Friday 4th February was the day when Limerick based multi talented musician SHANE THUNDER dropped his new track ‘Big Smile’.

I read that he has chosen to release the next few tracks in the same style as ‘Big Smile’ which I’m sure will appeal to many as it fuses pop sensibilities with a solid drum and bass backbeat.

Fascinated by the track, we wanted to learn more about this musician so we had a chat about a multitude of things such as his dream festival lineup, his musical upbringing, superpowers, Limerick’s music scene and his undying love for Kanye West (or should that be ‘Ye’?), read on to find out more….

I know that you’re based in Limerick, please tell me where you’re from originally and when you first became interested in music?

I’m originally from Kilkee, which is a small seaside town in West Clare. It’s very popular with tourists, especially people from Limerick actually, I hear this joke a lot, how I did the reverse of going from Kilkee to Limerick. I feel like everywhere I go I meet someone who has some sort of association or nice memory of Kilkee, I’ve even met people in other countries who know the town, which is pretty crazy for a town with a population of less than 1000 people.

I used to hear all these stories of how great the place was and almost wonder what was so special about it, I think that happens to a lot of people with the place they grew up. The last year or two, I’ve gotten to spend a bit more time there while on breaks from college or work and I’ve come to appreciate the place a lot more. The beach and the cliffs are beautiful and the options for food around are amazing.

I became interested in music when I was around 5 and my mam told me my friend started piano lessons to convince me to start too and I guess it worked because here I am.

Would you say that you come from a musical family?

Definitely. A lot of people in my family play music and there’s a big family music session in Kilkee at Christmas that most of us come down for every year. Unfortunately with the pandemic we haven’t been able to do it the last two years so I’m really looking forward to the next one!

Do you remember the first CD you bought? Who/what was it, do you still have it and do you still play it?

I feel like there was maybe one or two I asked my parents to get for me when I was a child that I don’t remember, but I remember that the first CD I ever bought on my own was Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye. I remember hearing the announcement on the radio in the car that they were doing an album together and I just had to hear it as soon as possible. 

Surprisingly, I do still have it. Through secondary school I loaned it to people a lot, especially when it got taken off all the streaming services except Tidal, so I’m surprised I managed to get it back from all the people I gave it to, I have it on a bookshelf in my room in my parent’s house.

I play it on Spotify occasionally since it came back on there, I kinda played it to death for a few years so I haven’t gone back to it much to be honest. I do occasionally look at the little art booklet in the CD from time to time, I always loved when something like that would be included in CDs. I vividly remember getting jumpscared by the pictures where Kanye and Jay-Z are edited to look like lions when I was flicking through it for the first time.

What was the first ever live gig you attended,, who was it, where was it and who did you attend with? Any memories of the show?

Again, there was probably some that I don’t remember, I think I saw High School Musical On Ice at some point if that counts. The first one I really remember was going to London to see Tinie Tempah at the O2 when I was 12 with my cousin. I remember being really obsessed with him and Labrinth at the time, those guys absolutely ran 2011-12, so I was absolutely over the moon when we got the tickets. The things I remember most was his crazy outfit he had on in the intro, how big and atmospheric everything seemed at the time and absolutely losing my mind when Labrinth came up through the floor as a surprise towards the end.

Would you rather be able to teleport or have x-ray vision?

Definitely teleport. Where I live is a pretty long walk from college, the shop, etc. and everyone says I’m crazy for walking that distance so often. I’d say I’m used to it and it definitely helps me get some extra exercise in and I can do a lot of hard tasks if I can listen to music and stuff while I do them, but it can be pretty tough when the weather’s bad. If I could teleport that wouldn’t be a problem first of all. Not very ambitious but I’m a practical guy. I guess you could go literally anywhere so that would be pretty cool. I like my alone time so being able to get away from things instantly when I need to, as well as being able to go anywhere for that would be pretty nice.

I don’t really have a use for x-ray vision, I’m a deep overthinker too so I’d be wondering about like, the radiation side of x-ray vision and what effects that might have on me and the things I look at.

Which band or artist made you want to start playing music in the first place?

I mentioned before that I started playing piano at a really young age, but as for creating my own music and production and stuff like that, it’s one you might not expect. In school a friend of mine at the time was really into like EDM and stuff. When Martin Garrix dropped ‘Animals’ EDM kind of clicked with me and I really wanted to be a DJ. I did that for a while before moving into producing and moved around a few genres in EDM before I eventually fell out of all that and found my way into hip-hop production and now I’m here kind of combining everything I’ve learned so far and adding my own vocals in with it all.

Your latest track ‘Big Smile’ is an alternative pop/drum & bass song, has this style of music always interested you?

I would say in bits and pieces. I definitely wanted to push this song in more of a pop direction, I felt like my last few songs didn’t really have what I wanted as far as being easy for people to listen to. It’s not that I don’t love them or I’m not proud of them and definitely not because they’re like experimental or anything like that, not even close, I’m just very self-critical and I’m always looking to improve. As far as the drum and bass side goes, I’ve tried my hand at a few sub genres of it over the years but I never really had any luck with making something decent until recently. I love the sound and texture of a good break sample so I’m looking forward to hopefully making a few more tracks in this style in the future.

