"the matinée idles" (aka kevin barry), is from Dublin,Ireland, currently living in London,England. His debut album was the critically acclaimed "Looking for Murphy." The name "the matinée idles" came from his love of film & the sound you get is described as "lyrically dark, atmospheric & cinematic"
In 2014 "a festival of colours" his long awaited second album, was released on his own record lab
el "4 cats the bird & the baby." Kevin writes, engineers & produces his own work & also plays all the instruments. He has featured on BBC Radio 6 & Tom Robinson's show Fresh on the Net. Following the release Kevin signed a 3 year licensing deal for 5 of his songs to a publishing companies in the USA, Canada & Ireland. They have placed songs in numerous Hollywood block buster films; their placements include music in Academy Award-winning films such as “Brokeback Mountain”, “The Blind Side” and “A Beautiful Mind”; Emmy-winning shows such as “Six Feet Under”, “Breaking Bad”, “Damages”, and “House”
Press for album "a festival of colours"
"..a record that must go down as one of the most different and artistic efforts to come out of Ireland in a long, long time..."
- GoldenPlec.com
".. this is a great album and it will probably feature on a number of "Best of 2014" lists.."
- U&I Music Magazine
(unsignedandindependent.com)
"A deeply atmospheric record, A Festival of Colours bustles with musicality and glistening soundscapes. Tinged with post-rock and indie motifs the album is a serene, yet powerful journey into Kevin Barry’s music."
- The Last Mixtape (thelastmixedtape.com)
This latest number from “the matinee idles” upcoming album “a festival of colours” (due out in 2014) and on the back of this single and 2010’s ‘Everything’ it promises to be an eclectic affair. So far, so low key but from about the one minute mark the unnerving drums and guitar suddenly build in volume and intensity, they rise to a real crescendo of menace before suddenly shuddering to an abrupt halt. At a little over three minutes the single doesn’t outstay its welcome. It comes off a little Zooropa meets Kid A era Radiohead down a dark alley, which isn’t a bad thing if you can imagine such a sonic marriage. This latest release from the Idles shows enough promise to mark Barry’s band as one to watch out for in 2014”
By Niall Healy MRU
One great song is Everything, this band are sure to make it big, after hearing this musical snippet. It’s worth checking out, and pay attention to the imagery- it’s quite interesting
By Music blogger Davidokeffe.com
“The song "Everything" is used in a very deep and passionate way, it almost is at one with every note and chord progression, I like dynamics in the song as they really lift the melody, it’s like a breath of fresh musical air to the ears…”
By Trevor Halpin Music review unsigned
In 2010 Kevin released a song called "everything" along with a video from his upcoming album "a festival of colours", the video was filmed in the popular pub "The Stags Head" in Dublin & it went on to be nominated for an IMTV award. This song was also signed to a New York publisher. see it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y10WP-3k-po
Press for album "Looking for Murphy":
“Kevin Barry's voice, bruised, battered but utterly brilliant…… each listen to the record reaps new rewards…”
By Hot Press Ireland
“Kevin plays and experiments with sounds and instruments in his songs to provide the listener with a unique but compelling musical experience…..this an album of the highest quality forged in the fire found only in the belly of someone who really believes in what they do. Buy it”
By Music Review Unsigned UK
“Songwriter whose powerful voice and thoughtful lyrics have finally begun to attract the kind of acclaim he deserves…."
