The time of year for live music is nearly gone, but there are still a handful of great shows coming to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection before 2024 calls it quits… Tomorrow, December 14th, Irish brother/sister emo duo Greywind will make their Philthy debut when they open The First Unitarian Church for Tiny Moving Parts and Action/Adventure, and we would definitely recommend making it how you spend your Saturday night!
This March Steph and Paul O’Sullivan released the Antidote EP, the follow-up to Greywind’s 2017 full-length debut, Afterthoughts, which blew up last year after numerous tracks went viral. Just this Monday Afterthoughts was re-released on vinyl courtesy of Smartpunk Records, and earlier today I got a chance to chat with Steph O’Sullivan about Greywind’s debut LP and follow-up EP, their first tour of America, and a few of Steph’s favorite things!
Izzy Cihak: This is a really big (and maybe hard-to-answer) question, but what’s it like being an emo band in Killarney, Ireland? Is there a “scene” there?
Steph O’Sullivan: There is no scene unfortunately. Me and Paul are the only emos in town.
Izzy: You just re-released your debut LP, Afterthoughts, after having a few of its tracks go viral and kinda blow up last year. So, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the album now, more than half a decade later?
Steph: I am so proud of Afterthoughts. I feel like the songs have held up greatly and the love people have shown it recently has made my heart very full.
Izzy: The re-release comes courtesy of Smartpunk, which is such a rad label. What are your thoughts on having a record out on Smartpunk, alongside so many absolute legends?
Steph: We’re so honoured to have it re-released through Smartpunk. They’ve been so great to work with on this and, as you said, there’s so many legends on the roster, so it’s nice to be part of that.
Izzy: You released your follow-up EP, Antidote, earlier this year. Despite being Afterthoughts’ follow-up, there were quite a few years in-between. So, I’m curious what you feel are some of the biggest differences between how the two of you approach music now, compared to when you made your debut?
Steph: I would say for me personally I am a stronger person now. I found it very difficult recording Afterthoughts; I struggled a lot with my anxiety and depression throughout that era. I still have my struggles but know how to handle things better. Working with Sam Guiana on our Antidote EP was an amazing experience; he pushed us to be the best we could be and really helped me believe in myself.
Izzy: Have you had any favorite fan reactions to the new EP since it dropped in March, whether things people have reached out to tell you online or things that you’ve heard from people at shows?
Steph: So many people have got Greywind tattoos which blows my mind! We’ve also seen incredible fan art, which is one of my favourite things.
Izzy: Do you have a favorite track off of the EP at the moment, whether one you’re most proud of, one that’s especially fun to play live, or one that might signify where future sounds are headed?
Steph: “Antidote” is always a fun one. “You’re My Medicine” is also fun. I’m probably most proud of “Swing and Sway.” We will always have theatrics and fun in our songs in the future, but you know we love a heavy, emotional song always.
Izzy: You’ve actually done a handful of really cool music videos from the EP with Scott Hansen at Digital Thunderdome. How has it been working with him on these visual elements of the band?
Steph: Working with Scott is always great! Him and his wife Desiree always treat us so well and support our visions we have. They go above and beyond to make our goals for videos happen.
Izzy: You’ve done your first-ever tours of America this year. What have been some of the highlights?
Steph: The crowds are my favourite thing. It’s insane to see people singing our songs when we’re in a different country. We saw a tornado which was a wild experience!
Izzy: You’ve spent a ton of time on the road this year in general, so I’m curious if you have any favorite things to do on the road while not actually playing live?
Steph: I sleep a lot, hahaha, or have some nice chats with the band. It’s cool to see all the different parts of America, too.
Izzy: You’re currently on a run of dates opening for Tiny Moving Parts. What can be expected of the Greywind live show? I’m totally excited to finally get to see you!
Steph: You can expect theatrical moments, fun and lots of emotion!
Izzy: The venue you’re playing here is this super legendary punk and hardcore DIY venue, First Unitarian Church, but I’m curious if you have any favorite types of venues to play at this point?
Steph: I love big stages; I like having room for activities!
Izzy: In addition to music, you also have a totally amazing sense of fashion, which seems to be an amalgam of a lot of classic rock n’ roll styles. What is it that that draws inspiration from? Do you have any particularly significant “style icons?”
Steph: Thank you! I love pops of colour in my outfits; I also am obsessed with 80’s makeup, but with a little bit of my own “emo” twist. Debbie Harry from Blondie is someone I get compared to a lot (which is a massive compliment), so she would definitely be a style icon of mine.
Izzy: And finally, since the year is coming to an end, I’m curious if you’ve had any favorite music of 2024?
Steph: My friends in Good Terms have a new album coming out this week and I’m lucky enough to have heard it already and it’s incredible.
*Get your tickets here.
