JAMES IRWIN – “FIRST OF MAY”
A Spill Exclusive Music Premiere
James Irwin’s 3rd album, Shabbytown is a record about a particular Montreal. A place that’s gone, an era that’s over.
Like all 3 James Irwin albums, Shabbytown was recorded at The Pines (David Bryant of Godspeed’s studio) in Griffintown, the old Irish neighbourhood by the Lachine Canal now transforming into something else…glass to the sky.
Unlike Irwin’s 2nd album, Unreal, which took hundreds of hours of lone overdubbing and rearranging, Shabbytown was tracked live off the floor over four days in Spring 2015. The band was ¾ of The Luyas – Pietro Amato, Stefan Schneider, Michael Feurstack—along with Pat ‘Bass’ Latreille. Patrick Gregoire (Pat Jordache) engineered and mixed. Maya Kuroki, Maica Armata (Caro Diaro), and Lisa Conway (L Con, Del Bel) added guest vocals. Adam Kinner added sax.
Artist Quote
First of May is Shabbytown’s heart. No day is more Montreal. Lay your young body in the sun. Pure relief and joy. Magnolias in bloom. Spring is the farthest from politics. Spring is politics! May Day. Must join struggle, be inspired by the struggle. Ain’t it wrong what’s going on here? Someone stand in the canoe. Always the tension–my own little dream and the collective dream.
I lay my hands down at your feet. These are lyrics! Listen to the song.
James Irwin
Shabbytown
(Sainte Cécile)
Release Date: May 12, 2017
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