The Stoles debut album set for release
Aideen O'Flaherty
ROCK trio The Stoles are gearing up for the release of their debut album Age of Deception next month, which will tackle topics as diverse as social media addiction and the damning effect of the spreading of misinformation.
The band, which consists of Antonio Derosas on vocals and bass, Andrea Crusco on guitar and vocals and Tallaght man Ciaran O’Neill on drums, lists The Beatles, Nirvana and Royal Blood as their influences.
Drummer Ciaran, who grew up in Springfield but now lives in Firhouse, plays a key part in the band’s grungy, frazzled sound with his infectious drumming.
The past pupil of St Mark’s Community School told The Echo about how drumming became his passion, how Age of Deception was made and the impact he and his bandmates hope the album will have.
What’s your best memory of growing up in Tallaght?
The people. There was a great sense of community in the area I lived in at the time, everyone seemed to know everyone.
What prompted you to become a drummer?
The potential to make a lot of noise! I suppose drumming just came very naturally to me. I’ve been in a few different bands over the years and played various different roles in each. I started off as a lead singer and guitarist, then I was a bass player, and then I decided to give the drums a go and almost instantly I just felt very comfortable behind a set of drums. I just felt at home there and I’d never felt that way when I was a lead singer or bassist so I decided it might be wise to stick with the drums.
You released your single ‘Evelyn’ during the summer, which dealt with the impact social media has on relationships. Did you feel it was important to write a song about that topic?
We did feel it was important to write something about that, because it’s relevant to pretty much all of us these days. It’s so easy to get sucked into and lost in the world of social media without even knowing it. The image of everyone at a live music concert with their eyes glued to their mobile phones springs to mind. Instead of enjoying every second of the band they love who are performing live in front of them they feel the need to watch the entire live show through their mobile phone. Don’t get me wrong, social media can be a great thing, but when it starts dictating your life that’s not a good thing. Real life happens all around you and it’s easy to miss the things that really matter if your eyes are fixed on a screen all the time. It’s good to disconnect and live in the moment.
Your album Age of Deception is out next month. Considering the state of world politics at the moment, and the deception that social media can bring, would you view your album as being a snapshot of the world at this point in time?
Yes, I think so. It certainly feels like an album that catches a particular vibe that’s very relevant to what’s happening in the world today.
How long have you been working on the album?
It took us about five months to write and arrange all of the songs on the album. The actual recording process was a lot quicker, we got everything recorded in four days and then spent four months working with a great Dublin-based producer called Modest Prophet on the production and mixing of each track. Once that was done and we were happy with how everything was sounding, we sent the album off to be mastered and that was that.
What do you hope people will take away from your music?
If our music can stir something in a person – whether that be an emotion, a thought, a memory, or even inspire someone to pick up a musical instrument or start singing – then I think that person has taken something positive from the music we are creating.
Age of Deception will be released on February 9, and the band will play a show that night in The Loft venue of The Grand Social to celebrate the album release. Follow The Stoles on Facebook or www.thestoles.com
