MARTIN Staunton might well be one of Ireland’s hidden musical gems. A singer and songwriter drawing on the influence of Springsteen, Townes, Prine and Costello, 31-year-old Staunton has fronted The Lost Parade since 2006.
Sharing the spotlight with his sister Emma (backing vocals, saxophone), James Kemp (bass) and Sebastian Jezzi (drums, backing vocals), the outfit released their self-titled debut album in 2009, a record which was dedicated to Martin and Emma’s sister Carmel. Carmel was tragically killed in an accident on route to a gig in Tullamore and had been a member of their previous three-piece band.
Partly in Carmel’s memory, and buoyed by his evident talent, Staunton has persevered in bringing his music to the masses — and thank God for that. The second Lost Parade album, People Like You, was released last year and is peppered with tracks instilled with a real vim and vigour that veer from soul to rock, country and rockabilly. We spent ten minutes with Staunton…
What are you up to right now?
Drinking tea and trying on my new pair of flip-flops. They’re comfy… much better than my last pair.
Who are your heroes?
John Prine, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Lou Reed, Townes Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie… and Packie Bonner.
What’s been the best decade of your life so far and why?
Well I’m just 31. It would have to be the last 10 years. I met my wife, played some great music with lots of great people, and met people that I’ve learned a lot from.
What record sends a shiver down your spine?
Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town is definitely a spine shiverer. The whole album holds its intensity without getting boring, or getting old. Adam Raised A Cain is particularly shivering.
What is your favourite place in Ireland?
The Mcgillycuddy Reeks in Co. Kerry.
What makes you angry?
I was raised in the Catholic Church in Ireland. What makes me incredibly angry is the way they’ve shrugged off their responsibility for everything that has happened. Cardinal Brady is still the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland despite what he let happen.
There are also still Bishops in power who knew what was happening at the time and failed to do anything. This signifies how little the Church as an organisation really cares about everything that has happened under its watch. I wrote a song about it on our latest album called Helpless.
Martin Staunton names Bruce Springsteen as one of his heroesWhat book influenced you most?
Recently… David Attenborough’s autobiography, Life on Air.
What was the worst moment of your life?
The moment my sister Carmel died.
Which local star in any field should the world outside Ireland know about?
Jape, Republic of Loose, Declan O’Rourke… So many great Irish acts that never got anywhere outside Ireland unfortunately.
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
Eliminate procrastination.
Can you recommend an interesting website?
Ponomusic.com — Neil Young’s new device to bring high-quality sound to the digital music generation. I’m interested to see what’s gonna happen with it. It’s exciting, and the opinion about it in the music industry is divided. I think Pono is only gonna be a good thing and hope it does well.
What do you believe in?
Logic.
What trait do others criticise you for?
Changing my mind when discussing something. But I hate when people continue to argue a point after they realise it doesn’t hold up… Actually, I’m fine with it.
What is your favourite film and why?
Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch maybe… I love the humour and characters in his movies.
Where do you live and what are the best and worst things about that place?
Dublin. Best thing is that there’s lots of clubs to play and hear original music. Worst thing is that it can be quite limiting for bands. Even successful ones.
What do you consider the greatest work of art?
Ehm… The Matterhorn Mountain sculpted by glaciers.
What is the best lesson life has taught you?
You have to make an effort to be happy.
On what occasion is it OK to lie?
When the airport staff ask, “Did you pack that suitcase yourself?”
What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?
Every once in a while I sit down with a cuppa tea and stuff my face with profiteroles while watching some terrible film for which you can predict the storyline before the starting credits are finished, talking about how terrible it is all the way through… but continue to watch it anyway.
Who is/was the love of your life?
Michelle my belle.
People Like You is available on iTunes, Spotify and CD from www.lostparademusic.com/
