THE BEAST

Irish pop rock band The Coronas and English singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin release the official video for their duet ‘Lost in The Thick of It’ on Friday May 22nd 2020.  Filmed by Gabrielle and The Coronas front man Danny O’Reilly in isolation in Brighton and Dingle, Co, Kerry, animated by award winning animator Daniela Sherer in Tel Aviv and directed by Bjorn Franklin & Johnny Marchetta in London & Manchester, the video is a striking example of creativity in lockdown.

“We knew there would be plenty of isolation videos coming out in the current climate and we really wanted something that might stand out from the rest. Something simple, quirky and interesting that suited the song” explains Danny. “I think Bjorn, Johnny and Daniela really succeeded in getting us there. I filmed my bit in isolation in Dingle Co. Kerry while Gab filmed her part in isolation in Brighton. We’re so happy with how it turned out”

“We actually pitched a video for the guys which had been signed off, pre-production had started but then lockdown hit. At that point we had to dramatically change our approach and find a way of featuring Danny and Gabrielle in the safest way possible. This came in the form of us directing them on how to film their individual parts from homes with the help of housemates.  We wanted to tie in song’s sentiment, which had themes of isolation and leaving something behind while needing time to figure things out. Animation was something that sparked ideas for us, we felt it gave us freedom to keep the filming simple and let the animation tell the story. We teamed up with Daniela Sherer who worked tirelessly with us on our story, building an abstract narrative with her distinct illustrations. Custom animation has its challenges when it comes to time restraints, with the time we had, we are over the moon with our final result.” Bjorn Franklin & Johnny Marchetta

The song is the 4th single released from The Coronas’ new album ‘True Love Waits’ set for release on 31st July on So Far So Good Records (Pre-order / Pre-save HERE).  Written by Danny, Gabrielle and (Hudson-Taylor front man) Alfie in Brighton last year the song was originally conceived with Gabrielle being the only vocalist, however a second glance at the track prompted Danny to try and make this a duet, “I loved the demo so much I suggested adding my vocal in unison in a lower octave.” The final version was recorded in the historic Eastcote Studios, London a few months later and now prominently features on the upcoming Coronas album ‘True Love Waits’. Its delicate atmosphere and bouncy tempo swell from verse to chorus, and allow the reflective lyrics space to breath amidst the synth and acoustic driven instrumentals.

The Coronas’ thirteen-year journey has definitely been unique. With a handful of multi-platinum selling albums and a huge fanbase in their native Ireland, they were just about to embark on a 6-month world tour when a certain unfortunately named virus tried to spoil the party. Thankfully, the band are back with the new album, rescheduled dates and a point to prove.

“The first thing we did was tweet Corona the beer, asking them what their plan was.” states Danny O’Reilly. “When we chat to our mates in bands who have postponed gigs and tours I just remind them it could be worse, you could share a name with the virus!”

Unfortunate monikers aside, ‘True Love Waits’ - the follow-up to 2017’s No.1 album ‘Trust The Wire’ - marks the start of what is now more than a new chapter in the career of one of Ireland’s biggest, best-loved bands, it’s more like a whole new book. A quartet for 13 years, last summer The Coronas became a trio when guitarist Dave McPhillips unexpectedly left. Briefly they questioned whether to continue but, once the shock had subsided, something dawned on the Dubliners. If they weren’t the band they used to be, why make music as they always had? 

“In retrospect, the shock of Dave leaving the band helped us get a clearer picture of what we wanted the album to be” says Danny O’Reilly, singer and lead songwriter. “When we accepted that we weren’t going to be the same band without him, it was easier to let the songs lead us in ways we wouldn’t have thought of before”

Lyrically, ‘True Love Waits’ addresses everything from a new love in Danny’s life to looking back at past achievements with pride to dealing with Dave’s departure. It’s a career spanning retrospective with an optimistic look to the future as Danny says, “We never thought we’d make six albums, or be as excited about music as we are now. It’s great that we’re not trying to compete with anyone else. We’d rather just outdo ourselves.”

UK 2020 Live dates

27th Oct The Deaf Institute, Manchester

30th Oct O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

1st Nov St Luke’s, Glasgow