Interview Villagers: Easy And Blissful

Following the break-up of Conor J. O’Brien’s previous band, The Immediate, he went on to form Villagers - a largely one-man-and-his-band project, who released their debut album, the ‘gothic folk-pop’ ‘Becoming A Jackal’, through Domino last week (24th May).

Recently, the Irish five piece has also appeared on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ on BBC Two, and confirmed for a handful of summer festivals, including Meltdown, Oxegen and Electric Picnic.

Gareth O’Malley manages to grab O’Brien for a quick chat, lasting all of, ooh, 30 seconds?

How have you found the reception of the album? It’s top of the charts in Ireland at the moment after all…
Yeah people have been digging the album mostly. It’s a nice feeling.

Enjoying the tour so far?
Yeah the tour has been a good time so far. Our Irish tour was pretty special, the crowds knew the songs which was pretty cool. This UK tour feels like we really have something to prove to people. But it’s so easy. Easy and blissful.

You did Jools Holland a few weeks back. How did that go? I’d imagine it must have been nerve-racking to a certain extent, it being a solo performance and such.
I enjoyed it. I was a bit worried about breaking a string on my guitar, but other than that, it felt just like any other gig. Singing songs to people in a room.

Looking forward to Harmonic next month [June 25th]? You’re only on the same bill as Grizzly Bear, for crying out loud! Good work!
Yeah that looks like a great little festival. I’m looking forward to it for sure. Grizzly Bear, Midlake, Camera Obscura and Villagers. How did that happen?

Which song off ‘Becoming A Jackal’ are you most proud of?
I like ‘Set the Tigers Free’. The words mean a hell of a lot to me.

Which Irish bands have you been enjoying the most this year, if any? I find there’s an ever-increasing amount of good stuff going on here. What say you?
This year I’ve enjoyed a Dublin band called ‘Adebisi Shank’. Richie Egan aka ‘Jape’ is a good time. ‘Our Little Secrets’ aka Rhob Cunningham is also a good time. Another band called ‘And So I Watch You From Afar’ also rock. There are some really interesting young bands sprouting up everywhere too. ‘Little Green Cars’ are one of them. There is so much good stuff, I’m most definitely forgetting a lot more…

Finally, where’d you like to see yourself at the end of the year?
I’d like to see myself in a wooded glade.