Single release for Pocket Promise
Joe Laverty, Dominic Coyle and Ciaran McKenna all studied at Northumbria University, but they have another bond that keeps them in touch on a daily basis. |
The band got together in their final year of secondary school and Joe then left to start his Estate Management degree at Northumbria in 2001. Although the other two band mates didn’t join him at Northumbria until 2002, and one never moved to the Toon at all, they made sure that a few minor obstacles like that didn’t stand in their way. Joe tells us “The band stayed together in a fairly incubated state for the next few years. We would often practise in First Avenue Rehearsal Rooms, in Heaton, and a little rehearsal space at the back of the Stevenson Halls”.
The band furthered their taste in music by making nights such as Stone Love (then at Foundation) and Shotgun (in the Cooperage) their regular haunts and sampled the best that Newcastle had to offer in terms of music. “We attended some legendary gigs” Joe explains, “The highlight was probably seeing ‘Seafood’ play like their life depended on it, in Stage 2 at Northumbria Students’ Union, despite there only being about 20 people there to witness it.”
When I asked Joe if Pocket Promise were regular performers on the Newcastle scene he told me that the band only played twice in the city during their university days. Once at The Cumberland Arms and then at The Chillingham Arms, both in Heaton. “We returned in 2007 to support ‘The Frank & Walters’ in the Cluney and ended up sleeping in a van under Byker Bridge that night after our accommodation arrangements fell through.” and the band plan to play for a third time in Newcastle, when they return later this year as part of their tour.
The band are currently preparing for their next gig and their single launch for ‘I Burnt the Roller Disco’ which will take place in Belfast at Auntie Annie’s on 3rd April.
Gigs after that include an acoustic ‘recital’ at Belfast’s Linenhall Library and at the Stiff Kitten also in Belfast. “We plan to promote the single with gigs throughout the UK and Ireland in the coming months and we’re involved in a BBC Radio 1 live session that is being recorded in Belfast on the 6th April, which should be fun.”
Pocket Promise have already recorded their debut album which is due for release early thuis summer. They recorded the album in France with esteemed Irish producer David Odlum who in the past has produced: The Frames, Gemma Hayes, dEUS and Josh Ritter. The music of Pocket Promise has been described as heartfelt, epic, warm, introspective, elating, intriguing and a voyage through emotion, and the band have been compared to The National, Elbow and Broken Social Scene among others.
I was interested to find out how the band had survived the separation of the Irish Sea and Joe gave me a very simple answer. “Belief in our own music is what has kept the band afloat throughout good times and bad. Highs are quickly followed by lows and vice versa, so it’s important to keep strong about what our objectives are.” Joe also told me that fun has a huge part to play in the success of any band. “Music has to be fun and thankfully we have enjoyed every minute so far!”
The band really take pride in what they do and they took this to the next level by setting up their own music label ‘Stop:Go Music’ which they use to release their own material. “We funded the recording ourselves and so we have 100% control over the creative and business sides of the music.”
If you would like further information about the band or to find out when they’ll be performing near you, you can find them on their website www.pocketpromise.com and on MySpace
Date posted: March 27, 2009
