A decade on from Domino Records, an evolved Eugene McGuinness is back with his new album Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe, recorded in the heart of the city with old friends at Liverpool’s Docklands Speed Shop.
Ahead of McGuinness’ album launch at Rough Trade Liverpool presented by Mellowtone, this Saturday 21 March, we had the chance to speak to Eugene about his career so far and what’s on the horizon for this chapter…
Please can you tell us about your journey in music – where you started in music and who were your early influences?
I grew up in East London, in an Irish family… my dad is an artist and my brother and I were obsessed with drawing and painting initially… then I got a guitar one Christmas and that was that. All types of music had an massive impact on me, from the dance and hip hop that my friends were into, to the Beatles, Randy Newman and the Kinks that I’d listen to in the car with my parents.
It’s been 10 years since the end of your deal with Domino and now you’re back with exciting new music. How has it been coming back after those years? What’s changed in your approach to music and songwriting?
Everything has changed and nothing has… the older I get, the more aware I am of where I’ve been and what got me there. I’m only interested in what’s new to me now, I’m curious about what little path I can carve out for myself. I want to make new discoveries and new mistakes, which are in themselves portals of discovery. I’m also more patient and more busy this time round… people rely on me, and I on them and it’s all just an honour really.
Can you tell us about the upcoming album? What is it generally about and how does it differ from your previous work? Do you perhaps have a favourite track?
This record is about the fragility of a moment, you know – all we ever have is now, that sort of thing… appreciating and trying to bottle the magic of a beautiful morning or a stormy evening. It looks back and forward simultaneously, probably due to becoming a father and just the age I’m currently at, I’m happy being the outsider now, I wasn’t before. People leave you alone when you’re an outsider, something I now welcome rather than resent.
How has Liverpool shaped who you are as an artist / your music?
Growing up in East London.. due to my Irishness, I was never a cor blimey geeza apples and pears cockney and later, although Liverpool lovingly adopted me, I was never a scouser. Everywhere I’ve gone it’s been this way, but in Liverpool the sense of humour, the music obviously and the general politics of everyone was just what I was about. I love London in many ways, but in Liverpool the zero tolerance for bullshit is everything. It’s a spiritual place and it instilled something in me that I take everywhere I go, you either get it or you don’t. It comes from within.
What have you been listening to at the moment? Any particular artists or albums that you’re enjoying?
I’ve been listening to my brother Dominic McGuinness… he has this hilarious new song called ‘Wake up Saeed’, which is about his driving instructor falling asleep on him, that’s on bandcamp. I’m listening to the new Bill Callahan album, that’s sounding good and the first two albums by The Meters.
Can you give us a highlight moment or past performance that you’ve enjoyed the most?
I did some good shows in London just before Covid struck.. I was the best I’d ever been and then I vanished for 6 years… oh well I’m back now!
We’re really looking forward to your upcoming show at Rough Trade Liverpool, especially with it being the album launch. Can you tell us what audiences can expect?
It’s the most expansive live set up I’ve been part of – the band are sounding fantastic, it’s widescreen, it’s intimate, it’s gentle, it’s violent… it’s a multicoloured screwball scramble and it’s a measured, cooly composed recital. As ever, I am choosing to embrace contradictions. It’ll be magic.
Eugene McGuinness
Saturday 21 March
Rough Trade Liverpool
Tickets
