Ivan St John
Dublin, Leinster, Ireland | INDIE
Music
Press
"Although he does sing and write songs, lumping Ivan St John in to the Dublin singer-songwriter category would be doing him a huge disservice. Bypassing the morose whinging about girls who don't like you angle, the man once known as Pinky, and his band have embraced buoyant, instrument-driven pop music. The gypsy rhythm of Edwina makes for the highlight of this excellent debut."
* POM - Totally Dublin
"Ivan St John played support. He and his band deserve kudos for their playful performance that literally warms up the audience who have just come in from a typically unforgiving Galway storm with a mixture of pop, folk and blues using ukuleles and kazoos."
* Liam Griffin
- State.ie
"After a nice, quick change-over, Ivan St John and his band launch into their strange mix of bouncy acoustic guitars, rowdy rhythm and vocals that hop from a breathy Antony Hegarty to a restrained Caleb Followill and an out-of-breath Paul Weller. It’s such a multi-faceted affair, it’s hard to decide if you like what they’re doing to you but it’s certainly interesting." - www.kdamo.wordpress.com
Irish Daily Mirror.
"THE SNUFF OF DREAMS." "Album will single Ivan St John out for recognition."
"Ivan St John's Up To Snuff hits the shop shelves today and it's a record like no other you will hear this year - in a good way.
Already the infectious single There You Stand has been creeping into the ears of the public, throwing it's bitter sweet hooks into the minds of many.
And now the long-player indicates a bright future for Ivan St John.
The album is jam packed with catchy tunes and perfect pop songs like There You Stand but there's obvious musical skill behind them.
There's something quirky and almost old fashioned in Ivan's singing and writing style but ultimately this record works as something incredibly different and refreshing.
Up To Snuff is a diary of disastrous romances, heartache, blossoming love and everyday life.
But with such uplifting tunes and a refreshing attitude, it will be very hard not to love this record."
* Maeve Quigley
Irish Mail On Sunday
"The Dubliner is brave in the sense that listening to the catchy There You Stand you'd think that the seismic musical shifts of the past 40, even 50, years hasn't moved him a jot. The droll quality to the lyrics of songs such as Senectitude Becomes Her and Edwina echo that of Neil Hannon. When he mentions smoking 'skunk' on Mysterious Ways you realise his head is very much turned on to the present day."
The Star
"Dubliner Ivan St John has an alluringly odd nasal voice that reminds us of Zachary Francis Condon from Beirut but is more unique than that.
With a clever use of harmonies adding to its charm, the voice graces a collection of cheerful acoustic pop tunes utilising an eclectic array of instruments including electric pianos, kazoos, ukuleles and jazz flutes.
The songwriting occasionally hints at Neil Hannon dramatics, but its predominant influences are early doo-wop and rock n' roll."
Sunday Business Post
"Dublin singer songwriter Ivan St John showcases the virtues of his diverse musical palette on this endearingly of f-kilter debut album that manages the neat trick of sounding both refreshingly new and comfortingly old-fashioned.
Recorded in Chicago and mastered at Abbey Road, Up To Snuff’s ten tracks prove that St John (pronounced ‘Sinjun’) and his three-piece band are as enthralled by skiffle, music hall and ragtime as folk, psychedelic pop and indie rock.
The harmonious There You Stand, the foot-tapping Edwina and the delightfully flamboyant Senectitude Becomes Her are highlights of a lovingly crafted record that’s steeped in musical history.
With a bit of luck, if St John’s template is followed, the days of Dublin singer-songwriters whining about lost love over some rehashed Nick Drake plucking maybe over."
* JC
Irish Independent.
"This Dublin-based singer-songwriter has delivered a sweet little album likely to raise a smile or two. If you're looking for a domestic album with oodles of charm, you won't go far wrong with this."
* John Meagher
The Irish Times
"(Ivan St John has a) distinctive nasal warble, some smashing harmonies and a great understanding of melody.
St John’s debut was recorded in Steve Albini’s fancy Chicago studio, but it’s the homemade charm of songs such as Senectitude Becomes Her and Mysterious Ways that gives Up to Snuff its allure. There’s a lot to bounce, tap and nod along to on this unassuming debut."
