THE Limerick band, Senakah will release its second album ‘Human Relations’ within a few weeks and the title track and accompanying video has already received a very positive reaction. The video, which features scenes filmed in the Limerick Post offices on Henry Street received close to 10,000 hits on YouTube in its first week. Produced by Noel Hogan of the Cranberries, the video is a comic take on modern day relationships as the protagonist spends all day social networking on his phone admiring photos of ‘The Devil’, resulting in him losing his job, and, ultimately, his mind.
Vocalist Rob Hope, bass player Yvonne Conaty and Drummer Daragh O’Loughlin formed the band, then known as Seneca, in 2005 and were later joined by guitarist Brendan O’Gorman.
Their first gig as a four piece was at a local Battle of the Bands competition, which they won, and after a couple of years writing and performing their original songs, they released their first album ‘Sweeter Than Bourbon’ in 2008.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, guitar player Brendan O’Gorman said the first album was very successful without the band having been signed to a record label.
“We conducted an extensive tour of Ireland, the US and Scandinavia and got some great feedback, including playing a festival in Colarado”.
Speaking about the band’s style, Brendan said they have been compared to several bands but are made up of a mix of sounds.
“Limerick has proved to be a good breeding ground for live music.
“We’re a mix of Indie Rock and Alternative Rock – the result of the four of us coming together and no particular style”.
The band returned to Ireland to complete their second album and met Noel Hogan through a mutual friend. He offered to produce the new album, to the elation of the band, and it was recorded over 27 days.
“Our sound has improved since the last album as have our song-writing skills and we’ve worked a lot more collaboratively to put the 13 tracks together” says Brendan.
Very favourably impressed with the band is the well known actor and comedian, Ben Morrison who offered to write the script and star in the band’s first video for ‘Human Relations.
Ben is a lead on the MTV hit show Punk’d, among many other American television appearances.
“We sent Ben a few songs and he chose ‘Human Relations’ and wrote the script about a guy who is constantly on the phone and social networking, based on his interpretation of the lyrics.
“It’s wacky and funny, with a lot happening.
“All of the band have cameos in it; I’m the guy who has his phone robbed on the Dock Road,” says Brendan.
The role of ‘The Devil’ is played by Caroline Casey, former Miss Limerick Post and the Miss Ireland runner up.
The video was recorded over three days at the Limerick Post offices and various other city locations and has already proved a huge hit with audiences, despite the single having yet to be officially released.
The album ‘Human Relations’ will be released at Dolan’s Warehouse on Friday February 17 and will be available on iTunes from that date.
Check out the video below
Band members Daragh O’Loughlin, Brendan O’Gorman, Rob Hope and Yvonne Conaty.
Top – Ben Morrison pictured in a scene from the video shot in the Limerick Post office.
