Their traditional-sounding country music, combined with fun jive, waltz, and line dance elements, is sure to get you moving.
Brisbane based country music band the Blue Shamrocks has just released ‘Through the Years’, a heartfelt and timeless sounding track that combines traditional waltz and country styles with a subtle blues edge.
Following on from their singles ‘Weekend Stroll’ and ‘Gypsy Time’, ‘Through the Years’ is taken from their forthcoming album ‘NTSH: Nothin’ to See Here’ due for release in February 2024.
In February 2024, theBlueShamrocks will release their second album, “NTSH Nothing To See Here,” which features original material that is buoyant, joyous, and full of energy. The album showcases the band’s dedication to their music and their commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment.
The band’s music is produced by Brisbane producer James North, and it has an unmistakable universal appeal. The upbeat sound is both charming and robust, and it stands out against the various music styles of today.
The members of theBlueShamrocks come from a variety of musical backgrounds, including country, rock, orchestral, and jazz. Their combined experience and talents create a unique and exciting sound that is sure to please fans of all genres.
Check out theBlueShamrocks today and get ready to tap those toes!
Interview with Sam
What first got you into music?
I have been involved with music from an early age, with singing, playing piano and guitar, music has always been a very strong interest right through our family.
Who inspired you to make music?
When I return to Ireland, the dance halls, mainly played country styled music with sets of jive and waltz tunes, watching various bands and the enjoyment from the various music styles, was a major factor of working towards my own band creation in Australia
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Mainly country music, I like my lyrics to be upbeat, or have a story line that gives tunes a story book meaning. The goal is to have audience members at least want to tap their toes for jive and waltz tunes.
What is your creative process like?
I normally have a book with me, if I hear words, or sentences that spark the immigration, I write these down. When I write lyrics to a tune, I look for a beginning, middle and end to a story, and fill in the blanks with hopefully some well meaning wit.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
I would be grateful to open for any major artist, mainly in the country music arena.
Where have you performed? What is your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
As a newish band, in the last 12 months we have performed in Brisbane at The Old Museum, Wavell Club Chermside as self managed shows, plus at the Venue ‘It’s Still A Secret’ Brisbane. We were to perform at James Blundell’s Campout in December, however this has been put back due to the threat of adverse bush fire conditions, currently seeking additional venues.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
I am not a fan of the various musical platforms on the internet, theBlueShamrocks 1st album was on or is still syndicated on the majority of platforms, however I suggest for audiences to follow us on Spotify, Facebook or from our web page, theBlueShamrocks new music will only be available from our web site or as a hard copy from live performances.
What is your favorite song to perform?
Any of the tunes from both our albums, TTT Tap Those Toes or NTSH Nothin To See Here. However, we have added a tune called Say You love Me which was written by Robert Mizzell which is one of my real favorites.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
My favorites are the older country stars, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Don Williams, Crystal Gale both male and female artists from this area
What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?
I think with our version of new material has a more jive country style, over some of the more established “pop genre” acts, our style will evolve however the core idea of jive and waltz will always be the focus.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”?
I have always loved my music, I grew up in the “glam rock” years, where the musicians were outrageous in dress code and performance ability, these are still some of my best memories of. “I would like to do this”.
What does your music say about you?
We are a creative fun band, hardworking and to date we have had a good work ethic to get to the level of performance where we are.
Of your own music, do you have a favorite? If so, can you pin down why?
Our next album which the single “Through The Years” comes from , this album is our first attempt at writing our own lyrics, and I am very pleased with the result.
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?
The single “Through The Years” will be released in November, following up with the album launch in February, we are currently seeking performance and exposure from any direction that it will come from. Future performances will update on our web page www.theblueshamrocks.com where there also is a mailing list for people to join.
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
I have numerous songs that are in stages of completion, however I need to see our band having planned stage performances before the additional expense of recording more music. We should not lose direction, as a 6-piece band this is a business, the focus needs to be on a satisfactory performance goal for all.
What is your biggest musical challenge?
Maintaining a 6 piece band, following the creation of the music, locating band members, everything involved around rehearsals and presentation to move us forward, trying to locate venues within a local region where we are able to perform. Costs are prohibitive when travel and overnight stays becomes part of the routine.
‘Through the Years’ is a song that is sure to resonate with many, utilising a poignant, personal lyric with powerful emotionally charged melodies and a seductively joyous classic feel. Exploring themes of family and the lasting connections that span time, ‘Through the Years’, is sprinkled with optimism and generosity, a track that’s sure to attract many music lovers of all ages across the globe.
Primarily adopting a waltz feel, ‘Through the Years’ nonetheless feels remarkably fresh and relevant. As the band has said about the subject matter of the song:
‘The lyrics were written with the thought of people who live in Australia and people who move to Australia, who move around this vast country to pursue a “better” life, where family reunions at times are difficult to arrange, for the good or bad times in life. For the years that follow the comfort of family bonds remains with us forever’.
There is a gentle and almost whimsical flavour to the band’s sound, utilising traditional elements and sounds, such as guitars, fiddle, accordion and drums to create a mellow background to the pertinent narrative of the song. ‘Through the Years’ has a celebratory feel, as it delves into the deepest longings that span lives and time. It’s effortlessly soothing, this is achieved via a splendidly warm and soulful vocal performance from lead vocalist Sam.
‘Through the Years’ is a poetically sweet, lullaby-like song that’s sure to resonate with young and old and everyone in between, it touches on universal themes of love, family and life.
Find The Blue Shamrocks on their website https://www.theblueshamrocks.com/ or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueShamrocks
