WATCH: Somebody's Child explores Ireland's drift culture in 'I Need Ya'

Somebody’s Child, forged by bandleader Cian Godfrey, has released the new single ‘I Need Ya’ from the outfit's upcoming debut self-titled album (out February 3rd).

The fast-paced video, directed by Jack Cantrell, shows London-based Godfrey in the passenger seat of a car scorching around bends at high-speed.

The accompanying video shines a light on a an Irish subculture "that goes a little unnoticed": “Drift culture is a big thing in Ireland and when the director came to me with the idea I immediately thought it was cool as some of my friends are big into it. We didn’t want an emotional video but something fun and energetic," he said in a press release.

Somebody's Child's debut album was created with producer Mikko Gordon (The Smile, Gaz Coombes, Thom Yorke) at East London’s Hackney Road Studios. Speaking about the release, Godfrey said, “This was one of the first songs that defined the sound and pace of the album. We’ve been playing it live for a while now and have been dying to get it out. Some of this album can be boiled down back to my chronic fear of growing older. To me this track in particular is a gentle reminder to stay young for as long as you can.”

Check out the clip below, which follows recent album cuts 'Broken Record', 'Sell Out' and re-release 'We Could Start A War'.

Somebody’s Child is embarking on a tour of the UK, Ireland, and Europe - with London, Manchester, and Amsterdam shows already sold out. He will also be making his US debut at SXSW, as well as performing at Rough Trade East in London. Tickets on sale here.

Growing up in Paris in the late 90s/early 00s, a young Cian Godfrey was pushed into playing piano, with little other exposure to music aside from his father’s small record collection featuring the likes of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. Leaving school, Godfrey attended BIMM Dublin, which ultimately gave him the time he needed to develop and form Somebody's Child.

Since then, he's performed on The Late Late Show, supported Kodaline, The Coronas, Kaiser Chiefs, Primal Scream and released a string of blistering EPs.

The 20-Something EP, released during lockdown in 2020 gave Godfrey his first airplay on stations such as BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, and nods on numerous high-profile Spotify playlists. Two EPs followed in quick succession (2021’s Hope, Amongst Other Things and Staying Sane), and Somebody’s Child finally performed his first headline tour of the UK and Ireland in late 2021.

Containing songs old and new, the forthcoming LP - released through indie label Frenchkiss Records - acts as touchstone for where Somebody’s Child is today. Thematically, it’s a melting pot of the band’s influences - ‘80s synth sounds inspired by The Cure and Joy Division and guitar riffs which recall the mid/late 2000s indie rock.

“It’s a culmination of a lot of different areas and styles, but comes together under the same sonic heading,” Godfrey notes. “The album is the idea of the ‘80s rolling into the ‘00s in 2022. Most of all, I want my music to help people who are struggling. I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks and music grounded me, so I would like to think my music could help change someone’s life too.”

Pre-order the debut album from Somebody's Child here.

Tour Dates

20th Jan 2023 - Eurosonic, Groningen
7th Feb 2023 - Rough Trade East, London
8th Feb 2023 - Night & Day Cafe, Manchester SOLD OUT
9th Feb 2023 - Foundry Studio, Sheffield
11th Feb 2023 - Joiners, Southampton
12th Feb 2023 - Exchange, Bristol
14th Feb 2023 - Omeara, London SOLD OUT
17th Feb 2023 - Jimmy’s, Liverpool
18th Feb 2023 - Think Thank, Newcastle
19th Feb 2023 - King Tut’s, Glasgow
21st Feb 2023 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
24th Feb 2023 - Róisín Dubh, Galway
25th Feb 2023 - Dolan’s, Limerick

1st March 2023 - Ulster Sports Club, Belfast
2nd March 2023 - Cyprus Avenue, Cork
3rd March 2023 - The Academy, Dublin
4th March 2023 - Spirit Store, Dundalk
8th March 2023 - Le POPUP du Label, Paris
9th March 2023 - Trix Bar, Antwerp

10th March 2023 - Paradiso (Upstairs), Amsterdam SOLD OUT

11th March 2023 - Privatclub, Berlin
14th-18th March 2023 - SXSW, Austin
22nd March 2023 - Mercury Lounge, New York
23rd March 2023 - The Middle East (Upstairs), Boston