MacD on Music: The Boys Are Back In Town

Christmas is almost here! It’s that most magical time of the year, when we sit around as a family and watch ‘Die Hard’ by the fire.

Nothing says Christmas more than Alan Rickman interrupting an office Christmas party (I hear he had another Christmas movie later, too, but, let’s be honest, it couldn’t be a patch on ‘Die Hard’). Anyway, in the spirit of the season, this column will have, well, nothing, to do with Christmas, in any way. Sorry. Instead, this week, I’m talking to Boy M5’s Kyle O’Neill. 

Boy M5 began during that brief, unending break the world was forced to take for a while, and have released a number of singles, including ‘Roar by the Shore’, ‘Mountains’ and a cover of the Phil Collins/drumming gorilla classic, ‘In The Air Tonight’.

Following on from the success of these releases, Kyle has been approached by music team from ITV, and this week he talks to me about the origins of the group, what they’ve been up to this past year, and some of the big names they’ve shared the stage with. 

How did Boy M5 first come into being?

Boy M5 started as a musical project during the covid pandemic. I had taken a break from music for a few years and wanted to start fresh under a new name. I used the time during covid to learn more about recording and production so I could do it all for myself. In April 2022, I met Aaron (drummer) and linked back up with Paul (bassist) who I had been in bands with before. We knew from the first practice that there was something special and we've been going strong ever since. Both of them are phenomenal musicians who I am privileged to share a stage with. 

Who would you say have been your biggest musical influences?

My biggest musical influences include Glen Hansard, Dermot Kennedy, and closer to home Roe. Their music has always resonated with me and continues to inspire me. Growing up, my house was filled with the sounds of Bryan Adams, Meatloaf, and Bon Jovi. In addition, the three of us have a love for cheesy 80s/90s bangers and often listen to them for fun and inspiration.

What have been some personal career highlights to date?

Some of my personal career highlights include sharing the stage with artists like Dermot Kennedy, Orla Gartland, Kodaline, and Mickey Harte. I've also been lucky enough to perform at some amazing venues and festivals. In addition, I recently built my own commercial recording studio, Egg House Studios, which has been a dream come true.

You work quite a bit with Cora Harkin. How did that come about?

I met Cora's dad/manager through a mutual friend and was blown away by her talent. She's only 14 and already an incredibly talented musician. Myself, Paul, and Aaron decided to join her for a gig and had a great time, so you may see more of us collaborating in the future.

How’s 2022 been for you?

2022 has been a whirlwind for us. In just eight months, we've recorded and released material, headlined some great venues, and even did our own Ireland/Northern Ireland tour. We've been overwhelmed by the response from fans and are grateful for the support we've received. We're looking to keep the momentum going into 2023 and have some exciting plans in the works.

Have you got much in store for next year?

We're really excited for what's coming up next year. We've been working hard in the studio and have a lot of new music to share with our fans. We're also planning another tour, which is always a highlight for us. We're always looking for ways to connect with our fans and bring our music to new places, and a tour is the perfect way to do that. We're also working on some other exciting projects, but we don't want to give too much away just yet. Suffice to say that we're looking forward to a busy and productive year.

Anyone else you think we should be keeping an eye on?

There are so many talented artists out there, and it's always exciting to discover new music. In addition to our friend Cora Harkin, we're big fans of Hard to Explain, Lavengro, Clodagh May, Parker, Cherym, and Susie Blue. These artists all have unique styles and a lot of potential, and we think they're definitely worth checking out. We're always on the lookout for new music, and these artists are definitely ones to watch.

So, that’s it for another week.

There is no article next week, so, Touts are playing Bennigan’s on Boxing Day. It should be a great gig, and may even feature an appearance from Shane MacGowan (or, at least, his new teeth).

Anyway, Merry Christmas from everyone at MacDonMusic (aka me).