The Irish music scene has recently witnessed a resurgence in guitar-driven genres, redefining the post-punk landscape with fresh sounds and raw energy. At the forefront of this movement is Dublin’s Sprints, a four-member post-punk band making waves with their debut album, “Letter to Self.” The group, led by vocalist Karla Chubb, has been gaining attention for their emotionally charged performances and thought-provoking lyrics.
Since their emergence with a debut single in 2020, Sprints has been crafting a sound that is both unique and reflective of their influences. Their first album, which took considerable time to develop, showcases a blend of anxiety-driven instrumentals and introspective songwriting. The album’s opener, “Ticking,” is a perfect example of this blend. With its muted guitars and swelling drums, the track delves into themes of existence and self-doubt. Chubb’s repeated questioning, “Am I alive?” resonates as a central motif throughout the song, mirroring the album’s broader exploration of pain, passion, and perseverance.
Sprints’ music stands out not only for its lyrical depth but also for its homage to the post-punk tradition of wearing emotions unabashedly. This trait aligns them with some of the most influential bands in the genre. However, their approach is far from derivative. They infuse their music with a contemporary perspective, making it relevant and relatable to a modern audience.
The band’s rise is part of a larger trend in Ireland’s music scene, which has seen a revival of guitar-centric bands. This resurgence includes groups from various cities, each bringing their unique flavor to the genre. From the shoegazing sounds of Limerick’s Newdad to the raw energy of Dundalk’s Just Mustard, the Irish music scene is bustling with creativity and diversity. Sprints, with their Dublin roots, contribute to this rich tapestry, adding their voice to an ever-evolving musical narrative.
As the post-punk scene in Dublin and beyond continues to flourish, bands like Sprints are not only reinvigorating the genre but also redefining it. Their debut album, “Letter to Self,” is not just a collection of songs; it’s a statement of intent and a reflection of the band’s journey. It encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of a group determined to make their mark, and in doing so, they are contributing to a new chapter in Ireland’s musical heritage.
We caught up with Jack and Sam from the band to see how things are going.
Watch the interview below:
I don’t think there’s a band on the planet that’s had a better start to 2024 than you guys.
Jack: Yeah, it’s certainly gone well.
Has this taken you by surprise?
Jack: I think so, yeah. We had high hopes, but the level of response, particularly outside Ireland and the UK, has been a surprise.
Sam: It’s a lot of anxiety bringing out an album. So the way it’s gone has exceeded our expectations.
What’s been the highlights over the last two weeks?
Jack: The day the album came out, we played our first in-store in Rough Trade East. The excitement of that day was really nice. Everything was coming in, everyone was hearing the album for the first time.
And how do you think Karla deals with going on stage every night and reliving all these traumas? Does she talk about what it’s like to do that every night?
Jack: By the time we’ve actually gotten to the stage, a lot of the difficult work has been done for Karla. It’s getting penned down on paper and recording the tracks. By the time we get to stage, we’re kind of giving it over to everybody else. It takes on a life of its own.
Do people come up to you after the show and talk to you about their experiences with some of these subjects?
Jack: It’s definitely started happening more recently. It can depend on the crowd, but particularly if there’s a bigger young queer fan base, you’ll notice it a lot more. Particularly for Karla, it’s quite special.
Do you guys ever get concerns that she’s sharing too much?
Sam: No, it’s a fine balance. We’re definitely there to support her. If she feels like she has something to say and it’s going to help people, then it’s probably a good thing.
The album was recorded in a rural village of France, which creates a vision of a very idyllic, serene setting for this very in-your-face, cathartic music. Why did you decide to go and record it there, and what was the advantage?
Sam: We wanted to go away somewhere and just live and breathe the album, no distractions. Our engineer, Dan Fox, suggested the studio in France. It was amazing – a little house and studio, with the owners coming down every day. One would cook, the other would fix anything that broke. It was perfect for us.
At what point during the recording process do you think about how the songs are going to sit on the album next to each other, like the tracklisting?
Jack: It was tough. We were doing it as we went. As we tracked songs every night, we’d listen back and start planning. We knew some tracks like “Ticking” and “Heavy” would be number one and two, and “Letter to Self” would be the last song. We adjusted for vinyl timings, too. It was definitely a challenge to finalize the order.
With your first major tour coming up, how do you plan to balance the intensity of touring with personal well-being?
Sam: It’s about picking our battles now, maybe letting loose on the last night or when we have a day off. We’re going to have to be responsible adults now.
What’s the rest of the year looking like for you?
Jack: Festivals, most of the summer. We’re also trying to find time to work on new music and more headline shows towards the end of the year. It’s definitely going to be a busy year.
Any thoughts on moving out of Dublin, given your success?
Jack: No, we’re still in Dublin.
Financial considerations and the comfort of home are important. We’re open to exploring new cities in the future, but Dublin is where we are for now. Plus, when you’re on tour so much, it doesn’t matter as much where you live.
You’re going to a lot of cities for the first time, especially in the US. That’s very exciting.
Jack: Yeah, most of us haven’t been to the west coast. It’s going to be a little grueling but exciting as the shows are starting to sell out.
Letter To Self is out now on City Slang
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