Fontaines D.C. guitarist Carlos O’Connell discusses “one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard”
In 2019, Fontaines D.C. gained widespread attention with their debut album, Dogrel, receiving critical acclaim and earning a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize. Subsequently, the band remained dynamically active, swiftly releasing A Hero’s Death, a timely arrival amid the pandemic, and further evolving their sound on their third album, Skinty Fia.
The band, fronted by Grian Chatten and comprising guitarist Carlos O’Connell, bassist Conor Deegan III, and drummer Tom Coll, appear to be on a relentless ascent toward stardom in alternative music. Their distinctively Irish interpretation of post-punk has struck a chord with a generation seeking something irregular amid the homogeneity of contemporary pop music.
Far from your usual indie rock energy, the development of the band’s sound has contributed significantly to their success as industry trailblazers. While some remain stagnant, consistently churning out similar-sounding albums, Fontaines D.C. take pride in constantly evolving.
As Chatten explained: “We don’t want to remain a band who walk on stage and claim, ‘This song is about this!’ We want to make something more impressionistic. We don’t need to raise our voices all the time.”
With that, O’Connell added: “There’s something valuable in the fire of youth. But your emotions become more considered.”
O’Connell remains a pivotal aspect of the band’s trajectory not only in shaping its sonic identity but in earning them acclaim and a devoted fanbase. As the music world eagerly awaits future projects, O’Connell’s talent and dedication foreshadow a promising contribution to contemporary music. Skinny Fia emerged as the perfect example of this: a rallying cry, a fervent declaration against British presumption and Irish traditionalism.
When asked about his personal influences, O’Connell remains eclectic. Citing musicians from Blur to Kendrick Lamar, the guitarist doesn’t shy away from expanding his musical horizons. Regarding tracks that cut deep, leaving a profound mark on his mind and musical approaches, O’Connell names The Smashing Pumpkins’ track ‘Today’.
“When I was in my early teens I was very into grunge music – very, just the noise of it,” O´Connell tells Red Bull. “And then I found The Smashing Pumpkins to have like this incredible sensibility – it’s soft and super vicious at the same time, and I don’t think there’s another band that parallels that. This is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I love the guitars in it as well.”
Check out the song below.
