PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
Hometime is, essentially, a solo project. It sounds like a band name but it’s just [Tony Kavanagh; Dublin, Ireland]. I could be broadly described as a singer/songwriter but
my music is a bit poppier and more electronic than the current style of singer/songwriter.
I started out on my own – just flailing about really, trying to figure out what kind of music I was best at. I moved on to bands fairly quickly. That helped me with stagecraft but it really helped me develop as a writer. A couple of great partnerships came out of those bands. A couple of the bands attracted some record company attention but never managed to clinch a deal. I was frustrated and decided to step back from music after that, but the creative itch never really went away. I gave into the urge eventually and the Hometime project was born. Ironically, I’m busier than ever now. I write for myself, I write with others, and some of those songs are recorded by others too. It’s great to work entirely on my own terms, to satisfy myself. I managed to release my first single “Gratitude” year just before the pandemic made things difficult.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
“It Beats Living Alone” is a song I’ve had for a long time. It winces at the cowardice and self-delusion it takes to stay in a failing relationship. Too many of us have been guilty of that!
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
It’s actually an autobiographical song. It documented the end of an important relationship many years ago. It feels a bit like a letter I didn’t have the nerve to send. No matter how often I sing it, I’m somehow right back in that situation.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE SINGLE IN A FEW WORDS?
A sad banger that should be number one all over the world! LOL.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
I would have to say it was the album “Arrival” by ABBA. I was 12 and knew little about them as a group. I was just entranced. The way those women conveyed joy and pain. It’s so unpretentious, so immediate and still really sincere – even when they’re singing a silly lyric like “When I Kissed The Teacher.” I became obsessed. I’ve loved many other artists and bands over the years, but the super Swedes are a constant.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
I have made one video and I hate it – so not that one! I think videos were at their best in the 80s when they all felt so new. Everybody seemed to throw the kitchen sink into them, but they sometimes still felt really shambolic. I’m not sure I could single out a favourite though.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
I know I should be talking about something creative like photography or writing – both of which I love – but the harsh truth that I’m more often following my 9-year-old son around with a vacuum and dustpan, cleaning up the carnage.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
I haven’t performed with a band for quite a while. The prospect of doing that again terrifies me, if I’m honest. Back in the day, I used to do breathing exercises before going on stage. If I managed to get the first line out without it being awful, I’d relax almost immediately. I learned that drinking before a gig made me more nervous, and I think it can affect pitching – something I’ve always been nervous about.
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
I got out of bed and there I was – Hometime the one-man band!
HOW DO YOU WRITE?
I wrote or co-write everything I record. For this project, there are two key songwriting partners – Gavin Murphy and my producer, Seán Hurley. I’ve been writing with Gavin for a long time now and he has recorded a number of our co-writes too. Sean and I have been friends for about 15 years but we only started writing together during this album project. He and I wrote my first single, Gratitude.
When I write alone, I find that a hook or melody will just pop in my head. I’ll usually try to expand that into a verse-chorus structure and then find a lyric. Sometimes I’ll send it to Gavin or to Seán to tease a little more out of it. Other times, Seán or Gavin will send me something and ask for a vocal melody and lyrics.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Random things, to be honest. Everything. Sometimes a throwaway comment in an overheard conversation can spark a story in my mind that becomes a theme for a lyric.
WHAT IS NEXT?
I’m putting the final parts of my first album together. It’s a full set of original songs, big on hooks and melody. It’s called “Past Imperfect.” It’s been a long process but I hope to get it across the line by Christmas.
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE. · Website: www.hometimemusic.com · Facebook: www.facebook.com/hometime.PastImperfect
· Twitter: @hometime_music
· Instagram: @hometime_music