Donegal alt-folk artist Declan McClafferty, better known as Ramper, has released his new song, If You Want A Good Dream, and plays Ireland Music Week on 3 October at the Workman's Cellar. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Declan previously played in the award-winning Donegal band In Their Thousands and If You Want A Good Dream follows his previous releases Pale as the Moon, Kept a Curl, and Promised.
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Speaking about the track, he says, "The song is about reflecting on hard work or a tough stretch of life and sinking into the temporary pleasure that you've gotten through it, maybe even done a good job.
"The kind of accomplishment that society almost doesn’t recognise anymore. The sort of remedy that comes from getting lost in some task like chopping wood, escaping the world of flashing screens.
"It leans into being more analog but not a purist - accepting the modernity of technology and cultural change with the same respect that you put on tradition and taking the best bits from both sides. A hunt for beauty and balance."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Donegal-based musician. Dad. Gaeilge. Outdoors things. Fixing stuff that I know nothing about. Over-sharer.
How would you describe your music?
On this upcoming record, the lyrics are considered, leaning into the past and childhood nostalgia, while the music is more current and I think It's getting bolder. Felt like the record I could make at the time and I try to just lean into that - even though it's completely terrifying!
Who are your musical inspirations?
Rory Gallagher was the first obsession when I was getting into guitar - ruined my Junior Cert! I went down the Bob Dylan rabbit hole, chasing lyrics - ruined my Leaving Cert. Took a while but I got through that and I started to sink into things like Kate Bush who had amazing Lyrics AND sounds and I felt like I could see a bigger picture. Now it's artists who make music for the right reasons: Adrienne Lenker, Róisín Murphy, Wilco, Julie Byrne for example! Multitudes by Feist is my most listened to record recently for sure!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The reformed Thin Lizzy in the Academy in Dublin! Scott Gorham ditched the Les Paul for a Strat - I'm still not over it actually.
What was the first record you ever bought?
No Doubt - Don't Speak on cassette in Woolworths in Strabane!
What’s your favourite song right now?
Coyote by Joni Mitchell. John Creedon played it the other night and I hadn't heard it for too long!
Favourite lyric of all time?
"There's a hole in Daddy's arm, where all the money goes" - John Prine. "Madonna whore complex, is it a thing?" from Niamh Regan is also a bit unreal! Simple lines that could mean lots of things get me too. The Tame Impala track Eventually just repeats that one word as a chorus and in the context is so simple but expansive! Perfect!!
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Lover, You Should've Come Over by Jeff Buckley. I know it's mighty melancholic but the chords...
Where can people find your music/more information?
@rampersongs on Instagram is where I usually hang out on the internet.
Alan Corr
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