Having recently released his debut album, “Little Ripples” to critical acclaim, Eric McGrath is quickly becoming a powerful force on the Irish Music Scene...
“Little Ripples is a superb debut offering indeed......... a slow burner that could be massive.” (EDWIN McFEE – HOT PRESS)
"Beautifully crafted song-writing and enveloping arrangements make Eric McGrath's debut album totally enchanting." (JULIE FEENEY)
"......it’s like being wrapped in an aural duvet……….I think we’ve found a rare talent in him.” (DANNY McELHINNEY - MAIL ON SUNDAY)
Born in Dublin to a Spanish mother and an Irish father, Eric was raised on a healthy mix of music from around the globe. With a strong love of Latin grooves, 1920's North American song craftsmanship, and 1960's Surf harmonies, it wasn't long before Eric began to blend his diverse inspirations through his own unique compositions. After completing an honours degree in Chemistry at University College Dublin, Eric finally succumbed to his true calling by obtaining a Masters in Music and Media from Trinity College Dublin.
“Little Ripples”, Eric’s self penned, arranged, performed and produced debut album, garnered critical acclaim in the media upon its release in 2012. With its instantly catchy harmonies, unusual chord progressions, and breezy instrumental arrangements (captured at various farmhouses, mountain lodges, and pro recording studios all over Ireland) it still continues to enjoy regular national airplay having been playlisted on some of Ireland’s leading radio stations.
Since the release of Little Ripples, Eric and his band have been in high demand playing some of Ireland’s most established festivals and venues across the country. Be it performing at Electric Picnic, opening shows for such musical luminaries as Bic Runga at The Cork Opera House and The Olympia Theatre, or playing support for established Irish acts, including Julie Feeney, Cathy Davey, Dave Geraghty, etc. there is no doubt that Eric McGrath is one to watch.
A wider audience awaits......
Recorded at emptyriff by Tony.
Drums - John Ohle.
Electric Guitar - Bobby McMahon.
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboard, Found Sounds - Eric.
Mastered by J.J. Golden at Golden Mastering, California, U.S.A.
Predominantly recorded at emptyriff by Tony O'Brien.
Drums - John Ohle.
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Found Sounds - Eric.
Mastered by J.J. Golden at Golden Mastering, California, U.S.A.
Predominantly recorded at emptyriff by Tony O'Brien.
Drums - John Ohle.
Backing Vocals - Cristina McGrath.
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Banjo, Piano - Eric.
Mastered by J.J. Golden at Golden Mastering, California, U.S.A.
Predominantly recorded at emptyriff by Tony O'Brien.
Drums - John Ohle.
Vocals, Ukulele, Bass, Banjo, Guitar, Electro Effects - Eric.
Mastered by J.J. Golden at Golden Mastering, California, U.S.A.
Recorded at home by Eric.
Vocals, Piano, Reverse Guitar, Synth, Violins - by Eric. The voice samples used are the voice messages left on my phone during the days of recording this track.
Just last night, a thousand dead and counting, it was genocide,
And I could have cried,
but someone changed the channel making things alright.
Now I don't mind, everyone's got issues and our eyes turn blind,
But I've realised, since we're in this mess together we should probably combine,
what's yours is mine.
So get up, go out, let them know what we're about,
Take a chance, take a stance.
So many sleeping people, who just don't know they're capable of making little
ripples into waves.
Now don't get me wrong, all the preaching hippies they've got plans of their
own.
I've grown too used to my mobile phone, and I still leave the lights on when
there's nobody home.
But back in real life, I think that everyone deserves an equal chance to survive
and I've been meaning to criticise each administration that accepts that their hands
are tied. Well as long as it's us that thrives.
So get up, go out, let them know what we're about,
Take a chance, take a stance.
So many sleeping people, who just don't know they're capable of making little
ripples into waves.
All the words that turn to nothing, float downstream, someone else's dreams.
So get up, go out, let them know what we're about,
Before I know that you're gone to me
I thought I'd mention the time you set me free
Well I was merely a fool back then you see
Like a moth to a flame, no sir you couldn't stop me
But can't you see that you mean everything to me?
And if I'd never met you, god knows where I would be
While I was sailing across the seven seas
And you were nothing but a loss, a distant memory
I had no reason to suspect where you might be
Still I was waiting and I wonder, "did you think of me?"
You saved me from what I could not see
And since now you're here with me…
Let's get curious
Now's our chance it's just the two of us
Let's get furious
Let's go for this, oh, let's chase a rush
Then let's forget we ever happened to either of us
I had no clue
The way see it, I've had nothing to lose since you
Cos playing possum is just something that I don't do
Oh, if I could bottle the feeling of being next to you
Some day we'll wake and not know it's our last
And all we Leave behind is our past
Let's get curious
Now's our chance it's just the two of us
Let's get furious
Let's go for this, oh, let's chase a rush
Then let's forget we ever happened to either of us
To whom this may concern,
I've got this issue and it's really starting to burn
You see I've started thinking on my own at night
It's just that lately things they aren't going alright
One, two, three, now are you gonna come with me
There's three little birds, and they can even clearly see
That you and me we're definitely meant to be or not to be
(now, what was the question?)
