Ahead of the launch of the new Chase the River Album, I caught up with Stuart Lunn, to find out what was going to be coming from one of Ireland’s most up and coming acts…
So, for those of us who have not maybe heard of Chase the River (yet), tell us a little bit about yourself?
Well, Chase the River as a project has been going for just over 2 years and has been a really interesting adventure. Originally I had played around in bands, or writing for others and I wanted to create a musical project that would allow me to write the songs I wanted, without giving as much thought to genre, putting all of my focus on writing properly ‘honest’ music, rather than second guessing what a certain ‘type’ of person might want to listen to.
And it seems to have worked really quite well?
Yeah it has been amazing! The first EP, which was done on a shoestring budget of a couple of hundred pounds (recording is really expensive, it really wasn’t a lot) really resonated with people, and it got Chase the River nominated for ‘best irish act’, ‘best EP’ and ‘best newcomer’ and the Irish Pure M awards. The next album, again quite a humble effort, was featured on apps for people learning to play guitar. It also got me booked on a European tour to Netherlands and Copenhagen with festivals aplenty and then later last year a full Irish and UK tour with End of the trail records.
So you have been busy! I have to ask, where did the name come from?
You would be amazed how often I get asked this. The name was pretty simple to come across. I am the sort of guy who loves an ad-hoc adventure, walking out the door without a real plan, and I felt that chasing a river encapsulated that ideal, sort of aimless wandering but to a good place, if that makes sense…
So you have a new album coming out? Tell us a little bit more about that.
Yeah it is a really quite exciting time. The new album is called ‘Recycle your regrets’ and it is a lot of ‘new’ things for Chase the River. It was written over the course of about a year-18 months, and I can honestly say it is the single best collection of songs I have ever written, some of the songs that didn’t make the cut I was really sad to leave out, which I suppose is a nice problem to have! We recorded it up at millbank studios with James Lyttle, and was mastered by Pete Maher, who has worked with the likes of U2, the Pixies and Linkin Park. Also, probably most importantly, I decided to try to crowdfund the album, which, thankfully came off with a couple of weeks to spare, it wouldn’t have been the same without their support.
What would have happened without the crowdfunding, would we be sitting here having this conversation?
Oh definitely, I would have found another way to get the record out, but it wouldn’t be the same. Like I said, there is a lot of ‘new’ in this as far as Chase the River goes. It is a full band album, with some amazing musicians, but more importantly friends who contributed soo much to making it a success. I have a real vision for Recycle your regrets, and without the generosity of my fans I do not think it would have been realised fully. The (relative) lack of budgetary constraints let me make the album I wanted to make, rather than just the one I could afford to make.
So what can we expect from the album
Well there are 9 songs on the album, each one marking a very specific event or part of my life. I guess it comes with getting a bit older (yet no wiser). I don’t want to give away too many specifics as it might ruin the songs if you know the stories behind them. It is a big album sound wise, and I really think/hope it is going to sit really well with people, as it is by FAR the happiest I have ever been with a record I have put out.
Exciting! So when can we get our hands on it?
Soon, really soon. We launch officially at the American bar in belfast on the 17th of June. Kris Marsden and Kevin Young are supporting me on the night and there are still a few tickets left. I don’t believe in charging a fortune for gigs, so they are £4 and you can get them over at the website www.chasetheriver.com. You can also get the last couple of albums there. The new album goes up for pre-sale on the 20th May, and when you order it, you will get a copy of the first single ‘Pretend’ instantly!
What are your plans after that then?
Well more gigs, and touring more, once you get on the road it is a hard bug to shake!
So we will be seeing more of you?
Definitely, when I am not on the road I am popping up all over Ireland. The easiest thing is to sign up on the website for the newsletter for gigs and other fun stuff, discounts on merchandise and stuff. Or facebook (www.facebook.com/chasetheriver) or instagram or Twitter (occasionally). But yeah if you search Chase the River in google, or spotify, or anything involving the internet you will find ways to keep in touch! And I love it when people do actually, it is always awesome to hear from fans and see them out and about!
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