Tuesday saw the first release from Derry musician Ryan Vail in the run-up to his debut album. Up to now we have only heard snippets but ‘Wounds‘ is our first real taste of new music from Vail.
Last year Vail was one half of the Sea Legs release, alongside Ciaran Lavery. That album garnered plenty of praise including a nomination for the Northern Ireland Music Prize. Sea Legs contained plenty of Vail touches throughout but Wounds is out and out electronic. The track ties in with the album’s theme, centred around a 90 year old upright piano inherited by Ryan Vail’s family. Vail’s almost secretive vocals and ambiguous lyrics, over a consistent beats and electronic peaks, tell the story of the overlooked instrument. The lyrics of ‘Over time it’s clear to me is love to heal my wounds’ could apply just as much to a lonely individual as an underappreciated piano. While the piano itself fails to make an appearance, Wounds does feature a speech sample from the late Joe Cosgrove, a peace campaigner from Derry and the original owner of the piano.
The debut album For Every Silence is set for release on 1st April through Quiet Arch, and 25th March through Vail’s ongoing Pledge campaign. The album will feature collaborations from Derry’s Best Boy Grip, violinist & composer Rachael Boyd, Seattle based artist & poet Hexxr along with flute and vocal contributions from Ryan’s partner Katie.
Ryan Vail – For Every Silence – Pledge campaign
