The Early Learnings Centre

One name getting a lot of mention in recent blogs is that of young Eugene McGuinness. After hearing many good things, I decided it was high time I investigated for myself. I was not disappointed. Although some have grouped the 21 year old singer song-writer with the likes of Jamie T and Jack Penate, I would like to think he is rather, well, better than them. For a start, although born in London, McGuinness was raised in Ireland. So thankfully he doesn't have that terrible 'fake' Cockney thing going on that so irritates poor Stu's ears. And mine. In Bird on a Wire there are hints of Turin Brakes' Gale Paridjanian, Frank Turner (if someone stood on his foot), or even Mr Modest Mouse himself, Isaac Brock. The chorus of A Child Lost in Tesco (we've all been there mate, in my case it was British Home Stores in Bournemouth and I'm sure that, 22 years on, my mother has still not forgiven me) sounds almost Adam & The Ants-esque. And in case you were wondering, yes I do consider that a good thing.

Eugene is playing at this rather lovely looking Drowned In Sound bash. The mini album The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness is released in a fortnight (6th August) and you can order the single Monsters Under The Bed here.

Tracklisting:

High Score

Monsters Under The Bed

Vampire Casino

Bold Street

A Child Lost In Tesco ::mp3::

Vela

Madeleine

A Girl Whom My Eyes Shine For But My Shoes Run From

As a little extra incentive here's another MP3:

Bird On A Wire ::mp3::

And also the excellent Jamie and the Magic Torche style video to Monsters Under The Bed: