Director (band)
Encyclopedia
Director are an award-winning Irish
art rock
quartet from Malahide
in County Dublin
. The band's members are Michael Moloney (vocals/guitars), Eoin Aherne (guitars), Shea Lawlor (drums) and Rowan Averill (bass guitar).
Director have gained moderate popularity within Ireland and the United Kingdom, through their debut album and touring both on their own and as a support act for bands such as Hard-Fi
, Goo Goo Dolls
who they supported on their UK Let Love In
tour, The Fratellis
and Razorlight
.
vision", having been educated in college; Moloney studied classical composition. They have been likened to Joy Division
due to their "monochrome sound". They have also been praised for reproducing the "clipped, emotional blankness" of Wire
. They were influenced by The Smiths
and Interpol
. The debut album, We Thrive on Big Cities, has been compared to the music of bands such as The Feelies
, Mission of Burma
, Television
, Pere Ubu
and Pixies, whilst second album I'll Wait for Sound drew comparisons to Depeche Mode
and New Order
.
Moloney encountered rapper Snoop Dogg
backstage during the band's debut at Oxegen
, later describing a nod from the man as having "made my weekend".
" which led to a music video. It was released in Ireland and the UK on 26 April 2006. It was to be the first of three singles to reach the Irish Top Thirty Chart and stayed in the Irish chart for twelve weeks. The success of the single led to the band opening the Main Stage at Oxegen 2006
.
Director's debut album, We Thrive on Big Cities
was recorded alongside Stefano Sofia in Grouse Lodge
in County Westmeath
. Moloney wrote the songs. The band later spoke of their regret at having produced the album themselves instead of opting for a "bigger and rockier" sound. It was released on 6 October in the Republic of Ireland and included their debut single, "Reconnect". Within the first week of release, the album had reached number two in the Irish album sales charts, conceding the first place to Sam's Town
, by The Killers; the album went on to go Platinum and spent a total of 29 weeks in the Irish chart. Over 20,000 albums were sold in Ireland alone. Director played a sold-out show in the 1,600 capacity Ambassador Theatre
on 9 December 2006. The album's success led to the band securing support slots with UK bands such as Hard-Fi
and The Fratellis
. A UK and European release followed in 2007.
The second single taken from the band's debut album, "Come with a Friend
", was released on 29 September of the same year. The third single from the album, "Leave It to Me
", was released on 5 January 2007 but with no corresponding video. Both these releases were solely in the Republic of Ireland. Director were invited to participate in the 2007 series of RTÉ
's annual Other Voices music show.
The album was nominated for the 2006 Choice Music Prize
for Irish Album of the Year. It was also nominated in the Best Irish Album category at the 2006 Meteor Awards at which the band won the award for Best New Irish Act and performed their single "Reconnect" live.
Director later split with Atlantic Records due to limited international success.
" was released in Ireland on 11 May 2007. It is scheduled to be added to the tracklisting of the album We Thrive on Big Cities. The single is also due for a UK release, but the date is still to be announced. Director's summer 2007 shows included Slane Castle
X-Fighters on 26 May and the Main Stage at Oxegen 2007
on Saturday 7 July and several sold out tours in Ireland, as well as support slots with Snow Patrol
and Razorlight
. They headlined Indie-pendence
in August that year. They also played on the main stage at the 2007 Trinity Ball.
Director played a number of headline gigs in Irish venues in December, including Dublin, Dundalk and Mullingar.
. The album was preceded by the independent release of the single, "Sing It Without a Tune", on 1 May 2009. They wrote ten songs at a farmhouse in County Leitrim
and completed the recording of the album over seven weeks with US producer Brad Wood
in his Los Angeles
home. Michael Moloney said:
The band embarked on an Irish tour in May. They performed as Saturday night headliners on the IMRO New Sounds Stage at Oxegen 2009
. Another Irish tour followed that October.
, nomination for 2006 Album of the Year
|-
| 2007 || We Thrive on Big Cities
|| Irish Album of the Year 2006 ||
|-
Readers' Poll
|-
| 2007 || Director || Most Promising Act ||
|-
| 2007 || We Thrive on Big Cities
|| Best Debut Album ||
|-
: Best New Band Nominated for two altogether.
|-
| 2007
|| Director || Best New Band ||
|-
2007 Platinum Status in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
quartet from Malahide
Malahide
Malahide is a coastal suburban town, near Dublin city, located in the administrative county of Fingal, within the traditional County Dublin, Ireland. It has a village-like centre and extensive residential areas to the south, west and northwest.-Name:...
in County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
. The band's members are Michael Moloney (vocals/guitars), Eoin Aherne (guitars), Shea Lawlor (drums) and Rowan Averill (bass guitar).
Director have gained moderate popularity within Ireland and the United Kingdom, through their debut album and touring both on their own and as a support act for bands such as Hard-Fi
HARD-Fi
Hard-Fi are an English indie rock band formed in Staines, Surrey in 2003. The band's members are Richard Archer , Ross Phillips , Kai Stephens and Steve Kemp .They achieved chart success with their third single, "Hard to Beat" and then followed by other successful singles such as...
, Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a Grammy-nominated American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and vocalist and bass guitarist Robby Takac. Since the end of 1994, Mike Malinin has been the band's drummer, a position previously held by George Tutuska...
who they supported on their UK Let Love In
Let Love In (Goo Goo Dolls album)
Let Love In is the Goo Goo Dolls' eighth studio album. "Better Days", which was released as a single late in 2005, appears on the album, along with a cover of the Supertramp song, "Give a Little Bit".-Track listing:...
tour, The Fratellis
The Fratellis
The Fratellis were an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli , bass guitarist Barry Fratelli , and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli .The band released 2 albums during their career, Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in...
and Razorlight
Razorlight
Razorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
.
Style
Director are known for their "art rockArt rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
vision", having been educated in college; Moloney studied classical composition. They have been likened to Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
due to their "monochrome sound". They have also been praised for reproducing the "clipped, emotional blankness" of Wire
Wire (band)
Wire are an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman , Graham Lewis , Bruce Gilbert , and Robert Gotobed...
. They were influenced by The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Interpol
Interpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
. The debut album, We Thrive on Big Cities, has been compared to the music of bands such as The Feelies
The Feelies
The Feelies are a rock band from Haledon, New Jersey. They formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1992 having released four albums. The band reunited in 2008 and most recently released an album in 2011....
, Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma is an American post-punk band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The band was formed by Roger Miller , Clint Conley , Peter Prescott and Martin Swope...
, Television
Television (band)
Television was an American rock band, formed in New York City in 1973. They are best known for the album Marquee Moon and widely regarded as one of the founders of "punk" and New Wave music. Television was part of the early 1970s New York underground rock scene, along with bands like the Patti...
, Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu is an experimental rock music group from Cleveland, Ohio.Père Ubu may also refer to:* Ubu, the enigmatic central figure of a series of French plays by Alfred Jarry, including Ubu Roi, and subsequent plays Ubu Cocu and Ubu Enchaîné...
and Pixies, whilst second album I'll Wait for Sound drew comparisons to Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
and New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
.
Moloney encountered rapper Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
backstage during the band's debut at Oxegen
Oxegen
Oxegen is an annual music festival in Ireland held since 2004, sponsored by Heineken. As of 2007, 2008, 2009, the festival has been cited as Ireland's biggest music festival. And by 2009, the festival is cited as the greenest festival, being a 100% carbon neutral event in Ireland. It was previously...
, later describing a nod from the man as having "made my weekend".
We Thrive on Big Cities (2006–2008)
Director produced their debut single, "ReconnectReconnect (song)
"Reconnect" was the debut single of Irish art rock quartet, Director. It was released on 24 April 2006, eventually dominating the Irish airwaves throughout the summer and receiving much radio play from Irish radio stations such as RTÉ 2fm and Today FM...
" which led to a music video. It was released in Ireland and the UK on 26 April 2006. It was to be the first of three singles to reach the Irish Top Thirty Chart and stayed in the Irish chart for twelve weeks. The success of the single led to the band opening the Main Stage at Oxegen 2006
Oxegen 2006
Oxegen 2006 was the third Oxegen festival to take place, following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness in 2004. It took place on the weekend of Saturday, 8 July and Sunday, 9 July at Punchestown Racecourse near Naas in County Kildare, Ireland...
.
Director's debut album, We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities is the Choice Music Prize nominated debut studio album by the Irish pop rock quartet, Director. It was released on October 6, 2006 in the Republic of Ireland....
was recorded alongside Stefano Sofia in Grouse Lodge
Grouse Lodge
Grouse Lodge is a recording studio in County Westmeath, Ireland. Designed by Andy Munro it has two studios and living quarters in nine stone outhouses, integrating the existing 275 year old stone structure...
in County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. Moloney wrote the songs. The band later spoke of their regret at having produced the album themselves instead of opting for a "bigger and rockier" sound. It was released on 6 October in the Republic of Ireland and included their debut single, "Reconnect". Within the first week of release, the album had reached number two in the Irish album sales charts, conceding the first place to Sam's Town
Sam's Town
-Band:*Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass *Dave Keuning – guitar, background vocals*Mark Stoermer – bass, background vocals, guitar *Ronnie Vannucci – drums, percussion-Additional musicians:...
, by The Killers; the album went on to go Platinum and spent a total of 29 weeks in the Irish chart. Over 20,000 albums were sold in Ireland alone. Director played a sold-out show in the 1,600 capacity Ambassador Theatre
Ambassador Theatre (Dublin)
The Ambassador Cinema was Dublin's longest-running cinema and was operational on and off until 1999. It is now a music venue.The building was constructed as part of the Rotunda Hospital in 1764 as an assembly hall and social rooms on what is now called Parnell Street.From 1897 onwards, the venue...
on 9 December 2006. The album's success led to the band securing support slots with UK bands such as Hard-Fi
HARD-Fi
Hard-Fi are an English indie rock band formed in Staines, Surrey in 2003. The band's members are Richard Archer , Ross Phillips , Kai Stephens and Steve Kemp .They achieved chart success with their third single, "Hard to Beat" and then followed by other successful singles such as...
and The Fratellis
The Fratellis
The Fratellis were an indie rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The band consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli , bass guitarist Barry Fratelli , and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli .The band released 2 albums during their career, Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in...
. A UK and European release followed in 2007.
The second single taken from the band's debut album, "Come with a Friend
Come with a Friend
"Come with a Friend" was the second single by the Irish art rock quartet, Director. It was released on 29 September 2006. Although not as popular as the band's debut single Reconnect, the single charted in Ireland at number twenty-six, and went on to spend three weeks in the Irish Singles...
", was released on 29 September of the same year. The third single from the album, "Leave It to Me
Leave It to Me (song)
"Leave It to Me" was the third single by the Irish art rock quartet, Director. It was released on 5 January 2007. Although not as popular as the band's debut single "Reconnect", the single fared better than their follow-up single and charted in Ireland at number seventeen, spending only two weeks...
", was released on 5 January 2007 but with no corresponding video. Both these releases were solely in the Republic of Ireland. Director were invited to participate in the 2007 series of RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
's annual Other Voices music show.
The album was nominated for the 2006 Choice Music Prize
Choice Music Prize
-Establishment:It was established by journalist Jim Carroll and manager Dave Reid in 2005. as an alternative to the industry-dominated Meteor Music Awards. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize which is awarded each year to the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland...
for Irish Album of the Year. It was also nominated in the Best Irish Album category at the 2006 Meteor Awards at which the band won the award for Best New Irish Act and performed their single "Reconnect" live.
Director later split with Atlantic Records due to limited international success.
2008–2009
Director's single "Be with YouBe With You (Director song)
"Be with You" was the fourth single of Irish art rock quartet, Director. It was released on 11 May 2007. The single charted in Ireland at number forty-three, spending just a week in the Irish Singles Chart....
" was released in Ireland on 11 May 2007. It is scheduled to be added to the tracklisting of the album We Thrive on Big Cities. The single is also due for a UK release, but the date is still to be announced. Director's summer 2007 shows included Slane Castle
Slane Castle
Slane Castle is located in the town of Slane, within the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland. The castle has been the family home of the Conyngham Marquessate since the 18th century....
X-Fighters on 26 May and the Main Stage at Oxegen 2007
Oxegen 2007
Oxegen '07 was the fourth Oxegen festival to take place, following the dissolution of its predecessor Witnness in 2004. It took place on the weekend of Saturday, 7 July and Sunday, 8 July at Punchestown Racecourse near Naas in County Kildare, Ireland. The festival was headlined by Muse and Snow...
on Saturday 7 July and several sold out tours in Ireland, as well as support slots with Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
and Razorlight
Razorlight
Razorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
. They headlined Indie-pendence
Indie-pendence
Indiependence is an annual Irish indie-rock music festival, that usually takes place at or near Mitchelstown in County Cork. Indiependence is one of the "little two" music festivals in Ireland, sharing many of its acts with Castlepalooza which is held on the same weekend in Tullamore, County Offaly...
in August that year. They also played on the main stage at the 2007 Trinity Ball.