You wrote, performed, produced and mixed/mastered the track by yourself which is very impressive indeed, how long did it take you to become proficient at all these disciplines?

I probably wouldn’t even like to say I’m really proficient at any of them yet if I’m being honest. I still have a long way to go. I’m just doing my thing and working hard at these skills every day. As I said, I’m always looking to improve. I wouldn’t say I’m terrible at them at all, I just feel like I could definitely do better and I’m definitely always improving. Maybe I’m too harsh on myself. I don’t think I’ll ever really be fully settled and happy with music I do, it’s just the way I am with everything. 

Would you consider working with other musicians in order to further your musical skillset? Fresh ideas, different styles etc?

100%. I would absolutely love to work with as many artists as I can as long as the vibe is right. I think that collaboration and a different perspective is so important to the music process. I work a lot on music with my friend Ian Moloney, who everyone should definitely check out. We work together on his music that he writes, I help him out with production and some extra instruments and stuff. I always go to him and my girlfriend first thing when I make a new song for opinions. I asked him to help me out with some stuff on my new songs and we’re trying to figure out some singles or an EP together as a band, I’m looking forward to seeing how that turns out. But yeah, definitely open for collaboration, anybody who reads this and wants to do one, please hit me up.

You’ve been asked to nominate 3 acts to perform at a massive music festival in the summer, who would you choose and why? (the bands can be dead or alive)

First, Kanye, no hesitation. He’s been my favourite artist as long as I can remember and has lasted through pretty much every phase I’ve had. Not to mention he’s a great performer and he’s got a bottomless catalog of hits.

Second, I’d probably go with Kaytranada. I saw him live a few years ago and it was the best live music experiences I ever had and I would love to do it again.

Third, I’d have to go with my boy Ian. Maybe a bit of a cop out answer but I’m always looking out for my man and I genuinely love the songs he writes. 

(This is all assuming I can’t nominate myself, I’m literally desperate to perform, again, if anyone’s looking for an artist to perform live, please book me, thanks x)

The song expresses your personal anxieties about maintaining good relationships with people in your life, please would you expand on that for us?

I’m just an awkward anxious dude and I overthink things a lot. I love to hang out and meet people but I really struggle sometimes to stay in touch with people and see them regularly. Sometimes it feels like I’m stuck in a loop and I’m just repeating the same actions over and over. I’ve improved a small bit at all this lately but it’s still not easy for sure. I guess that small improvement gave me a better perspective to write the song from. I guess

we’ll just have to see how it all goes and hopefully I can keep it up.

Are all of the tracks you write based on YOUR experiences or do you sometimes write from a third person perspective?

For now I’ve been writing from my own perspective in most of my songs, even if it’s not always obvious. I was a bit hesitant to admit that for a while, I feel like my songs have been more personal than people would think and it can be pretty scary to open up about personal thoughts and relationships and put it out into the world. 

How do you go about pulling tracks together, is there something that you need to do first (lyrics/melody etc)?

I usually start by making the beat. I alternate between starting with the melody or drums depending on the vibe I’m in. Lately, I’ve been simplifying my beats, I feel like it’s allowed me to get my ideas out quicker and leaves more creative room left for me to more interesting things with my vocals. Usually I like to do music really late at night, it’s just when my brain really gets going. On a good night, I’ll usually have the beat made by 10pm and head into my room and I’ll write and record vocals until about 3/4am. It’s pretty intense but I don’t feel the time going by at all. I like to get the main idea of a track down as fast as possible and tweak stuff when necessary afterwards.

You’re based in Limerick, describe the music scene there for me

It’s really strong, but still under appreciated in my opinion. There’s a lot of artists, groups and collectives doing their thing and putting out great music and performances regularly. I don’t want to drop too many names, the city isn’t massive and I don’t want to come across as dropping names for clout or anything, more overthinking.

I can’t say I’ve been involved in the scene in any way yet, but I’d love to eventually, I have a great appreciation for so many artists in the scene.

Are there many live music venues that are helping to keep the scene alive?

Definitely, off the top of my head, Dolan’s and Pharmacia are always putting on great shows and events. There’s not just music around the city too, I’ve been to some live podcasts, art showcases, drag shows, things like that. Hopefully things will be back up and running soon with COVID and there’ll be more on around. I feel like there’s a special atmosphere and vibe at smaller local events

You’ve been releasing music in multiple styles for a few years now, though you scrapped a number tracks as you weren’t happy with them, is this the inner perfectionist in you coming out?

Yeah, as I said I’m always trying to improve. I’ve spent the last few years doing a lot of different styles and ideas, just trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go. Give me two years, I’ll probably even be making some completely different stuff by then. 

What was it about the tracks that you didn’t like anymore?

