Clare singer-songwriter, David Hope kicks 2022 off with the second single ‘Moon and back’ which is taken from his forthcoming fifth studio album ‘...and the Sea’. Having previously worked with Irish folk legends, Terry Woods and Declan Sinnott, Hope has collaborated yet again with legendary producer and drummer, Christian Best, on his new album.
A deeply personal ode to saying goodbye, to parting words and loss, ‘Moon and Back’ is a beautifully sad song depicting something we all must do in our lives:
“Goodbye, such a sweet and simple word, yet a dagger to the heart, tears your world apart.”
The song, as with the album overall, represents Hope’s most deeply personal and engaging body of work to date. Built on a core mix of very deep and well crafted lyrics, combined with a great ‘live in the studio’ style of recording; this song will draw the listener into the world David has created.
The song and album was recorded in Monique Studios, Midleton, County Cork and was produced by Christian
Best, who also joins on drums. Hope is accompanied on the track by Steffi Hess on double bass, Darragh Keary on piano and Kealan Kenny on electric guitar.
The first release from Hope in almost four years marks an evolution of his sound, of which signs were present on his last album, ‘Tough Love’ (2017). With the benefit of having time to flourish, both musically and lyrically, this collection of songs is Hope’s most accomplished work to date.
Hope has gigged and toured extensively in both his native Ireland and mainland Europe, averaging in excess of 200 shows per year. During this time, Hope has built a reputation as one of the very best live performers on the touring circuit today.
‘Tough Love’ (2017) built on the success of ‘Scarecrow’ (2013) which garnered extensive radio play and successive tours both in Europe and Hope's native Ireland. The first single from ‘Tough Love’, 'Christmas Day', was chosen as the RTE Radio 1 song selected for the European Broadcasting Union Christmas Music Project and featured on a playlist across all member states.
"..The Irishman from rural County Clare is easily right up there with his contemporaries and compatriots such as Mick Flannery and Declan O'Rourke..."
- Folker Magazin (DE)
'The songs of the Irish Bard, mixed with piano, electric guitar and backing harmonies, connect the exuberance of Bob Seger and Frankie Miller with the folk profundity of Ralph McTell.'
-Rolling Stone (DE)
“….With a rough-hewn voice somewhere between that of Tom Waits and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy (with a touch of Springsteen), Hope combines elements of folk, country, blues and soul on his second album…his songs are strong and have alived-in, authentic, almost sepia-toned feel…are on a par with anything out of the American heartland.”
- Hotpress (IRL)
“….the potent mixture of gritty, hard-edged folk-tinged pop and heartfelt acoustic balladry is a tribute to Hope’s versatile song-crafting skills … a finely-wrought set of songs. If you thought you’d had your fill of fiery, emotional troubadours, then think again very hard. This guy’s very definitely here to stay.”
- Whisperin' and Hollerin' (U.K.)
"..'Scarecrow' is a pretty faultless album of great tunes..."
- 2 U I Bestow (IRL)
ADT (Alan Daniel Tobin) is a member of Irish band LOWmountain and honorary member of the legendary Interference. His debut solo album - Volume I - was recorded remotely in his cabin in the garden, and produced by multi-instrumentalist, Justin Grounds and recorded his parts in a little room overlooking the beautiful town of Clonakilty, West Cork. Both Alan and Justin are working together on the second album, and aiming to have it released by the end of the year.
ADT flexes between the sadness and delight of every day life. He paints the darkness with atmospheric soundscapes and simple words. Hugely influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the West Cork landscape and his family, he has a minor obsession with lighthouses.
Ace. Feels like the product of a jam between John Grant, Portishead & Thom Yorke if they camped in Wicklow for a weekend!
Luke Moore - Artistic Director // Operation Lightfoot (UK)
Earthy, beguiling...
Tony Clayton-Lea - award-winning freelance journalist Pop culture critic/editor
Hugely atmospheric debut solo single shows ADT as an artist capable of writing and performing deeply evocative pieces with strong lyrical foundation.
musicfromtheheart.eu (CZ)
Just beautiful. Really gorgeous. God it’s as lovely as anything I’ve heard in the last few years. Your voice has developed in all sorts of great ways.
Pat Collins – Harvest Films
Wonderful…
Philip King – South Wind Blows – Other Voices
