At the heart of Bannered Mare’s sound is their undeniable chemistry and camaraderie as a band. Completed by Alan Kilcullen (drums/vocals), Paul Higgins (guitar/vocals), Derek Ellard (guitar/vocals) and Kyle Dee (bass/vocals). The band describe their music as ‘A reflection of the human experience, full of passion, emotion, and energy’.
Writing and releasing an album is a monstrous task and brings it’s own set of challenges, but it was a release that Bannered Mare felt was necessary. Already having a number of EPs and singles under their belt, which offered a snapshot of the band at the time, their choice to release an album was an opportunity to fully express themselves and their ideas over a larger and cohesive body of work.
Taking a DIY approach to recording of the album meant that Joe was responsible for producing and mixing the album. A process which he says, at times, tested his mental health, as he tried to maintain perspective while being so close to the project, and letting almost imperceptible imperfections slide. Bannered Mare have a predilection for recording in unusual places which to both a shed and Joe’s daughters bedroom being retrofit to accommodate the recording process.
The songwriting for the album was vastly done by Joe, during sessions late at night. Ideas pulling him from his bed in the middle of the night and working through until the dawn, keen to capture lightning in the bottle before the idea slipped away. Then he would take it to the band who would each take their respective hammers to anvil, helping shape it together.