MacD on Music: More Pieces Of Pilosa

Concept albums. History is filled with them. The Who gave us ‘Tommy’, about a deaf, dumb and blind pinball wizard. The Lemon Twigs gave us ‘Go to School’, the story of a chimpanzee found in the forest and raised as a human child. Richard Harris gave us ‘My Boy’, which tells the tale of the rise and fall of a relationship, from first meeting to divorce.

This week, I’m talking to James Tomlinson, frontman for the band PILOSA, who will soon be adding their debut album ‘The Runaway Queen’ to this fine tapestry of musical stories. The album, produced by the Brian Martin McMonagle (of the Big Electric Ceili Band fame), tells the story of sloth princess Annarosa and her escape into the human world after the death of her mother, Queen April of Pilosa.

I spoke to James about the making of the album, due to be released on the 27th April: “The album’s been in the works for four years now. It’s a collection of twelve songs and I see it in three parts. I think part one, the songs are kind of a sombre tone and are sort of about grief and the fear of responsibility.

“Part two is a hedonistic phase for the character, in which she overindulges in human culture. Part three is her looking back and confronting her misadventures and her own flaws.

“It’s funny releasing singles from the album because they’re selected from different parts of the stories. Our most recent single, ‘Window to Wall’, is very much set in that domestic bliss adopted by the character when she moves to the human dwelling. The one that came before, ‘I Don’t Want to Inherit The Earth’, was very much from part one.

“I think the album comes from my need as an artist to use fiction to process emotion and I think a lot of people share that need.

“That’s why I think the album could do people good to listen to. Although it’s the story of a sloth princess abandoning a jungle Queendom, it’s also about themes of growing up and confronting your own dharma.”

PILOSA’s current line-up features James on guitar and vocals, Ryan Holmes on drums, Rosa Walsh on bass and Jack Quigg on guitar. Also featured on the album are former band members James Graham (guitar) and Tom Carlin (drums).

The album will be released on April 27 with a launch gig that night in BarZu featuring support from Rachel Craig and Little Kings. It’s sure to be a great night of music so be sure to get your tickets while you still can.

Record Store Day

Now, onto other business. This Saturday is a truly magical day, a day all music lovers look forward to every year: Record Store Day.

I spoke to Lee Mason, owner of Derry’s only local record shop Cool Discs about this year’s event: “This is the biggest single day for Independent record stores. It is now our busiest weekend of the year. It shines a light on those record shops that support the artists and bands week in week out-a celebration of the culture of the bricks and mortar shop and our place in our local community.”

Cool Discs, which has been in Foyle Street for over 28 years now, is recognised as one of the best independent record shops in the country and have been proudly participating in RSD since 2008.

Some of the brilliant releases this year include an exclusive seven-inch single from Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahn, as well as exclusive releases from The Doors, David Bowie, Blur, the 1975, Paramore, David Bowie, Sinead O’Connor, Talking Heads, Neil Young and many, many more.

Cool Discs is the only place in Derry to find these releases, many of which are limited to a few hundred copies pressed worldwide.

For the full list visit recordstoreday.co.uk or call into Cool Discs for more information.

This year, Lee and co. have gone through more than four hundred releases and will have many of the most sought after titles. The best ones always fly off the shelves fast so be sure to be there early as it’s first come first served.

On top of this, there will be a number of freebies available throughout the day as well as raffles for some brilliant prizes.

Also, this Friday, henceforth known as Record Store Day Eve, sees the release of Taylor Swift’s new album ‘The Tortured Poet’s Department’ which will be released on a limited vinyl edition, also exclusively in Cool Discs.

Finally Record Store Day Eve also sees the release of Cora Harkin’s brilliant new single ‘Your Sweet Veronica’, available now for pre-save.

Cool Discs can be found on Facebook and Instagram @cooldiscs. They can also be found at their website shop.cooldiscsmusic.com. More information about Record Store Day can be found at recordstoreday.co.uk.

Pilosa can be found @pilosa_music. Their debut album ‘The Runaway Queen’ will be out on April 27 with a gig in BarZu that night featuring support from Rachel Craig and Little Kings.