Director played a number of headline gigs in Irish venues in December, including Dublin, Dundalk and Mullingar.
I'll Wait for Sound (2009–)
Director released "Play Pretend" as a taster track from their second album in 2008. They performed three songs from that album at the O2, Dublin, in March 2009. Director released their second album, titled I'll Wait for Sound, on 8 May 2009. The cover art was created by Albert ReyesAlbert Reyes
Dr. Albert Reyes was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He went and graduated from Angelo State University in 1982. After working for Sprint for several years he went and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He eventually earned his doctorate and served as a professor at...
. The album was preceded by the independent release of the single, "Sing It Without a Tune", on 1 May 2009. They wrote ten songs at a farmhouse in County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
and completed the recording of the album over seven weeks with US producer Brad Wood
Brad Wood
Brad Wood is a record producer from Rockford, Illinois. He served as a drummer for the band Shrimp Boat. Brad records, mixes and produces records and is based in Los Angeles, California. He began his career in earnest in 1988 with the construction of Idful Music Corporation- a recording studio in...
in his Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
home. Michael Moloney said:
You can expect a much harder sound than the first album but mixed with some of the softest, most delicate tracks we’ve ever recorded. I think we’ve captured more of the live essence of Director on this album. We’ve just released a song call ‘Play Pretend’ as a free download. It’s quite an intense track and an indication of the kind of rocky sound people can expect.
The band embarked on an Irish tour in May. They performed as Saturday night headliners on the IMRO New Sounds Stage at Oxegen 2009
Oxegen 2009
Oxegen 2009 was the sixth Oxegen festival to take place since 2004. It took place on the weekend of Friday 10 July, Saturday, 11 July and Sunday, 12 July at Punchestown Racecourse near Naas in County Kildare, Ireland...
. Another Irish tour followed that October.
Discography
- We Thrive on Big CitiesWe Thrive on Big CitiesWe Thrive on Big Cities is the Choice Music Prize nominated debut studio album by the Irish pop rock quartet, Director. It was released on October 6, 2006 in the Republic of Ireland....
(2006) - I'll Wait for Sound (2009)
Choice Music Prize
Choice Music PrizeChoice Music Prize
-Establishment:It was established by journalist Jim Carroll and manager Dave Reid in 2005. as an alternative to the industry-dominated Meteor Music Awards. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize which is awarded each year to the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland...
, nomination for 2006 Album of the Year
We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities is the Choice Music Prize nominated debut studio album by the Irish pop rock quartet, Director. It was released on October 6, 2006 in the Republic of Ireland....
|-
| 2007 || We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities is the Choice Music Prize nominated debut studio album by the Irish pop rock quartet, Director. It was released on October 6, 2006 in the Republic of Ireland....
|| Irish Album of the Year 2006 ||
|-
Hot Press Awards
Most Promising Act and Best Debut Album in the 2007 Hot PressHot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
Readers' Poll
|-
| 2007 || Director || Most Promising Act ||
|-
| 2007 || We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities
We Thrive on Big Cities is the Choice Music Prize nominated debut studio album by the Irish pop rock quartet, Director. It was released on October 6, 2006 in the Republic of Ireland....
|| Best Debut Album ||
|-
Meteor Awards
2007 Meteor Awards2007 Meteor Awards
The 2007 Meteor Music Awards ceremony was held in the Point Theatre, Dublin on Thursday, 1 February 2007. It was the seventh edition of Ireland's national music awards and the last to be held at the Point before it shut for redevelopment...
: Best New Band Nominated for two altogether.
|-
| 2007
2007 Meteor Awards
The 2007 Meteor Music Awards ceremony was held in the Point Theatre, Dublin on Thursday, 1 February 2007. It was the seventh edition of Ireland's national music awards and the last to be held at the Point before it shut for redevelopment...
|| Director || Best New Band ||
|-
2007 Platinum Status in Ireland
External links
- Official site
- Director feature on Other Voices
- Atlantic Records - Director's former record label in the UK
- Band biography