Brass Phantoms – Post punk five-piece release fourth single
By Aideen O'Flaherty
UP-AND-COMING post punk five-piece Brass Phantoms weave commanding vocals with jangly guitar strains in their songs, with a latent darkness that gives their sound a unique edge.
The band, which is fronted by Ballyfermot College of Further Education graduate Ryan Cashell, has received airplay on BBC6 Music and their song ‘City of Wolves’ was used by RTE for their UEFA Champions League adverts.
Brass Phantoms
Now the quintet are looking ahead to the release of their fourth single, ‘Disciples’, at the end of this month, before they hit the road as the support act for The Delorentos’ Irish tour in April.
Ryan took some time out to speak to The Echo about his time in Ballyfermot College, how Brass Phantoms came to be, and what we can expect from ‘Disciples’.
What’s your best memory of studying in Ballyfermot College?
My best memories would have to be the classes I had with Pete Holidai as the lecturer, or cycling through the Phoenix Park every day to get to college.
How did Brass Phantoms begin?
James [Geraghty, guitar] and I met each other in secondary school, he was the year below me and we had neighbouring lockers. We were writing together for a long time before we found Adam [McCabe, drums] and it was at one of Adam’s parties when I got to meet Greg [Whelan, guitar] for the first time, bonding over similar music tastes. Last year, we recruited Colleen [Heavey] for backing vocals and synth, who James met while he was studying in BIMM.
As you’ve mentioned on your Facebook page, brass isn’t really a component of your music – what prompted you to choose the name Brass Phantoms?
I really liked the idea of naming the band ‘something’ Phantoms. One night I was watching a film with an orchestral soundtrack and thought it would be funny if the band had a brass section, playing in the background of every recording and gig, but you just couldn’t see or hear them. So it came to be ‘Brass Phantoms’. It’s more of a weird inside joke within the band rather than anything else!
You’ve received major radio airplay and recognition for your sound, how does it feel to know that your music is being heard by so many people?
It’s incredible! We’re grateful of the support we receive from Irish radio and the BBC. It’s a really bizarre moment hearing yourself on the radio for the first time, and it’s so difficult to imagine how many people are actually listening out there while you’re on.
Your new single ‘Disciples’ is out on March 23, how would you describe the sound of the song?
‘Disciples’ will be a little more experimental than our previous tracks. It’s more electronic and darker. It’s probably my favourite song that we’ve written.
What has the feedback you’ve been getting about your music been like so far?
People seem to be really enjoying it, we have received pretty good reviews for our tracks with the main compliments being about our atmospheric sound.
What response do you hope people will have when they listen to a Brass Phantoms song or go to one of your gigs?
To feel whatever it is that’s in the middle of joy and introspection. Oh, and to want to dance at any of our upcoming dates!
‘Disciples’ was released on Friday, March 23, and you can keep up-to-date with Brass Phantoms and see their upcoming tour dates by visiting www.brassphantoms.com or following the band’s Facebook page.
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