Bad Sea

State Faces
state.ie names its artists to look out for in the 12 months flowing from January each year, and accompanied by original photoshoots from our team of photographers.

Love’s loss was music’s gain as Ciara Thompson and Alan Farrell began a dark and soulful journey.

Photographed for State’s Faces by Leah Carroll

How did you come together as a musical duo?

Ciara: We met on Tinder in 2014. We quickly realised we had much more important issues to discuss than romance, such as Gilbert O’Sullivan. Meeting through the internet was great because it facilitated us being very upfront about what kind of music we were into without having to worry about embarrassing ourselves with our own poor taste. As it turns out, we had the same poor taste.

Alan: We initially wanted to be a pub covers band… and still regret not being one.

Do you share the same influences?

Ciara: Our only influence is Gilbert O’Sullivan.

Alan: I agree.

How do you feel you fit in with the rest of the Irish music scene?

Ciara: Not very well. From when I started doing gigs with the band there was always a feeling of Dublin being a bit of a lads’ club. Lots of people were making music, but you’d always see the same handful of dudes making the same kind of music being asked to do the same gigs. That’s fine, I understand people want to look after their mates, but it is kind of the norm which is super disheartening for people starting off. I also feel that musically we are a bit different to a lot of bands around us. We don’t really have a sonic or visual aesthetic pinned down at all, because we’re still quite new to this and our main focus is writing good songs. There aren’t too many people writing songs anymore, which sounds super shady but it’s true! I think the Dublin lads’ club has made people feel as if their priority should be trying to seem sound.

Alan: Personally, I think there is not enough lads playing music in Dublin.

What was the highlight of 2016?

Ciara: ‘Into You’ by Ariana Grande.

Alan: ‘Side to Side’ by Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj. Also releasing our first single, I guess.

What are your plans for 2017?

Ciara: I’m very excited about the singles we are gonna be releasing in 2017. Each one a bigger banger than the last. I am also confident in how much better our live show is going to be this year now that we have an amazing drummer. My New Year’s resolution is to learn how to do the splits and then do the splits onstage at every single show. I’ve been stretching every day!