When modernlove. were formed in 2016 they reacted to the lack of opportunities for live music in their hometown of Drogheda by effectively creating their own scene. By organising rammed DIY pub gigs and encouraging other local bands to step out, they provided a creative outlet for themselves as well as a vibrant community for young obsessives in their area. That ethos of making something from nothing still serves them well to this day, and now their music is being embraced on a much bigger platform – including support from Jack Saunders at BBC Radio 1 for their recent single ‘Take Me Far Away’.
Now modernlove. demonstrate their recent progress is only the beginning as they unleash their new single until my heart stops beating. It’s a shocking, savage declaration that a relationship is over with both parties already sufficiently disinterested to explain why or to even assign blame. Extending the band’s ability to paint pictures of bewildering emotions that come with young adulthood, the song’s pain is addictive with early 80s post-punk references melded through the arena-scale ambition of The 1975 or Inhaler. The single was written by modernlove. and produced by them with Adam Redmond.
modernlove. comment that, “until my heart stops beating is a song about losing feelings. It chronicles the moments of tension leading to a breakup. The lyrical narrative of the song explores arrhythmia and cardiac arrest as metaphors for the end of a relationship and invokes that sudden wrenching feeling when something goes terribly wrong. The song is stark, realistic and unromantic. It’s clear that the relationship is beyond hope and beyond saving. The lyricism and sonic composition of the tune are extremely minimalist, almost as if there’s nothing left to say.
“In keeping with this sober, dejected, minimalist vibe, the song takes its sonic inspiration – such as a simple two-chord structure and monotone droning chorus vocals – from early post-punk artists such as The Cure and Joy Division.”
The video for until my heart stops beating features energising live footage from the band’s recent debut European shows, which were filmed and edited by their friend and visual collaborator David Ofmg. Those images were then projected onto the band as they performed the song and kicked back at their studio in Drogheda, providing an unusual feeling of nostalgia for a moment that had only recently happened. The location also provides a nice easter egg moment for modernlove. fans as the studio is the same place that they filmed Liquorice, their first ever video.
Consisting of Barry Lally (vocals and guitar) Graham Fagan (guitar) Daniel Rooney (bass) and Cian McCluskey (drums) modernlove. started making music with little consideration of genre conventions, instead weaving together their own sound from influences such as Bloc Party, The Japanese House, New Order and John Hopkins. Songwriting became a release, a way to cathartically purge their darker emotions and experiences into something altogether more positive. From their early improvised gigs to recent European shows with NEEVE, they discovered that honesty speaks to fans wherever they go.
Quickly modernlove. became the quartet’s all-encompassing way of life. They have no back-up plans or safety nets, just a full-on commitment to the band and a decadent desire to live for the moment. After two EPs – their monochrome blue debut and this year’s Oh My Mind – the demand for modernlove. to tour more widely was palpable and connecting with fans in person is their current big priority.
modernlove. are currently on a UK and Ireland tour which has seen the opening seven gigs sell-out after several of those venues were upgraded due to demand, and they have now announced big touring plans for 2023. Their debut North American headline tour in March also includes SXSW before they come to the UK in April then Europe in May. Remaining tickets for the current tour, as well as a full list of all worldwide dates are available HERE
NOVEMBER 2022
Wed 09 BRISTOL Louisiana (SOLD OUT)
Thu 10 LONDON Camden Assembly (SOLD OUT)
Fri 11 LEEDS Hyde Park Book Club (SOLD OUT)
Sat 12 BELFAST Deer’s Head
Sun 13 DERRY Sandino’s
Thu 17 LISTOWEL Mike The Pies
Fri 18 LIMERICK Kasbah Social Club
Sat 19 CORK Winthrop Avenue
Thu 24 GALWAY Roisin Dubh
Fri 25 DUBLIN Button Factory
APRIL 2023
Thu 06 CAMBRIDGE Portland Arms
Fri 07 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
Sat 08 LIVERPOOL Shipping Forecast
Sun 09 EDINBURGH Mash House
Tue 11 OXFORD Bullingdon
Wed 12 NOTTINGHAM Rough Trade
Thu 13 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Fri 14 LONDON Lafayette
