Iann Brennan Talks New Album, His Voice And More

 Iann Brennan is an Irish Indie Rock artist from Dublin, Ireland. Playing guitar from the age of 12 and after spending time in some bands, Iann decided to go solo and one of his first gigs was a support slot to renowned Irish band Aslan. His new album ‘Start As You Mean To Go On’ is out now and we wanted to learn more about the music from the man himself:

When did you begin songwriting?
I began writing songs at the age of 13. I got my first guitar at 12 and then quickly went on from there with singing and writing

What is your earliest musical memory?
I got my first guitar and my 2 younger cousins got a bass and drums and we started playing as a band in dingy rehearsal rooms. Mental times those. Being in a band with family is crazy. I dont know how Kings of Leon do it. But after 10 black eyes, 4 falling outs and 10000 rehearsals we got our first gig and it was awful. Loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change a thing.

Your new album ‘Start As You Mean To Go On’ is out now. How did you want to approach making the album?
I’m not sure I’ve ever intended on it being an album to be honest. It was a collection of songs that came from experiences that have affected me or I’ve witnessed. I wanted to do a 4 track EP and when I approached the producer “Ray Traynor” he said he wanted to hear the 4 songs. I played around 6/7 songs for him and he said “we need to record all of those!”. He called my manager Vinny and told him about the idea of an album and here we are!

Where did you record the album and who produced it?
Produced by “Ray Traynor” at his studio here in Dublin. Its called Jophiel Studios.

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?
My keys player “Derek Mulholland” who has been with me for many years now. We played in a band together years ago and when I left and went solo I approached him and he’s been with me ever since. “Gary Flynn” played some guitar on it. He’s my uncle. “Tony McGuinness” is a legend around these parts. He was the bass player and hit songwriter for Irish legends “Aslan” and he wrote a song for “The Script” which made their first album. “Jay Oglesby” played drums and he is a fucking machine. “Ken Rice” did the strings and he is a total master of his craft.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
First thing is that we bring that connection that is left with the punter when they go home and they keep it in their memories until the next gig. Second thing is that I go backstage, look myself in the mirror and say “well done you remembered all the lyrics”.

One of the tracks is the new single ‘Getaway’. What is the story/inspiration behind the track?

This music for this song came from an experiment with different guitar tunings. I tune my low E up to G and I put a capo on the first fret which makes a really cool tone. I was showing Del one night at a rehearsal and he came up with the piano riff and it sounded out of this world. Phones came out and recorded it instantly. The lyrics came from a feeling I had of wanting to escape with that one special person. It’s quite an emotional song really and the strings are beautiful which really adds to the emotion.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?
It was filmed and directed by Frame It Productions. Mich Behan is the director. He also did my last video “Game Over”. He is stellar. I had the idea of black and white and he had the idea of a 90s Ireland. It fits stupidly well and I love it.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I’m a bit of a guitar nerd to be honest. My main guitars are my acoustic Epiphone Inspired by Gibson SJ200, My electric Gibson ES345 and Epiphone Les Paul Classic, My amp is a Victory – The Super Jack, My pedals are Boss TU3 Waza – Keeley Compressor – Full Tone FullDrive 2 – Weehbo SLO Drive – TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate – Strymon Iridium (for a backup to my amp) – Boss DD3 – Strymon Cloudburst – Wampler Decibel. My Acoustic board is Polytune Tuner – Boss VE2 – Boss GE7 – TC Electronic BodyRez – TC Electronic HOF – Wampler Decibel. So hard to choose a favourite! Having a ton of fun with the cloudburst reverb at the moment.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
My hometown is Finglas here in North County Dublin. I’ve written a song that was inspired about growing up there and its on the album so the 5 words ill say are the song title “Can We Let It Go?”

How do you look after your voice?
Steaming is a great way to look after your voice. Always do vocal warm ups, that’s key! Sleep is a major thing also.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
Not much for books to be honest. But I have dabbled in that world. Went to Griffith College here in Dublin to study that. Fascinating world that

Who created/designed the album artwork?
The album was designed by “Steve Averill”, renowned U2, Elvis Costello and many others album artwork designer. Genius that man. Photo was taken by my manager’s brother “Tom Lawlor”. Amazing photographer.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
I grew up listening to Oasis, Stereophonics, Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys and many others. Music wise, I’ve never actually heard a record sound as good as Because of the Times by Kings of Leon. The guitars are fucking roaring in that record, It’s a masterpiece of production in my opinion. Writing wise it’s Kelly Jones and Noel Gallagher. Amazing writers.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024?
Yes we have a date coming up in the UK in August in London which we will be announcing in the coming weeks and we have a few dates across Ireland towards the end of the year which we are finalizing! Stay posted for that.

Was it a difficult album to write?
When I realized it was going to be an album then my outlook changed on the project. I changed around some things and wanted to make it feel like a musical journey that will bring you back to places you’ve forgotten. The idea was to make the record sound like Iann Brennan the band and not “Singer Songwriter Iann Brennan”. That term seems to make people think you play a certain type of music. We didn’t want that. This is more of a band than just me.

What makes Iann Brennan happy and what makes you unhappy?
Spending quality family time with my wife and daughter and playing live with the band makes me happy. When I take life too seriously It makes me unhappy and when I don’t get enough sleep. Like a demon! haha!