Interview - Joe Echo

Joe Echo is Ciaran Gribbin's solo project.

Ciaran first gained the public's attention with his former band Leya. The group had been together for several years, touring and earning a solid group of fans before their debut album was released in 2006.

Leya's album 'Watch You Don't Take Off' gained them wide critical acclaim from Hot Press and Meteor Music Awards. Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody exclaimed 'Ciaran Gribbin has one of the most extraordinary voices I've heard in a long time.'

Now, as Joe Echo, Ciaran is breaking new ground, with an upbeat, groove-oriented sound.

M Online caught up with Ciaran.
 

1. How would you describe your sound?

Music that moves your heart and soul as well as your feet! (Most of the time)

2. You are recording your album at the moment, how is it going?

It’s going great although it’s taking a lot longer than I thought it would… But I’m not forcing it, and I’m really enjoying shaping the songs.

3. You still live in Northern Ireland, how important is place to your sound?

Not very important… although I love being around family and friends so they do help shape me as a person. In turn the music would probably sound a lot different if I lived in Siberia or California.

4. You were in the band Leya for 8 years supporting Franz Ferdinand and Interpol amongst others, do you miss that time?

Some days when I’m touring I miss the guys a lot. But we are still mates and we all have made music together on separate projects. I have to say though I’ve never been happier as a musician as I am now. I feel totally free to try out new things and I’m pushing myself more than ever.

5. What has been your most memorable gig so far?

Supporting The Script in a sold out St Georges Market in Belfast last Christmas. 2,800 people on your home turf is not a bad day in anyone’s terms!

6. You have been writing and recording with artists such as Paul Oakenfold and Groove Armada, how does this differ from your acoustic efforts?

It’s very similar. I don’t see styles of music as an obstacle. It’s all just music… chords, rhythm, melodies and lyrics that somehow come together to form a song. It’s been great to work with massive artists though, and I have learnt a lot from the experience.

7. You are producing the soundtrack for the film ‘Heartless’ starring Jim Sturgess. Tell us about that.

That happened through luck more than anything. A close friend in the music business played some of my material to Philip Ridley the Writer/Director and he really liked my voice. Initially all they wanted me to do was record and sing two songs that the Director had co-written. They really liked the versions I did and one thing lead to another. I ended up recording and co-producing the soundtrack and singing on several of the tracks. I even had Jim Sturgess over to my home studio in Co Derry to record some vocals!

8. Who has been the greatest musical inspiration?

This is a tough one… There have been a few major influences. As a kid I used to be hypnotised by the local musicians at the traditional sessions. Then I had my rock/metal/grunge phase. Bands like Iron Maiden/Metallica/Nirvana all made a huge impact on me.
But probably my biggest influences were the tutors at a music college I went to in Bangor Northern Ireland. I was surrounded by like-minded musicians who gave me so much encouragement. I owe them a lot of thanks.

9. What song either through collaboration or your own are you most proud of?

Let’s Change The World. I co-wrote this with Francis Rossi and Bob Young from the mighty Status Quo. That was great in itself, but the fact that the song got short listed for a Coca Cola Advert was very sweet! It’s also recently appeared in the Newsweek USA series ‘Obama-The First 100 Days’.

10. How important are royalties to you as a writer?

Very important… I’ve never been money driven but I think it’s a great reward for a writer to see some kind of financial recognition for all the hard work that’s been gone before.

11. In light of the recent YouTube situation, how important do you think online royalties are for the future of artists and bands?

This issue won’t be resolved easily. I think the Internet is only going to get bigger, so it’s only fair that the artist/songwriter gets rewarded for the viewing on the Internet – just like a radio play or a TV placement.