SOMEBODY’S Child otherwise known as Cian Godfrey, launched with a slew of great indie-pop singles in 2018-2019, and released his 20-Something EP during the 2020 lockdown that included hit singles ‘Hold Me Like You Wanna’ (1.5 million streams) and ‘We Could Start a War’ (4 milionl streams), which gained BBC Radio 1, Radio X, RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM and Today FM attention.
Somebody’s Child released his debut self-titled album on February 3 via Frenchkiss Records the New York based record label is home to such rock luminaries as Passion Pit and The Hold Steady.
The album has its roots in Godfrey’s formative years growing up in Dublin and the experiences that went with it. It was recorded at East London’s Hackney Road Studios with the producer Mikko Gordon (The Smile, Gaz Coombes, Thom Yorke)
Limerick Post had a chat with Cian Godfrey in the run up to his show in Dolans on February 28.
One of Cian’s standout songs the anthemic ‘We Could Start A War’ is now up to four million listens online
Godfrey says, “We just put it out as a single for fifty quid and it has just become synonymous with us and done us a big service.
“You need a song like that to get you through the tough times of Covid and it has put us on the map I guess.
“It’s been a big big win for us and that’s why it’s going to be on the record now as well.”
“The original version was a demo I wrote in 20 minutes or so and Shea produced in our little makeshift studio in Dublin.
“This is now the real version, I guess. The timing is also serendipitous because the video is about where it was written, and the juxtaposition between beauty in tradition, and the ugly face of gentrification – of which both are in abundance. Now I’ve moved to London, partly because of the result of this – not being able to afford life in my hometown.”
The song deals with the frustrations of the young generation trying to cope with Ireland’s housing crises and cost of living crises. Problems that are as prevalent in Limerick as well as Cian’s native city Dublin.
“I’ve actually heard about how bad it is (in Limerick), giving preferences to foreign students because it’s harder for them to find places but then you have the people from the middle of Ireland who have to travel up to three hours to college in Limerick and stay in hotels for the year and it’s just mad, like it’s crazy.”
“I moved to London in October, at the time there were 800 rentals on Daft.ie in the country and now there’s something like 2 or 300 in the whole of Ireland, which is just mental.”
Somebody’s Child is on tour in the UK and Ireland with most of the UK dates now sold out and the artist has been signed by Frenchkiss Records for this upcoming debut album.
The record label has the likes of Passion Pit and The Hold Steady on their roster who have released some of the most engaging indie rock in the 2000s.
“Our manager put in a big shift to find a deal out there. We were just wondering how we were going to come up with the money to release the songs in the right way. We got very lucky that Frenchkiss took a punt on us. We had a chat with other people but they were the right fit.
“They are very happy to let us come up with the plans and to suggest ideas. It’s quite a nice working relationship in that sense.”
Syd Butler, Founder and President of Frenchkiss Records says of the signing, “Frenchkiss is thrilled to be able to work with Somebody’s Child. I love their ability to layer both mature songwriting with vulnerability. This kind of authenticity is something that I find is lacking in much of today’s music.
“Somebody’s Child provides this exact element that is still needed, both in recording and playing live. They are nothing short of amazing.”
For the latest single, ‘I Need Ya’ Somebody’s Child have made a video using cars drifting on a race track. Was the video a fun experience?
“It was fun for the first few takes and then takes three, four and five were a little bit iffy, you know. laughs.
“I was just trying to look at the camera for the whole time but yeah, it was a really interesting day.
“I got to learn about this massive subculture in Ireland that is a little bit under the radar. There’s a tight knit community active in it and it’s a lot of fun really.”
“‘I Need Ya’ was one of the first songs that defined the sound and pace of the album.
“We’ve been playing it live for a while now and have been dying to get it out. Some of this album can be boiled down back to my chronic fear of growing older. To me this track in particular is a gentle reminder to stay young for as long as you can.”
Cian Godfrey (aka Somebody’s Child) and his five piece band will play Dolans on Saturday February 25.
