Music
12 Oct 24

Track of The Day: Seánie Bermingham, ‘Mission For The Dead’

The title track from the singer's upcoming album, the dreamlike ‘Mission For The Dead’ was recorded entirely in a farm in Tipperary.

The second single from Seánie Bermingham’s debut album, set for an early 2025 release, ‘Mission For the Dead’ is a soul-stirring effort from the Irish artist, thanks to the artist’s Sufjann Stevens-like soundscapes, complete with shimmering arpeggios and a silky smooth vocal performance.

According to the musician, his upcoming record is structured into five distinct yet interconnected chapters, each exploring his journey through new territories in both the world and within himself.

This specific track is part of the second chapter, titled "Memory and Disconnection," delving into relationships with others and himself during times of poor mental health. ‘Mission For The Dead' focuses on themes of memory and shifting emotions.

“It explores the complex interplay of memory, loss, and the quiet, defining moments within a relationship,” Birmingham comments. “It uncovers how ordinary experiences - like "copper lined with gold" - hold hidden, precious value, illustrating that even the simplest moments can carry deep emotional significance.

“The lyrics reflect a desire for effortless togetherness, even if it means just sitting in silence, while grappling with the challenge of feeling misunderstood or disconnected from a partner or oneself. There’s a sense of searching for meaning, particularly when it seems the other person doesn’t fully understand their own significance or the impact of their absence.

“Ultimately,” he concludes, “the song reflects on how memories persist in the small, everyday details - "the patterns on the wall, tea stain on the floor, photos by the bed". These quiet remnants capture how someone continues to exist in subtle ways, even after they’re gone, leaving traces that never fully fade.”

The track, as well as the whole album, was recorded entirely in Bermingham's “music room” in a farm back in his native Tipperary - a 250-year-old renovated cowshed which features high ceilings and original stone walls.

Listen to ‘Mission For The Dead’ below: