Memorial – announces headline at Whelan’s Upstairs Dublin

Following on from the rousing response to their much-loved self-titled debut album in 2022, which found praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1, CLASH Magazine, The Independent, Sunday Times, NOTION and many more, acclaimed alt-folk duo Memorial have now made their eagerly-awaited return to deliver the new single “Corduroy” through Lucy Rose’s Real Kind Records (Bess Atwell, Samantha Crain).

Marking their first piece of new material since their eponymous full-length LP, “Corduroy” sees the pair pick up almost exactly where they left off. Returning with more of that warm and tender acoustic-led aesthetic they have cultivated since their earliest beginnings, this new effort captures the same breezy atmosphere they are known for, brimming with warm and alluring vocals throughout. The track is accompanied by a beautifully shot music video filmed just outside of Port Talbot in Maesteg, directed by Jake Dypka.

Speaking about the new offering, they said, “Corduroy is the actualisation of a feeling. It was written in the residual joy following a perfect day. One of those days that hits a sweet spot – The weather holds out, it’s so unplanned but all your friends seem to be available, no effort is required to feel comfortable and your mind is so spacious that it has enough room to simultaneously be present in the moment and witness it as an outer body experience. This song is about the memory of a day like this and knowing that not every day can be like this.”

Memorial is a project rooted in friendship, one fuelled by unflinching honesty. Ollie Spalding and Jack Watts were friends first, and songwriting partners second, and this quality sets them apart. They’re marked by that peculiar alchemy when two voices become one, a special sense of human connection wrought through harmony and emboldened with experience.

Their self-titled first record was sculpted over the pandemic and released on Real Kind Records – the boutique Communion imprint chaired by Lucy Rose – the record displayed their core values. “The emotion has to be right,” says Oliver. “When we record songs, we want to stay true to the emotion – as though those songs had just been written seconds before they were recorded.”

The success of their debut brought fresh experiences – collaborating with Flyte, Talos and Olafur Arnold and supporting the likes of Matthew and the Atlas, Christian Lee Hutson and Anais Mitchell  – but also new challenges.

Looking for perfect moments within our imperfect lives, Memorial have displayed an extraordinary sense of character to drive themselves forwards. “We’ve let go of trying to make everything sound perfect,” says Jack. “Being vulnerable in that way means that the end product is truer to you than it ever could be. There’s a realness to it.” Memorial have taken true ownership of their lives, pushing through enormous challenges to unlock new aspects of their artistry, and actualise their dreams.

Memorial announce headline show at Whelan’s Upstairs, Dublin 

Thursday, 21 November 2024

Tickets from €14.00 plus booking fees, on sale now from singularartists.ie