The Best of The Early Days with The Coronas
Irish band The Coronas have a new album coming out ‘The Best Of The Early Days’, a collection of the band’s favourite tacks from their first three albums and a special song titled ‘One Last Time’ which has never before been released. Australian fans will get the chance to see The Coronas showcase the album live when they begin their national tour here next month. We got the opportunity to ask lead singer Danny O’Reily about the ‘One Last Time’, the new album and what fans can look forward to experiencing at The Coronas live shows.
You have just released your new song ‘One Last Time’ which is a track you recorded back in 2009 and features on your new album ‘The Best Of The Early Years’. Where did the idea come from to dig into the archives?
Initially, the idea for doing the best of the early years came out of a conversation about our first 3 albums not being on vinyl. Then when we thought about it, it seemed like a better idea to pick our favourite songs from the first 3 albums together. The albums were before we signed to Island Records and moved to London, which really was a turning point for us, so we always considered the 3 albums as part of a chapter. We were looking for old photos to go with the album sleeve and Knoxy, our bass player found One Last Time, a song we had all forgotten about. We really loved the song at the time but the album Tony Was an ExCon already had an acoustic moment in another song (called Warm) so that’s the reason it disappeared
Tell us about ‘One Last Time’, What inspired the writing of the song originally and what does the song mean to you?
It’s hard to even remember what I was going through back then. It’s definitely about that moment after a break-up when you meet with your ex and there’s all these emotions and feelings still there. The string section was arranged beautifully by James Hallawell. I remember singing the idea for the part I had in my mind to him over the phone. I think I was listening to a lot of Damien Rice at the time!
“We feel very lucky to be still making music and touring all these years later”
Did the song take on any changes during the re-discovery and release process or is the final 2023 product the original version from 2009?
No, we decided to keep it as bare and as raw as it was back then. Because the album was a collection from that era, we wanted to be true to that and not change it too much. My voice sounds so different, like a different person. It’s interesting to think of how naive we were back then. We feel very lucky to be still making music and touring all these years later
What was the reason for waiting over a decade to release ‘One Last Time’?
Again it just coincided with the release of The Best of The Early Days. It would have never seen the light of day if we hadn’t decided to release the album.
“we have a brand new album written and we go into studio in January to record it”
What else can fans look forward to hearing from the rest of the ‘The Best Of The Early Years’ album?
Nothing that isn’t out already, haha! But the physical copy has some great artwork and a track-by-track diary from the band. This album is definitely more of a collectors item for Coronas fans but fear not, we have a brand new album written and we go into studio in January to record it.
The Coronas are about to head downunder for a national tour. What can ticket holders anticipate from your live show? Will you be playing a collection of new and old tracks?
Yes, it will definitely be a mixture of everything, old and new. We always try our best to put on a high-energy, sing-along show and our last Australia tour was incredible so I have no doubt these shows will be too
“our last Australia tour was incredible so I have no doubt these shows will be too”
Is there one song that is particularly special for you to play live and that you always include in your live shows and if so, why?
There’s a song called Heroes Or Ghosts, which is from our very first album, that has been in almost every set we’ve ever played. It’s a special song for a lot of people from Ireland. It really established us here initially and thankfully it hasn’t aged too badly. It’s a great sing-along moment
The band has opened for ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen and played for the current US President, so what’s been the highlight of your career so far both personally and professionally?
Personally, there isn’t just one highlight that sticks out. The fact that we’re lucky enough to continue to do this, to do it on our own terms creatively, to be able to tour and enjoy touring, together, and to still enjoy each other’s company while doing all that, is my favourite thing about what I do. The longer we get to call this our job, the more proud I am of it.
Professionally, starting our own label and releasing our music was a huge highlight. Our most recent album Time Stopped, went to number 1 in the charts in Ireland, making us the first independent act ever to have 3 consecutive number 1 albums. I’m proud of that, hopefully, our label might continue even after the band is gone!
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout-out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Jim, our manager. He has been with us since the very start, does all the hard work and gets none of the credit.
He also manages the label and has to put up with my diva ways!
What's next for The Coronas? What can we look forward to with 2024 rapidly approaching?
Recording a brand new album in London in January, we can’t wait! We’re so excited about the songs. Hopefully, it will be out by September. We also have a North American tour in March, which should be a lot of fun. And lots of festivals to look forward to in the summer
Thanks guys!
THE CORONAS – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
FRI 10 NOV | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
Tickets available from moshtix.com.au
SAT 11 NOV | THE ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY
Tickets available from ticketek.com.au
FRI 17 NOV | BADLANDS, PERTH
Tickets available from oztix.com.au
SAT 18 NOV | NORTHCOTE THEATRE, MELBOURNE
Tickets available from moshtix.com.au
Interview by Michelle Symes
October 2023