After continuing his innovative streak with recent singles “New Wave Vaudeville” and “Tell My Ma”, Irish No-wave provocateur Skinner is now looking to cement this era within his tenure with the release of his eagerly-awaited new EP, “Geek Love”, showcased by its lively title-track. Watch the official music video below.
With the previous outings delivering some of his more energetic and groove-filled material to date, “Geek Love” looks to continue this adventurous run in bombastic fashion at every turn. Combining his love for funky and infectious guitar grooves with his self-adorned “no-wave” aesthetic, this new three-track collection marks one of his more instantly impactful efforts in an already explosive career to date.
Speaking about the single “Geek Love”, he said, “This song is inspired by one of my favourite books “Geek Love” by Katherine Dunn. It’s about a bunch of circus freaks that live in an isolated travelling circus community who never interact with the general public apart from their live shows for fear of harassment and persecution for who they are. I think being a functional member of society can be claustrophobic at the best of times and it’s draining to constantly be trying to meet people’s standards and fit in if you’re different. I liked the book because it celebrates being weird and original instead of always trying to sweep that part of your existence under the carpet. I also think it’s quite empowering to be able to make someone uncomfortable by doing nothing more than just being yourself.”
While giving some insight into the EP Skinner explains, “The EP is inspired by disco and noise music. Taking all the pleasantries and rhythms associated with 70’s disco songs and throwing them in a blender with harsher atonal guitars and lyrics. A lot of the themes in the songs explore embracing individuality and expressing that outwardly without being afraid of what people might think. I wanted to create a new wave of disco music where I could let out that frustration and anger while also being able to dance along to it.”
Skinner is the project of the Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Aaron Corcoran who has been inspired by the New York no wave scene in the late ’70s/early ’80s, A DIY slouch rock musician who writes, records and produces songs about growing up and overcoming a dirt-flecked 21st century existence.
The DNA of no wave and post-punk acts like The B52s, James Chance and the Contortions and ESG through to alt-rock touchstones Pixies and Morphine combined with a talent for grunge-nodding self-production and pockets of elevated instrumentation is oozing from Skinner’s music.
Previous singles “Dislocation“, “Sometimes My Brain is Goo“, “Slouch” and ‘Headroom“, have received airplay from KCRW, BBC Across the Line, RTÈ 2FM and 98FM’s John Barker as well as one of Hot Press’ 20 acts to watch in 2020 and media support from Fred Perry Subculture, So Young, Nialler9 and more. He was also the poster boy for Spotify’s popular An Alternative Eire playlist and has featured tracks on their Post Punk 2K and Hot New Bands playlists.
Skinner and his five-piece band including saxophonist have played have performed at numerous festivals such as The Great Escape, Ireland Music Week, Beyond The Pale, All Together Now, Other Voices, the Galway Fringe Festival and Watt’en Schlick-festival to name a few and recently supported Lime Garden, Dope Lemon, Algiers, Bambara, The Wedding Present and Silverbacks.
See Skinner live:
Tuesday November 26th – Ireland – Gurriers – Whelan’s, Dublin (support)
December 1st – Ireland Other Voices (Dingle)
Feb 6 – Ireland Galway Roisin Dubh
Feb 7 – Ireland Dublin Whelans (Upstairs)
Feb 8 – Ireland Waterford Phil Grimes Pub
Feb 13 – United Kingdom North Shields Three Tanners Bank
Feb 15 – United Kingdom Glasgow Nice N Sleazy
Feb 16 – United Kingdom Leeds Oporto
Feb 18 – United Kingdom Manchester The Lodge at The Deaf Institute
Feb 19 – United Kingdom London The Shacklewell Arms
Feb 20 – United Kingdom Southampton Heartbreakers
Feb 22 – United Kingdom Bristol The Lanes
Feb 27 – Ireland Cork Winthrop Ave
Feb 28 – Ireland Limerick Dolans Kasbah
Mar 1 – Ireland Kilkenny Cleere’s Bar & Theatre