Cork legends release new album after 38 years!

Cork has changed a lot in the last 38 years and so have iconic Leeside indie rockers Cypress, Mine! who are poised to drop their first album since 1987.

A little older, a little wiser, and drawing from a lifetime of collected influences, the band releaseed their long-awaited second album ‘Pulling All The Clouds Apart’ today, Friday.

With almost four decades having passed since their very successful debut record ‘Exit Trashtown’, the songwriting on this new album has changed significantly. These days, the group’s influences vary from obscure American alt-folk to German electronic music. The album touches on themes of strong women, struggles of physical and mental pain, and societal issues such as coercive control, intimidation, and violence. Of course, the odd love song is featured too, such as ‘Safe Highway’ (based on a poem by Seán Ó Tuama written in 1997), and ‘Smithereen’.

‘Pulling All The Clouds Apart’ could be described as a bookending in music history itself. The band’s debut album was the first indie album recorded in Cork (in Elmtree Studios in 1987). Meanwhile, ‘Pulling All The Clouds Apart’ was the last album to be recorded in the famous Pat Colliers’ Perry Vale Studios in London.

“It has taken us quite a while to record that difficult second album,” concedes singer Ciarán Ó Tuama.

“Yes, 38 years to be exact. Actually, the only difficult part of the process has been getting us all in the same room at the same time as we all live in different parts of the world. We couldn't have done this remotely as it does not suit our music.

“I must say that it was great to work in the same studio that has been home to so many music legends and also work with Jess whose recording wizardry brought the songs to another level. We can't wait for people to hear the songs on vinyl and at our shows.”

In a fitting throwback to 1980s Cork, the new album’s front cover features a picture of Madden’s Buildings in Blackpool, Cork city in the 1980s. Cypress, Mine! formed in 1984 with Ian Olney (guitar), Ciarán Ó Tuama (vocals), Mark Healy (drums), and Denis O’Mullane (bass). The current iteration of Cypress, Mine! features Mark Healy on bass while Morty McCarthy of another iconic Cork band, The Sultans of Ping, takes over drumming duties.

Influenced in the early days by Orange Juice, The Smiths, REM, and Hüsker Dü, Cypress, Mine! performed alongside U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Aztec Camera before disbanding in 1989. Their 1987 debut ‘Exit Trashtown’ received critical acclaim, producing national radio favourites ‘Justine’ and ‘Sugar Beet God’.

They took their sweet time, but Cypress, Mine! are back, and we are lucky to have them. If you have been waiting 38 years to catch them live, don’t miss their show this Saturday (Valentine’s Day) at Crane Lane in Cork city.