MacD on Music: Talk Innuendo

Music journalism is a job full of unpredictability. Sometimes, things happen very quickly, other times it’s months or even years between that first conversation with an artist/band and the article actually coming into being.

Today, I’m talking to Dan McAllister of Our Survey Says. This one has been a long time in the making, with our initial communications happening in September 2023 about the group’s then-new EP ‘Usain Bolt’ (out now on Bandcamp and all good streaming services).

Due to various reasons on both our parts, it took until November last year to actually get an interview done, and in those two years the band recorded and released another new EP, ‘Talk Innuendo’ (also out now), and it’s taken until now for that interview to reach these fine pages.

Now, enjoy my chat with Dan about the band and the EP: “I’ve been playing guitar since I was about twelve, so about thirty years ago. I started taking recording seriously around 2014, and did an EP in Belfast with a studio that’s now shut down, then I’ve done three EPs, the latest of which is ‘Talk Innuendo in Manor Park Studios.”

Speaking about his main influences: “My favourite band of all time is the Manic Street Preachers, followed by the Beatles. Musically, we’ve got that Mersey sound throughout the EP. I spent five years in Liverpool. I went to university there and it’s probably rubbed off a bit. I’m a big fan of The La’s. I really like their sound.”

I asked next about potential gigs: “I want to start off in Belfast. We’d love to play in Derry, in Sandino’s and Bennigan’s. I’ve been recommended those two places. Maybe an Irish tour would be on the cards?”

Next, we spoke about other local artists he’s into: “I like Beauty Sleep, then I’m going to the 4 of Us. Paddy Nash too, I quite like his stuff with the Happy Enchiladas. I’ve always been into local music. Co.uk were from Lisburn, where I’m from. They were set for big things but disintegrated, as bands do. I love Ash, Divine Comedy, The Undertones…”

I asked next about plans for the future: “We’re going to make a video for ‘Talk Innuendo’ in February, I think, and play gigs, but I’ve got to get over stage fright. I’m looking to possibly work with another producer. I’ve done three with Neal [Calderwood] and he’s amazing, but I want to get a different input in the future.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

“I’ve been looking at maybe going across the water to England to record, because there’s a lot more producers there compared to here, but it’s just working out the finances for that kind of thing.”

After that, I asked if there’s anyone in particular he’d like to work with in the future: “Dave Eringa, who produced Idlewild and the Manics. I have been in touch with him, and he sent back a lovely message about the ‘Usain Bolt’ EP, but he hasn’t got back to me about the ‘Talk Innuendo’ one. I’d love to work with him.”

Lastly, some closing thoughts on Derry: “I’ve a fondness for Derry. I watched ‘A City Dreaming’ [the 2014 documentary with Gerry Anderson] and every time I’ve been there I’ve really enjoyed myself. I bought Rage Against the Machine and Sgt. Pepper in Virgin Megastore in Foyleside, so I always remember buying those two albums in Derry. ‘A City Dreaming’ was a good show. It kind of showed how it shaped Gerry Anderson into the character he was, and showed you the character of the people of the city.”

And that’s it from Dan McAllister. Our Survey Says’s EP ‘Talk Innuendo’ is out now on Bandcamp and all good streaming services.

Now, onto other business. This Saturday will see the brilliant REFLECT take the stage in Bennigan’s for their first Derry headliner. Before that, though, they’ll be releasing their new single ‘Bulletproof’. The song is “a taster of their upcoming EP ‘Feeling Everything’.  The action-packed track draws primarily from indie, with jangly guitars and catchy hooks, but still carries that punch that REFLECT has now become known for”.

“While the single is relatively ‘safe’ and in line with the band's output so far, the remainder of the EP is anything but.  ‘Feeling Everything’ will be the first release from the group where they give full rein to their heavier influences.  These are especially apparent in the last two tracks, where vocalist Tay Layno truly shows off her versatility with visceral fry screams, a contrast to her popstar-like performances on previous tracks”.

I’ll be speaking to REFLECT in the next couple of months, but until then, you can stream their singles so far (‘For Me’, ‘Wasting My Time’ and ‘Ocnus’) on all good streaming services, plus ‘Bulletproof’, which is out tomorrow. They’ll be playing Bennigan’s on Saturday with support from Jet Black Tulips and The Waiting Room Magazines. Tickets are £8 plus booking fee on skiddle.com and doors are 9pm.

And now, time for the socials. REFLECT can be found on Instagram @reflectbelfast and Dan McAlister @dan.mcalister.