Man Alive has released his debut EP ‘Colours’.
Man Alive is the solo project from Kodaline’s Mark Prendergast which showcases an alternative sound to his musical flair.
Speaking of his debut EP release, Mark said: “Some songs are about going through a really shitty time, and there are some about wanting to sit around the house, and just not have to deal with real life. Like everybody else in this world, you go through moments where you’re fucking great and you go through moments where you’re not. I suppose each song is just about a different kind of emotion, and that discovery of figuring out who you are and all that kind of craic.”
To celebrate the EP release, Mark shared with us five tracks that influenced ‘Colours’.
James Blake – The Wilhelm Scream | Listen via Spotify
I still remember the first time I heard James Blake’s first record. I was lying on my friends bed half asleep and we played it start to finish. I had never heard anything that sounded like it before. It was jarring at times but something about it grabbed me instantly. This is my favourite track of that album. It’s the same line repeated over a track of lush synth sounds that expand as the track goes on. It still sounds brand new to me today.
Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water | Listen via Spotify
If ever there was a song to knock you out but pick you up at the same time it’s this. It has to be one of the best songs of all time, everyone knows it. Soon as you the piano intro your taken away. The harmonies are beautiful and the lyric is one of my favourites I’ve ever heard. I listened to it on a plane only yesterday and it floored me again.
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit | Listen via Spotify
This is my new favourite artist at the minute. He’s an incredible guitar player and singer. He writes all his stuff on his phone and doesn’t rely on a studio, that’s pretty kind blowing. I love when a song starts with the chorus, straight out the gate it’s in your head and it stays there.
The Gloaming – Samhradh Samhradh | Listen via Spotify
This sounds just sounds like Ireland to me. Whenever I’m in the car driving around the countryside I stick this on. It’s sung in Irish which I absolutely love. There’s pain in there even though the lyric is very hopeful.. ‘We brought in the summer’ I think the gloaming are one of the Irish exports in the last while. I saw them live a while back in Dublin and it was an experience to say the least.
The Beatles – Norwegian Wood | Listen via Spotify
I couldn’t put together a list like this without putting in a Beatles song. They’re my fav route band and I think they always will be, for obvious reasons. ‘Norwegian Wood’ is my favourite of theirs at the minute. It’s constant changing. It holds one of my favourite John Lennon lyrics, ‘I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me’. I play this song on guitar all the time at home when I’m noodling away.
You can listen to Man Alive’s new EP ‘Colours’ via Spotify below:
Stream Man Alive’s musical influences playlist via Spotify below