* Lauren Murphy
Hot Press
"(Ivan's) record is soaked in close harmony singing and unusually sweet male vocals" and "sounds like genuinely unexplored territory for the modern indie musician on the make."
* Patrick Freyne - Various
"(Ivan St John has a) distinctive nasal warble, some smashing harmonies and a great understanding of melody.
St John’s debut was recorded in Steve Albini’s fancy Chicago studio, but it’s the homemade charm of songs such as Senectitude Becomes Her and Mysterious Ways that gives Up to Snuff its allure. There’s a lot to bounce, tap and nod along to on this unassuming debut."
* Lauren Murphy - The Irish Times
"One of the outstanding Irish releases of the year."
* Craig Fitzpatrick - Hot Press
"The Dubliner is brave in the sense that listening to the catchy There You Stand you'd think that the seismic musical shifts of the past 40, even 50, years hasn't moved him a jot. The droll quality to the lyrics of songs such as Senectitude Becomes Her and Edwina echo that of Neil Hannon. When he mentions smoking 'skunk' on Mysterious Ways you realise his head is very much turned on to the present day." - Irish Mail On Sunday
"This Dublin-based singer-songwriter has delivered a sweet little album likely to raise a smile or two. If you're looking for a domestic album with oodles of charm, you won't go far wrong with this."
* John Meagher - Irish Independent.
"Dublin singer songwriter Ivan St John showcases the virtues of his diverse musical palette on this endearingly of f-kilter debut album that manages the neat trick of sounding both refreshingly new and comfortingly old-fashioned.
Recorded in Chicago and mastered at Abbey Road, Up To Snuff’s ten tracks prove that St John (pronounced ‘Sinjun’) and his three-piece band are as enthralled by skiffle, music hall and ragtime as folk, psychedelic pop and indie rock.
The harmonious There You Stand, the foot-tapping Edwina and the delightfully flamboyant Senectitude Becomes Her are highlights of a lovingly crafted record that’s steeped in musical history.
With a bit of luck, if St John’s template is followed, the days of Dublin singer-songwriters whining about lost love over some rehashed Nick Drake plucking maybe over."
* JC
- Sunday Business Post
"Dublin singer songwriter Ivan St John showcases the virtues of his diverse musical palette on this endearingly of f-kilter debut album that manages the neat trick of sounding both refreshingly new and comfortingly old-fashioned.
Recorded in Chicago and mastered at Abbey Road, Up To Snuff’s ten tracks prove that St John (pronounced ‘Sinjun’) and his three-piece band are as enthralled by skiffle, music hall and ragtime as folk, psychedelic pop and indie rock.
The harmonious There You Stand, the foot-tapping Edwina and the delightfully flamboyant Senectitude Becomes Her are highlights of a lovingly crafted record that’s steeped in musical history.
With a bit of luck, if St John’s template is followed, the days of Dublin singer-songwriters whining about lost love over some rehashed Nick Drake plucking maybe over."
* JC
- Sunday Business Post
"Dubliner Ivan St John has an alluringly odd nasal voice that reminds us of Zachary Francis Condon from Beirut but is more unique than that.
With a clever use of harmonies adding to its charm, the voice graces a collection of cheerful acoustic pop tunes utilising an eclectic array of instruments including electric pianos, kazoos, ukuleles and jazz flutes.
The songwriting occasionally hints at Neil Hannon dramatics, but its predominant influences are early doo-wop and rock n' roll." - The Star
"THE SNUFF OF DREAMS." "Album will single Ivan St John out for recognition."
"Ivan St John's Up To Snuff hits the shop shelves today and it's a record like no other you will hear this year - in a good way.
Already the infectious single There You Stand has been creeping into the ears of the public, throwing it's bitter sweet hooks into the minds of many.
And now the long-player indicates a bright future for Ivan St John.
The album is jam packed with catchy tunes and perfect pop songs like There You Stand but there's obvious musical skill behind them.
There's something quirky and almost old fashioned in Ivan's singing and writing style but ultimately this record works as something incredibly different and refreshing.
Up To Snuff is a diary of disastrous romances, heartache, blossoming love and everyday life.
But with such uplifting tunes and a refreshing attitude, it will be very hard not to love this record."
* Maeve Quigley - Irish Daily Mirror.
