“Not to be missed!”
Press Release
’Neon Skyline’
The Art Crimes Band
SUGO Music
Single Release Date: Friday August 26, 2022
Video Release Date: Wednesday September 21, 2022
“I need to feel something tonight, like love” sings The Art Crimes Band lead singer Grace McMahon over sultry saxophone. With their eclectic line up the Cork band are uniquely suited to take inspiration from classic 80’s themes and return with another soulful release ahead of a busy touring season. New single ‘Neon Skyline’ is out August 26, 2022.
Inspired by the novel “Bright Lights, Big City” by American author Jay McInerney, ‘Neon Skyline’ was conceived by guitarist Stephen Kirby while on a night time drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. As the lights of Las Vegas loomed over the horizon from the highway Stephen began to think of a driving drum beat and a guitar riff. This would become the genesis of ‘Neon Skyline’. Ten years later the track would be completed with the rest of the band with lyrics based upon Jay McInerney’s novel; a tale about a character's time spent caught up in, and notably escaping from, the mid-1980s New York City fast lane.
Staying true to the 80’s theme of the song, the track's sound and production is akin to 80’s Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The HeartBreakers, John Mayer and Bon Iver. ‘Neon Skyline’ was recorded and produced by The Art Crimes Band at their FlashPoint Creative Studios in Cork City Ireland and mastered by engineer Andy Walter (David Bowie, Rush, Simple Minds) at Abbey Road Studios, London.
The Art Crimes Band’s first album Radio on the SUGO Music record label in 2015 reflected a group still searching for their groove. Following on from last year’s ‘In The Dark Of The evening’ and with a fresh studio album in the works they have solidified a firm foundation in the R&B/Soul sound under which they are right at home. Band members include Gary Baus (Alto Saxophone), Stephen Kirby (Guitars), Niall Dennehy (Drums & Percussion), Grace McMahon (Vocals), Tim O'Leary (Bass) and introducing new member Katie O’Donnell (Piano & Keyboards).
‘Neon Skyline’ is out worldwide on the SUGO Music Record label August 26, 2022
“Effortlessly slick sound” - Hot Press Magazine
“One of Cork’s most interesting bands” — The Cork Independent
“Quality musical breaks that fill you with contagious energy” - Iggy Magazine, Paris
“Together, they merge the best elements of different funky genres, for a sound that draws you close and does not let go” - The Otherside Reviews
History
Founded in 2011 and hailing from Cork City, Ireland and USA, The Art Crimes Band signed to the Californian based SUGO Music record label in 2014 and launched their debut album of original material entitled ‘Radio’ at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in 2015. 2021 arrived with new beginnings and the band released the soulful single ‘In The Dark Of The Evening’ (Jan 2021) to much fanfare and critical acclaim. While still busy in the studio that year also saw the group collaborate with Colm Hayes on his debut single Mosaic (April 2021) featuring Grace McMahon on vocals. That summer saw them make a welcome return to the stage at Soul In The City Festival plus multiple shows at The Guinness Jazz Festival that autumn. To wrap up the year The Art Crimes Band also gave a lending hand in studio to their very own Stephen Kirby on his debut single 'Funeral March' (Nov 2021).
The Art Crimes Band opened 2022 with the sultry, funk and soul infused single ‘Guy Like You’, followed by a 90s synth-laden throwback remix by Producer Blakkheart. The group officially participated in UNESCO International Jazz Day on April 30th 2022 with an intimate live stream featuring vocals and piano of their 2015 Jazz ballad 'If Only'. The performance was released soon after as a single.
Summer 2022 wraps up featuring their latest studio release on August 26th with 'Neon Skyline'. Drawing from 80's Tom Petty and Springsteen, mixed with John Mayer and Bon Iver, and described by Hot Press Magazine as “stunning”. Neon Skyline was inspired by the novel “Bright Lights, Big City” by American author Jay McInerney and was conceived by guitarist Stephen Kirby while on a night time drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The song is a tale about a character's time spent caught up in, and notably escaping from, the mid-1980s New York City fast lane.
The band will spend the final months of 2022 back in the recording studio continuing work on their upcoming album slated for release summer 2023.
Attracted to many styles and influences it's not unusual for the group to pay tribute on stage to and draw from the well waters of such luminaries as Sting, Erykah Badu, Hall & Oates, Eric Clapton, Etta James, David Bowie, Rev. Al Green, Nikka Costa, Gregory Porter, The Roots & John Legend, while staying true to their band credo; "leave your ego, play the music, love the people”.
THE ART CRIMES BAND are
Gary Baus (USA) / Alto Saxophone
Stephen Kirby (IRL) / Guitars
Niall Dennehy (IRL) / Drums & Percussion
Grace McMahon (IRL) / Vocals
Tim O'Leary (IRL) / Bass
Katie O’Donnell (IRL) / Piano & Keyboards
“An incredibly versatile band who are as equally at home playing jazz, funk and pop styles. Veterans of Cork’s annual jazz festival will surely recognize these guys from their many appearances and their busy gigging schedule makes them a must see”
Neon Skyline
Released August 26th 2022
ISRC US3L62207303
Cover Photography by The Piccinng Studios
Cover Design by Niall Dennehy
Fidbak
Google Drive
WAV + Cover + Press Photo [Google Drive]
Streaming Links
BANDCAMP / SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE MUSIC / AMAZON / TIDAL / DEEZER / QOBUZ
Watch
PRESS PHOTOS
The Art Crimes Band photographed by Hilda McMahon
Grace McMahon. Photo by Niall Dennehy
Katie O’Donnell. Photo by Niall Dennehy
Gary Baus. Photo by Niall Dennehy
The Art Crimes Band photographed by Hilda McMahon
The Art Crimes Band photographed by OC Photography
Niall Dennehy. Photo by Flashpoint Studios
Stephen Kirby
Tim O’Leary. Photo by Niall Dennehy