Just the quality. As I said, I’m always very critical of everything I do. I listen to my own music often with a critical ear and I’m always thinking on how I can improve. I also just felt like they weren’t the direction I wanted to go in. I was at a party once and someone told another person to put on my music and I just remember the awkwardness when they came on, I felt kind of embarrassed. It’s not that I care about other people liking it too much, I just felt like there was a big difference between when I would hear the music by myself at home, versus when I would be out with other people, in a room where everyone would hear it with my name and face attached right there. I don’t just want to make party music or anything, I just wanted to be in a situation where someone I’m meeting for the first time could play my music and I could be proud of what I’m hearing.

Would it be worth holding the tracks to see if they grow on you as time goes by or has the ship already sailed?

A few songs people liked I left on Soundcloud. I still like them too, I just wanted to curate my discography a little bit. I go through my Google Drive and listen to old stuff sometimes just for the memories. I just feel like I needed to move past that stuff to grow as an artist.

We’re off to the pub, what are you drinking?

Guinness is my first choice.

You mention that the next few singles you will be releasing will be in the same drum & bass inspired style as ‘Big Smile’, how did you come to this decision? Did feedback from friends/family help you?

I just really vibed with that style. It wasn’t necessarily a decision, I just make Big Smile and then rode that creative wave into some more music. I have got good feedback from the people I go to the most for that, but I mostly just make what I feel like making. Obviously if they told me it was terrible I would take another look though.

I’ve been releasing everything I’ve made more consistently recently, but I made sure to stock up on songs first so that I could keep that up. I’m fairly stocked up for a little while more but as for what i’m doing right now, creatively I’ve been taking a mini break and just having fun with music. Trying to find my next style.

You say that you have lots of experience playing covers in bands at local gigs, have you been in many bands before? If so, did you leave to fulfil your own dream of writing your own music?

I wouldn’t even say it was a thing I necessarily left. It was more of a music group that I was in all through school, there was 4 or 5 around when it first started and at one point it had about 20 people. You could just go to whoever there and say hey, I want to do this song for the next gig do you want to help me? We got to play some local gigs, St. Patrick’s Day at the Square in town, Halloween parties, small support stuff for bands doing local gigs, things like that. It was cool, I learned a lot, from just playing stuff other than, like, stuff for piano exams which I hadn’t really got the chance to do much of at the time, to learning to work with other people musically and of course performing. I wouldn’t say I left really for any reason, it’s just more of a group suited to teenagers in school and college just got more busy and I was coming home less often so I stopped being able to go. But yeah, shoutout to Teamwork Music in Kilrush.

What is your favourite cover version to play live?

I haven’t done a live cover in years, but I loved doing ‘Jackie and Wilson’ by Hozier when I was.

You’re cooking us a 3 course dinner, what are we having?

For a starter, I’d probably do a light garlic bread. I’m not big on starters, I’d rather leave room for a big main but if we’re being fancy here and doing a starter that’s probably what I’d make.

For the main, I’d probably do a steak. That’s kind of my go-to dinner for someone else thing. If you’re vegan I’ll whip up some fried mushrooms.

For dessert, I’ll probably do a cake. I personally am obsessed with chocolate so that’ll definitely have to be involved. Definitely some ice cream on the side too.

Having your own music out there must really boost your confidence levels?

Yeah it’s nice, I’ve always dreamed of having my own music. Even after years of doing stuff that I kept half-secret, it feels even better to have music out that I’m proud to share with people. I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Doing most of it by myself also reminds me in general life that if I stop waiting around for things to come around to me and go get them it’ll work out much better for me.

You mention that you’re interested in making your own music videos, do you have any examples of videos that you have already released?

I do, I have a music video for my song CRISIS MUSIC that I did with Ian, but again, my toxic trait, I’ll probably not even have that up much longer. I’m a mess. I feel like we were figuring it out with that one and it was a little awkward, it was the first time we had done something like that. We did the video for Ian’s song ‘Lions’ recently together and I shot and edited it. I feel like that one came out much cooler so there’s already been improvement. I’m really looking forward to diving into videos and getting more creative with them as I get better at it.

What’s next for Shane Thunder?

More music, more projects in general. Videos, as I mentioned, we’re doing some basic merch at our website (www.cvcreative.art) and hopefully, me and Ian are looking to run a very DIY-type local gig soon if COVID settles down for a while and everything works out. I just love art and performing and putting things out into the world and I have such an interest in doing so many different forms of it all. Music’s always been and probably always will be the main thing but I enjoy doing everything around it.

Finally, would you rather eat roadkill or go without the internet for an entire week?

I’d probably go without the internet for a week, it would be good for me to take a break for once. I think I could manage it fairly easily, do texts count? As long as I can text my girlfriend at some point, she’d probably be worried about me if I couldn’t contact anyone for a week!

There you have it folks, pretty much everything that you’d possibly need to know about SHANE THUNDER…..

What you need to do now is go follow him on the socials and keep an eye out for future music releases, I’ve listed a few of his social channels below, go ahead, pay him a visit, give him a like or a share, he’ll appreciate that you took the time to check him out!

Socials

Instagram

Spotify

YouTube

Soundcloud

Bandcamp

Tik Tok

Twitter