"There You Stand is quirky, playful and very, very sweet."
* Celina Murphy - Hot Press
"(Ivan's) record is soaked in close harmony singing and unusually sweet male vocals" and "sounds like genuinely unexplored territory for the modern indie musician on the make."
* Patrick Freyne - Hot Press
Discography
Debut album "Up To Snuff" is released Friday 12th November 2010.
Lead single available as free download from BandCamp from Friday 5th November 2010.
Photos
Bio
IVAN ST JOHN
UP TO SNUFF
The debut album, releasing in Ireland November 12, on Nestegg Records
Lead single - There You Stand - out November 5
And now for something completely different...
Dublin pop songwriter Ivan St John has been quietly plying his trade over the last number of years. Despite performing shows and touring with artists of the ilk of Camera Obscura, Richard Swift, Of Montreal, Rodriguez, Bowerbirds and The Walkmen, he has avoided screechy hyperbole, choosing instead to get on with the work at hand. No scenester ligging, no grandiose claims to next big thing titles. Ivan St John has simply been playing and writing and recording and playing and writing and recording. Having grown-up in St. Patricks Cathedral Choir, Ivan has been cocooned in music since he was eight, inspired by the juxtaposition of listening to Paul Simon and Queen on the way to school and then singing Allegris Miserere in the evening.
Fast forward twelve years and Ivan St John prepares to release his debut LP, Up To Snuff:
Every song Ive ever written has been plotted out obsessively before recording, I have to visualise every element, every little touch. I think I'd find it impossible to hand over control of production to another person. If you listen to someone like Bjork, or Shiina Ringo, Os Mutantes, Gong, or even Bowie you see their use of unconventional techniques and instrumentation serving the songs perfectly. There is a world of sound out there. Why restrict yourself? Plus, to paraphrase John Lennon "I'm a fucking musician, give me a tuba and I'll get you something out of it." So says Ivan.
There mightnt be any tubas on his debut album Up to Snuff, but a wurlitzer, ukulele, glockenspiel and a colossal closing chorus of kazoos on A Pressing Question all make an appearance. I play with two musicians who would be enviable to any contemporary act. Rhythm and bass is integral to the sound of the record, he says. With Liam [Marley] and Ray [Murphy] I know the backbone will be rock solid. Its a fantastic creative catalyst.
Ivan plays the role of musical comforter on the albums opening track and lead single There You Stand. I hate to be the one that has to break this news to you, he sings. But youll get over it one day. Up To Snuff is full of such comforts, heartbreaks, tenderness and humour, narrated by Ivans warm, resonant voice. Some songs knowingly reveal his love of 60's pop, but they are always layered with more contemporary ideas. "I wear my influences on my sleeve, and people will either get that or they won't, but this record sounds like nothing else out there."
Ivan is very much of the bedroom producer generation, recording songs on dodgy tape decks since he was knee- high. And in the bedroom is very much where his debut album was conceived. Nonetheless, to finish the job he took the plunge and headed to a real studio. And where better than Steve Albinis celebrated Chicago hangout Electrical Audio. Making the album in Electrical Audio was going to be a vastly different experience. You definitely get a sense of it being the studio of a guy who understands exactly what he wants from it and the gear at our disposal was unbelievable.
Rob Bochnik, one of the Electrical Audio founders, manned the controls on Up to Snuff:I'd say to Rob, "Do you reckon he'd have this or that? Hed wander off and return a while later with what I asked for, plus a bunch of alternatives. It was unreal. The studio is connected to Steve's house and we could pan out in his living room. He had a billiards table and the biggest VHS collection you've ever seen.
The cover art was created by Frank O' Sullivan, a Limerick based artist. When I saw it, I just fell in love. It was a perfect summation of the dominant theme of the album. Life can be bitter, but its fun to dress it up in a catchy melody. I hope there's a depth there for people, that they can identify with the songs, see past the poppy exterior and hopefully see something of themselves, or people they know, in the characters.
Up To Snuff releases on Nestegg Records on November 12th. The lead single, There You Stand, is out on November 5th
WWW.IVANSTJOHN.BANDCAMP.COM
For further information, contact Emma at Entertainment Architects on +353 1 2606998/emma@ealtd.ie
www.entertainmentarchitects.ie
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