Track of the Day: Blue Fish Diamond, '1980s'

Indie folk rock outfit Blue Fish Diamond’s newest tune ‘1980s’ is an inspiring offering about the loss of a loved one and the longing to see them again. The track looks back on past days spent together in a nostalgic, captivating ballad.

The artwork for the song was designed to convey a sense of absence and the emptiness of grief, designed by Cathal MacHale. ‘1980s’ was produced by Gavin Glass at Orphan Recording Studios and it was written by Jim Murphy.

The opening line “I’ve been spending my days trying to find a way to the 1980s” captures the finite and irreversible nature of death. In the form of a nostalgic ode, the song reminisces about days spent together. A desire to return to the past culminates in acceptance that this cannot happen with the line “Long is the road and I don’t know if I’m ever going to make it”.

A strong guitar string led song, backed by the gentle shake of maracas, showcases a beautiful harmony between Jim and Matilda singing “I miss you” - a simple phrase carrying so much weight. The track gains momentum, bursting into an upbeat, full sound, violin interwoven to the song.

Blue Fish Diamond was founded in 2016 by Jim Murphy, who in 2014 left a 25 year career in the insurance industry to pursue music full-time. Murphy sings lead vocals and plays guitar, Matilda O’Mahony provides backing vocals, Laura Ryder is on keys, Axel McDonald plays lead guitar, Ronan Quinn ison bass, and Shay Sweeney plays the drums.

In 2018, the band released their compelling debut album From Dark to Light and followed this up in 2021 with their second album Frozen Stars on the Night. The band’s influences can clearly be heard throughout their gripping work, showing similarities to Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, The Beatles and Paul Simon.

Blue Fish Diamond’s music has been played on radio stations across Ireland including on national radio and they have also caught the attention of radio presenters in various European countries, the United States, Canada and Australia. They have played at many Dublin music venues including Whelans, The Workman’s Club and The Grand Social, as well as Electric Picnic in 2018.

Check out the new track below!