“We’re big fans of early 2000 indie rock scene. The Strokes, The Killers and Vampire Weekend would be a big one.
“That’s really where we got our music pallate from and we enjoy that pop rock cross over and guitar music.”
The Academic even got to share the stage with The Strokes, Beck and Future Islands among others at a huge Hyde Park gig in
London in 2015.
“We were invited to play in Hyde Park with The Strokes. We met Albert Hammond very briefly. It was one of those scary moments, a very strange feeling. That was a big day for us, we played a show and then watched The Strokes,” said Fizgerald.
“We hung out with Future Islands at that show and they were really chilled out and obviously hard working.
“They gave us some great advice, work hard, keep going and take it day by day. It’s simple but it’s the best advice. A couple of them even came to watch us play which was very sweet and nice.”
Last year the lads were living the rock‘n’roll dream, touring the vast US in a beat up van.
“That was amazing. We always dreamt of driving a rugged van through America. It was full of great dodgy hotels and long drives.
“We loved it because getting to see a new place everyday is amazing. The shows were brilliant. We’re going back in February to do our own headline tour kicking off in the east coast. That’s a real landmark for us, we’re very excited.”
The singer said the secret to the band’s success is their longrunning friendship.
“We’re always asked what it’s like having Matthew and Stephen the brothers in the band but we’ve all literally grown up in each other’s pockets. We know each other so well and no one is afraid to say how they are feeling.
“I really think friendship is a really big part of our band and it makes life in the band very easy.”
Although he paints an idyllic Almost Famous picture of life on the road, Fitzgerald’s steely determination is palpable.
Having quit college, the band, who have a US publishing contract and Warner Ireland distribution deal, are determined to work as hard as possible to earn a living from music.
Hot on the heels of announcing their biggest headline show to date at Iveagh Gardens (July 20) in Dublin, they have also booked their biggest international headline tour to date taking in the US, UK and Europe.
“Choosing a life in music is risky but we are blessed to say that the band is keeping us working and giving us the opportunity to do what we love,” explained Fitzgerald.
“It’s a really nice feeling to know that from the start of the year it’s going to be all music for the whole year and more.”
Fitzgerald noted that Irish guitar music is having another moment and their pals Otherkin’s debut album has been nominated for the Choice Music Prize 2017. Otherkin work really hard and that’s what you have to do as a band now. You have to get out there and just play as many shows, matter who is there. I think bands like Otherkin and hopefully ourselves are setting an example for people who want to do it. It is outthere, you just have to go and grab it.”