The Answer Talk Latest Single, Album And More

Northern Irish rock band The Answer will perform a headline show in London in June 2024 having previously released their single ‘Put Your Money On Me’. Frontman Cormac Neeson kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to talk with us:

Who is in The Answer, what do they play and how did you meet?

We’re a rock band influenced by soul and blues music. We met in Queens Uni in Belfast although Mick and Paul (bass and guitar) were childhood friends.

Your latest album ‘Sundowners’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

This was our first album after Covid so we wanted to have fun and make it as real and as live as possible. We also wanted to make a record that would hopefully make people feel good and forget about any daily struggles or worries while they listen to the songs. Just zone out and enjoy the good vibes.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Belfast. Bit too proud of the titanic….sorry that’s six words.

 You have released your new single ‘Put Your Money On Me’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

We wrote the music first so the lyrics kind of feed off the groove and the vibe of the music. But it’s a song about commitment and going all in with someone or something you can’t live without.

Do you have any interesting, memorable or funny stories from the album recording sessions?

It was a real joy actually from start to finish. Because we hadn’t been in the studio for a while it felt like a family reunion or something like that. There was a lot of tequila floating around and we discovered Buckfast Mead as Buckfast Abbey was just down the road…absolute rocket fuel. All this helped to create a fun and creative atmosphere for sure.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

We want to make people feel good and remind them that a live gig can be a powerful, spiritual experience.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I’m a singer so I travel light. I’ve a tambourine that’s about to fall apart like a really old car and a nice collection of harmonicas but apart from that I leave the heavy lifting to the musicians.

How do you look after your voice?

I do a bit of vocal coaching so I try and practice what I preach with warm ups and good technique when I’m on stage. But I don’t let good vocal health get in the way of a good time either.

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

Absolutely. We’ve got a cool London show in June and few festivals over the summer.

What makes The Answer happy and what makes you unhappy?

Playing gigs where the audience is clearly loving life, writing songs, drinking buckfast Mead. The thought of not playing gigs, writing songs or drinking buckfast Mead makes me quite upset.