New To Hot Press: October Fires

October Fires have been described as 'Radiohead meets Tori Amos.'

Yet, even that doesn't do justice to the four-piece Kildare band. Their second single 'Pray', is a gothic pop gem that marries slow hypnotic harmonies to a jarring, haunting, yet gorgeous melody. Pianist and singer Carol Somers lists Autumn and Edgar Allan Poe as influences.

"It's Halloween", she says. "It's that mystical time of year. As a band, we're drawn to things beautiful but eerie".

October Fires music is very intimate, perhaps because the band consists of best friends and family.

"That massively impacts on how we write and sound", she nods. "Lisa Baker (percussion, piano and vocals) and I met 15 years ago. We were studying music in Maynooth and clicked from day one. Bass player Eoghan O'Neill is my husband and guitarist Eric Somers is my brother. It's an incredibly easy, comfortable atmosphere".

The band are mostly teachers, so they're using their summer holidays to record their as-yet-untitled Gavin Glass produced EP. Speaking about the time off, Somers laughs: "It's absolutely brilliant! It's a full-time thing writing and recording. Time is precious, so we'll certainly use it".

October Fires play a rare acoustic set at Tea Lane Graveyard Chapel in Cellbridge on September 22, and then launch their Halloween-released EP on October 27. While the venue has not been revealed, Somers teases that it will be in a "really cool, historical building".

Poe would be proud.

'Pray' is out now