26 February 2024
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Cork artist Pete Mac to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I am originally from Cork, Ireland. I am the singer, guitarist and songwriter of Cork based Alternative Rock/Grunge outfit Paradox and have recently branched out from the band and focused on playing as a solo artist under my own name Pete Mac. I just released a new solo album titled ‘Hiber Nation’ which was written and recorded over the past 3 years during the Covid lockdown. Paradox have been a band since 1997, formed in Cork by myself and my brother Mike Mac. The band has 4 albums officially recorded and released. Our debut album ‘Circle of Growth’ was recorded in LA and released on a US indie label in 2000. Our second album ‘Sacred’ was self recorded and released independently in 2004 followed by ‘Corporate Pollution’ in 2010 and ‘Chapters’ in 2015. The band shot a music video for ‘Mr. Bureaucracy’ in 2012 which was nominated for best song at the Berlin Music Video Awards, Dublin International short film and music awards the Portobello Film Festival London in 2013. Paradox have toured both Europe and the US as well as playing support to the likes of Therapy?, Kerbdog and Shonen Knife in 2013. I continue to play both with the band and as a solo artist however over the past 3 years I’ve been pursuing the solo side of music.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Growing up I discovered music after hearing Nirvana for the first time as a young kid followed by the whole Seattle scene and and the bands that came out of the era like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and Mudhoney. A lot of the early Paradox music was influenced heavily by these bands. I am now influenced a lot by Elliott Smith, PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake particularly as a solo artist.
How would you describe your sound?
Alternative Rock, Indie Folk.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
The new solo album is called ‘Hiber Nation’. The album was recorded over the space of 3 years from 2020 to 2023 with many tracks written over the Covid 19 lockdown and inspired by its isolation. The album title Hiber Nation came from the idea of society becoming a recluse and being forced to hibernate during this strange period while not being equipped to function as before when emerging out the other side as a result of this hibernation. Most of the album was self recorded and produced at home except for tracks ‘Disappear’ and ‘Escape’ which were recorded at Wavefield Recording Studios, Clonakilty, West Cork and produced by Brian Casey. I played most instruments on the album with the addition of Cello which was a new instrument and learning curve taken up in 2020 and something that has always been on my musical radar. I also collaborated with many artists on this album including iconic US/French singer Lisa Papinieau who contributed guest vocals on ‘Escape’ which was recorded long distance from the US. Other artists include Mary Moore who played piano on ‘Alien Skin’ and ‘Surrender’, MSea who added vocals on ‘Less I Have’ and ‘Hibernate’, JMac who added vocals to ‘Hibernate’ and Brian Casey who played piano on tracks ‘Voiceless’ and ‘Mother Nature’s Revenge’. Peter O’Sullivan also played drums on tracks ‘Disappear’ and ‘Escape’.
What’s your local music scene like?
Cork has always had a good music scene with many diverse bands and artists. A favorite of mine over the past few years has to be Mick Flannery who also comes from my hometown of Blarney. His album ‘I own you’ is one of the best albums I’ve heard in years.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
I am in the final stages of shooting a new music video for track ‘Escape’ which should hopefully be out later this year. I’m also planning on playing some live solo shows this year in support of the new album ‘Hiber Nation’. The band I usually play with Paradox also have two shows booked in April for the 30th anniversary of Kurt Cobain, playing a full set of Nirvana tunes spanning their entire catalog. This is something we started back in 2014 initially as a once off event however due to its success made a yearly event out of it. First show takes place April 6th at the Crane Lane Theatre, Cork and the second at DeBarra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty, West Cork joined by fuzz rockers Screenreader.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
I’d love to collaborate with Mick Flannery or share a stage. Other artists I’d like to collaborate with would be US indie band DIIV especially after hearing their latest release ‘Deceiver’. I was lucky enough to collaborate with Lisa Papineau on one of the tracks on my album called ‘Escape’. She has been a huge influence and inspiration over the years.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I’m a nice guy 🙂
You can find out more about Pete via Apple Music, Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, X (Twitter) or YouTube, and you can listen to ‘Hiber Nation’ via various sites here.
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