A Chat with SOMEFINN (06.10.21)
After years of performing with bands, The Flaws and Elephant, singer-songwriter Paul Finn found himself using his experiences to begin the alt-rock group SOMEFINN. We speak with Finn about their album …Tsk, Tsk…, single ‘Contact’ and discovering new music.
OSR: How did SOMEFINN come about?
Finn: Well, it started with the end of one band called The Flaws, for which I was singer and songwriter, after which I decided to quit music altogether. Shortly thereafter I found myself accidentally writing songs so I thought at the time it was a good creative muscle to flex. I recorded some demos for myself and after a while, I had more songs than I knew what to do with. I picked seven plus an instrumental and asked a few friends to help rehearse the songs and see if we could pull something together that would at the very least sound musical.
OSR: What are your musical influences?
Finn: It varies. I find that the cinema is a huge influence. Something about the huge room, big screen and the visuals of the film just kick me into creativity. I usually write words while at the cinema.
OSR: You just released a debut album …Tsk, Tsk…, what can you tell us about it?
Finn: It’s a collection of eight songs; eight songs because that’s the correct number. It mostly started out as a bunch of acoustic demos that were fleshed out in the studio. It features a lot of homemade percussion instruments. Some haunting melodies but mostly I feel it was an energy that I can’t describe.
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OSR: You recently released a single titled ‘Contact’ with an official music video. What can you tell us about the video?
Finn: The video is inspired by the lyrics and how the character watching TV is separate from a beautiful world stuck in a Lynchian portrayal of existence just watching TV on repeat until he happens upon someone outside of himself who seemingly wants to exist in his world.
OSR: What was it like to work with dancer Arlene Caffrey in the music video?
Finn: Arlene is a consummate professional and despite the cold mornings shooting she was a constant source of positive light and energy. We were thrilled she agreed to work with us.
What advice do you have for upcoming musicians?
Finn: Get inspired and keep writing, they rarely write themselves.
OSR: What do you believe is the best way to discover music in today’s society?
Finn: Friends recommendations, radio, Spotify and gigs.
OSR: If you lose all of your possessions but one, and it can’t be your instruments, what would you want it to be?
Finn: The only thing I need is a white noise machine.
OSR: Do you sing in the shower?
Finn: Yep. The shower is very loud and, however, it works. It’s fun to harmonise with the mechanical motor of the shower.
OSR: What can we expect from SOMEFINN in the future?
Finn: All going to plan a new album will be along before too long. So, next year then, a new album or two, some more videos and some shows.
Thanks to Paul Finn for speaking with us. For more from SOMEFINN check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
