“Making this album has been a real voyage. Releasing it is the fun part”, says Limerick musician, producer, actor, subculture protagonist, poet, and rocker Mark O’Connor. He is set to release his third studio album this weekend at three events happening over the Riverfest Weekend.
Released on Mockery Records the new album, ‘Espero’ was recorded in Co. Kerry and Vermont USA with some notable contributions from, among others, The Rubberbandits and none other than Dinosaur Jr axeman J Mascis who plays a blistering guitar solo on album closer ‘Roll back the years’.
Limerick Post: How did the J Mascis contribution to the record come about?
Mark O’Connor: “My engineer friend in Vermont, Pete Weiss knew J’s engineer Justin Pizzoferrato. They discussed the idea of J playing on my record. I can’t put into words how much it means to me. He’s like my Rory G or Jimi. It’s like someone up there is looking out for me. When it actually happened, I nearly burst into tears when I heard/saw him play those first few notes in front of me. I’ve since read J believes in the ‘in giving we receive’ thing. The song is a tribute to me and my gal. I wanted to get somebody cool to play at our funeral, so I got J Mascis. It’s a joyful ending to the album. J is the coolest and greatest.”
LP: ‘Espero’ is a Spanish word meaning, ‘I wait’ or ‘I hope’, you have described this release as a break-up album. Has there been a healing process in making the album?
MO’C: “Break up albums serve a purpose. They understand the listener when the listener needs it. They are there for you. I didn’t understand break up albums until I went through it. Mine were ‘Sea Change’ by Beck and ‘Beautiful World’ by Take That. Making it helped heal somewhat. The sudden change was the only show in town for a long time. ‘Espero’ was recorded 2 weeks after and 1 year after the break up. It has both the raw and the ‘time is a healer’ stuff on it.”
O’Connor has worked with video artists in Limerick and beyond to produce visual interpretations of the music on ‘Espero’. ‘Kate Bush Hunting’ featuring “dancing hip hop kids and style girls” will be the first single. These will be released on his youtube page after the record is released. www.youtube.com/user/MarkLimrock.
Mark O’Connor and band, Dave Carroll(ex-Drumming Room) on drums, Bass – Barry Brien (ex-22) on bass and Benny Armstrong (ex-22) on “extra stuff and vocals” will launch ‘Espero’ in Dolan’s on Sunday May 1. Mark also appears as part of the ‘Limerick Live 2011’ outdoor event in Arthurs Quay Park on Saturday April 30 and at Raggle Taggle Studio later that night on the corner of Henry St. & Roches St for the C:Inside event. Martin Keary, Three Hour Ceasefire and Chicago comedian Steiner guest at the launch night.
