Little Hooks

The littlest birds sing the purdiest songs and Little Hooks are proof, were proof needed, that when it comes to making good music, size counts for naught. All you need are two guys and two guitars to emit the sweetest of sounds.

Rolling harmonies, gentle and gritty guitar and soulful melodies combine to create a folk sound that is easy and unrushed. A condensed wonder since their second album was recorded in just three days.

"Well we both work full time so we didn’t have much choice" says Marty who met Ruairi in 1993 when they both enrolled to study music at the Nerve Centre in Derry.

After finishing his course Ruairi made a career in music as bassist with the highly acclaimed Cuckoo. When the band was signed to Geffen Marty became involved as engineer, guitar tech, roadie, driver and "all round agony aunt".

The Hooks are not really interested in seeking out a “holy grail recording deal” being self sufficient and creative is more than enough for the duo.

Their own sound defies categorization, "We don’t sit anywhere comfortably. We’ve been called alternative folk, alternative country, punk folk." Influences include "Pavement, Elliott Smith, Johnny Cash, Carol King any good songwriters really".

The Hooks are becoming highly sought after for their unique vocal talents, which feature strongly on the harmony rich Beach Boys esq Winter Sun taken from Get What You Need, The Undertones most recent album. Tracey Cullen also called on the boys to add the "icing on the cake" to her new album 4 in the Morning

Having recently scored the music for Home a short film produced by Sharon Concannon they have been busy in different areas testing the waters in composition, session vocals and workshop development.

Their debut album Little Hooks proved to be something of a sleeping giant with more airplay and demand for it now than upon its release two years ago.

The new album SAFE LIFE released on October 8 already has something of a fanbase.