Eugene McGuiness

AFTER seducing the audience at Liverpool’s Barfly with his unique brand of neo-folk, local hero Eugene McGuiness caught up with Clash backstage and, elated to be back in his spiritual home, told of his delight with his newly finished debut album.

When asked about the new record the singer’s eyes peered up from beneath his fringe and flickered animatedly as he explained how well the recording sessions, which took place in London’s west end, had gone: “the recording has gone really well. The songs were written in both Liverpool and London and I’m really proud of the album”.

I miss it loads, I love Liverpool so much

Part of the Liverpool musical renaissance of 2007 before his departure to London, Clash asks whether he misses the solidarity and the buzz of the local scene he shared with The Wombats and The Prelude amongst others.”Yeah I miss it loads, I love Liverpool so much, it’s wicked to be back here tonight, all my friends are here and I miss everything being so accessible, I try and get up as often as I can.”

However the amiable vibe of the interview was briefly soured when the issue of the new album’s influences came up. Eugene, guarded but still utterly charming, made it clear that the majority of his influences came from within: “There are no main influences really. I’m pretty fidgety and unpredictable with my listening habits, I’ll listen obsessively to one record until it’s completely exhausted then I’ll discard it for a while and move onto something new.”

This fierce originality is stamped all over mini-album The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness, released on Domino earlier last summer. Although there are clearly shades of Dylan, Donovan and contemporary influences like Kings Of Convenience in his lyrical and musical style, it would be lazy, and ultimately fruitless, to attempt to pigeon hole McGuiness as a revivalist.

With a lyrical eye that is drawn more to the autumnal ethos of wistfulness and reflection, we have, this writer suspects, found a truly great storyteller in McGuiness who, with his unique brand of protest songs and third person narratives rooted in everyday experience, could become a chronicler of a generation. Watching him on stage tonight, voice melancholy yet grand at the same time, there is a feeling that you’re witnessing something special, a movement in infancy with real populist appeal. And with the defiant confidence of tonight’s performance, fans are left aching to see where he will go next.

...more of natural progression and a reflection of where I am at the moment

Speaking about the direction of the new album, Eugene emphasised that there would be change from Early Learnings but fans panicking at the thought of drum machines and synthesisers needn’t press the panic button yet. “There will be a change in the sound of the new songs but it won’t be a drastic departure, more of natural progression and a reflection of where I am at the moment.”

With festival slots lined up at Green Man, Latitude and Glastonbury, critical acclaim and a recent return to London, where he is now could see him on the receiving end of mainstream success. Tagged a singer-songwriter, Eugene’s sound is miles above the vapid, MOR rock of James Blunt et al. Lets hope that he can rise above the poisoned chalice of chart singer songwriter and retain the sharp observations and lush arrangement’s of his work thus far.