PADDY Casey has been around the music industry for quite a lot longer that his looks would suggest.
He laughs in mock horror when you remind him of this fact, but his experience has made him something of an odd beast in the Irish music scene; a refreshingly honest, uniquely driven perfectionist.
He continues to pack venues around the country, attracting a mixture of die-hard fans and newly-won converts.
Having released his fourth studio album The Secret Life Of… in November, Casey will take to the stage in The Queens in Dalkey on March 8 and says that the reaction to the new album has been positive so far.
“It hasn’t sold a million copies or anything, but the reaction has been good so far.
“People who have picked up the album have been positive about it.
“It’s only got a couple of bad reviews, and I know I shouldn’t, but I’m too curious to not read them.
“You have to remember to tell yourself that it’s just an opinion, but if it pops up online, I end up clicking on it!”
The album is a return to a method of recording that Casey is comfortable with, the bulk of the work being done in his kitchen.
It is a departure from Casey’s last effort, Addicted To Company.
That effort was done in a studio in Los Angeles and resulted in Casey’s most polished effort yet.
Back in the kitchen, each song on The Secret Life Of… was recorded on the day it was written.
“I had a definite plan when we started.
“My friends say I have demo-itis apparently. I like the demo of a song more than the recorded versions.
“I really wanted to make each song on the day it was written, to capture something.
“I preferred this to any other record I’ve made.
“The songs came when they came, as opposed to trying to hash it out.
“I don’t think I dislike any songs on the album.
“It’s weird, I don’t really like or love any songs; I like what they represent.
“It’s fairly honest and a lot of stuff that is on it is first takes.
“I wanted it to be direct.
“I think I love the way it was made and what it stands for.”
Picking singles as a singer is an unenviable task, one that Casey says he has handed off to others.
“I let other people pick out the singles, I’m [crap] at picking singles.
“I would never have put out Saints and Sinners (his biggest single).
“I go for songs which I’m happiest with.
“For me, the chorus isn’t as important as the verse.
“I realise that’s not the way that people say to write songs, but it makes me happy.”
As a veteran of the Irish music scene, Paddy says that he has seen a big change in the industry year on year.
“The music is better now, there’s a lot of great bands.
“Irish bands are a lot more eclectic and interesting.
“The only problem is that there’s nowhere to play and no money being made.”
Paddy Casey plays The Queens, Dalkey on March 8, tickets are priced at €17.