Un, dos, tres, I see you're in my favourite dress
I'm enamorado with the way you wear that little number baby
You're driving me crazy
Said I've been losing my mind on you
And I'm wasting my time on you
And even when you're gone I can't do nothing else but think of you
And I know this is the way it sometimes tends to go
These are the good old days I'm told
But what I'd do to spend a single night alone with you
Oh baby what I'd do
A, B, C, I see you've turned to notice me
Now I don't know what to do
The moment when it's me and you has finally come
I can't express my feelings, look what I've become
Cos you've places to be and you've people to see,
I don't know why I ever thought that you'd consider me but baby
You're driving me crazy
Said I've been losing my mind on you
And I'm wasting my time on you
And even when you're gone I can't do nothing else but think of you
And I know, this is the way it sometimes tends to go
These are the good old days I'm told
But what I'd do , to spend a single night alone with you
Oh baby what I'd do
Oh baby what I'd do
Little old Miss de Menier
Well she meets with her old friend Dieter
Who lived on the banks of the river Rhine
But that was well before my time
And now they speak of how things have changed
Of how society's been rearranged
And how if they could have it their own way
Well they'd have the junkies locked away
And they'd make sure to lose the key
Now Dieter he spots her finger
It's decorated by a golden ring
It's a permanent reminder
Why did he take so long to find her?
Tonight he sleeps alone
Oh, tonight he sleeps alone
We all grow old and miss some chances
But a lost romance is the kind of thing you bring around with you for life
It's like a knife stuck in your heart
You just can't take that you're apart
As they savour their last drop of wine
She thinks of all the countless times
She guiltily thought of him all night
And by all night I mean at least until first light
She'd lie awake in bed
Cursing the time when she could have said "I do"
But it's too late
Back then her husband he seemed so great
But little did she know
Now today they remain but special friends
As their encounter nears its timely end
And though as brief as it may have seemed
They'll relive it in their dreams
But not together,
No not together
They're both alone.
We all grow old and miss some chances
But a lost romance is the kind of thing you bring around with you for life
It's like a knife stuck in your heart
You just can't take that you're apart
Some say the world is a friend I haven't met,
But I feel life's a joke that I don't get.
Some talk of lots of fish in the sea,
But I'm shipwrecked, i'm lost, lost completely,
Cos you left me
They say that opportunity always knocks,
But i banged banged banged on your door and found that it was locked.
Cos you left me
Words are empty and the meaning lost, leave me counting up the cost
Some say the world is a friend I haven't met,
But I feel life's a joke that I don't get.
Cos you left me
Music will pause, to resume click on a song
Show Schedule
'Til I'm Back Home - Christmas Single for Charity
100% of sales proceeds go to Make-A-Wish® Ireland
Buy on iTunes Buy on BandcampEric: ericmcgrathmusic@gmail.com
Management: management@ericmcgrathmusic.com
Press: josephine.nestor@gmail.com
None of this would have been possible without the invaluable help of some of my friends and family.
Website:
This website was made by Daniel Barrington, a sheer pro I must say! I'm
astounded by the speed and professionalism with which my every
request was dealt, and he's a really nice guy too.
danielbarrington.com
Music:
Tony O' Brien was extremely helpful throughout the entire recording
process. He really went out of his way to get the best out of
whatever I presented to him. I really enjoyed working with him in
such a comfortable and creative atmosphere, and I look forward to
doing a lot more with him in the future. I can't recommend him highly
enough.
emptyriff.com
John Ohle, not only upstages me at nearly every show we play,
but he is also responsible for all the drumming on my recordings.
I appreciate his effort so much and don't know where I'd be without him.
soundcloud.com/John-Ohle
youtube.com/MrSuperNewb
Cristina McGrath co-wrote and sang the female backing vocals on my recordings. Her input has been invaluable and I look forward to getting her more and more involved.
Bobby McMahon played the Electric Guitar on Ripples into Waves before
leaving me his beautiful guitar to finish the rest of the album with.
He is a great musician and has always been a huge help to me.
noisecontrolband.com
Photos:
The photos for this website were taken by my girlfriend Anna on our recent holiday to a town just outside Barcelona. They really helped get this whole thing in motion and I'm delighted with how they turned out.Thanks for everything.
General:
My parents, abuelo, and girlfriend deserve the biggest thanks of all. Really really can't express it in words.
And finally, I must thank Julie Feeney for always being there to answer
all of my annoying questions. I am a huge fan of hers and I cannot
thank her enough for her continuos support.
If you haven’t done so already, check out
juliefeeney.com
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Hot Press Review
22 Jun 2012Little Ripples is a superb debut offering indeed... a slow burner that could be massive.
-
The Mail On Sunday Review
8 Jul 2012It's a delight... I think we've found a rare talent in him.
I fell asleep listening to this album such is the soothing nature of Eric's mellifluous voice. It's like being wrapped in an aural duvet. Julie Feeney was not wrong when she called his music 'totally enchanting'. It's a delight from the opening countryside sounds through to the aptly titles one-mintue long Sixty Seconds. However, it's not designed to lull your cares away, BEfore You Left is too melancholy for that and Alone We Stand will resonate with anyone unsure in a relationship. The sound of the Kinks and Donovan collide on These Are The Good Old Days and, although the music is not pastiche, it does sound like Eric has landed here from the Sixties. Ripples into Waves is from a gentler time, like Eels' Novocaine For The Soul in parts. Multi-instrumental Eric also uses several 'found sounds', but I think we've found a rare talent in him.
