Robyn G. Shiels’ 2005 debut LP ‘A Lifetime of Midnights’ does not suggest that he’d be a happy drunk. In broad terms, Shiels occupies the same alt-country saloon as Will Oldham and Smog. His fragile, melancholic songs are delivered over a sparse backing of guitars, piano and faint slurred drumming. Midnight music. Whiskey Music. Heartache Music.
Singles ‘We Are of Evil’ and ‘Playing Host to Ideas’, released on Belfast based No Dancing Records, claimed widespread media attention, securing sessions with Huw Stephen’s at BBC Maida Vale studios in London, and sending Robyn off as far as Venice and Prague, alongside the likes of Palace Brothers, Van Morrison, Richard Hawley, David Holmes and Cat Power.
A slot at Club NME in London’s Koko Club followed, along with a live session for LA based radio station Indie 103.1FM. Following a scheduled European tour, and a visit to New York City later this year, Robyn returns to the studio to record his eagerly anticipated second album, due for release in 2008.
‘Beautifully bleak, but absolutely full of emotion. Amazingly, this is his debut release; words fail me.’
Mike Diver, Editor, Drowned in Sound
‘Unlike countless other releases that name check the likes of Will Oldham, Low and Red House Painters as musical references, this is a record that can withstand – and I’d argue surpass – those comparisons with ease.’
Matt Dornan, Editor, Comes With a Smile
‘Our American friends are hip to the Appalachian sounds that we originally shipped out of Ulster, a few centuries back. And here’s Robyn, stealing it back.’
Stuart Bailie, Oh Yeah!
'We Are of Evil' Promo by Tim Newell
"Change is at Hand"
Short film by Seamus Harahan
