The Stan sermons

My name is Declan Duffy. I’ve been writing songs and playing in bands or on my own for 8 years or so and now have around 30 usable songs, some of which I've recorded under the name The Stan Sermons. To come straight to the point, I just want to make the best music I've ever heard and for as many people as possible to hear it.
The time I spent in bands was obviously hugely educational - I learnt to play, write songs, sing and play live and I always felt part of an exciting and important collective. Certainly, by the time of my second band I could really envisage a career for us. But a band is very lucky if they have no downsides to their existence, and those old issues, personal and musical differences, led to too many problems and the eventual demise of any serious prospects for us.
Anyone here knows, though, that you can't, and don't, simply give up when something doesn't work. I am as committed to my music, and to working at succeeding with it, as it is possible to be, so all I could do was start again, this time on my own without the burden of band politics and clashing opinions. So out came the guitar and pen and a big load of songs resulted.
Starting anew on something really makes you appreciate all over again the music you love most, and listening with fresh ears to all my favourite music really helped with my writing. My principal influences are The Stone Roses, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Pogues, Atlantic, Stax and other old soul, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, and Phil Spector. I try to ensure that the breadth of all that comes through in my own songs - I always think that a band is wasting their influences if all their songs sound similar.

So, to the present. Even though I'm currently playing live on my own, my demo was recorded with a full band, two songs of which are on here. A couple of the journalists who heard it had this to say:

“This is melodic, and it’s poppy, and it grooves. Top-drawer songwriting.” Patrick Browne, South of the River fanzine, Marmalade magazine

“….about time we found a songwriter like this; one who doesn’t spend his whole time crying in to his beer….” Chris Bourn, The Face magazine

So there we are. Do get in contact if any of this interests you, or even to leave your opinions. Also, I'll come and play live anywhere and would be interested in playing with other people under the right circumstances, so do give me a shout.