Longstryde
Longstryde are a band that have been waiting a lifetime to happen. Centred around the core of brothers Tommy and Ricky, it took an almost chance encounter to bring the brothers together and form what would become known as Longstyrde. The fruits of this labour, ‘Superhuman’ marks the bands debut single and already establishes the band as a vital new voice in the Irish music scene. A project that goes beyond being personal or cathartic but delves deep into family, interpersonal connection and transcending the barriers that we ourselves or life places in our path as we strive to achieve.
Family is a red thread that runs throughout the band. Tommy’s journey began in atypical circumstances, finding his voice by training as a choir boy then graduating to operatic roles in the prestigious Bord Gais Energy Theatre, National Concert Hall and Gaiety Theatre. However, these achievements did nothing to satiate Tommys’ want for something more visceral, honest and raw. Elder brother, Ricky has been crafting songs since his early teens, taking inspiration not only from the slew of music that filled their household but studying poetry and film to help sharpen his storytelling skills. Then pulling from the soundtracks that accompanied them. All these disparate elements helped form the filter that Ricky views the world through, which in turn allows songwriting to become an expression of how the brothers make sense of the world around them and express complex emotions. The name ‘Longstryde’ again has familial origins, taken from the brother’s grandmother as she yelled in support of Ricky as he competed in sprints. The name took on a wider meaning for the brothers, becoming a mantra of determination and to succeed in spite of whatever obstacle might disrupt their path.
‘Superhuman’ happened almost by accident. After some experimentation with home recording Ricky shared an early version with Tommy, made up of Ricky's guitars, scratch vocals, programmed drums and midi bass. The next day Tommy had transformed the scratch vocals into the emotive and lush vocal we hear on the track today. Joining the brothers on drums, Alex Sanchez opens the track with considerable kick snare thump, giving way to layers of delayed guitars that sprinkle notes like stars against a blank canvas sky. Tommy's signature lush vocals sound at ease making the transition from opera to rock. Lyrically the track speaks of breaking down self-imposed barriers, pushing against familiarity and comfort, striving to achieve while closing the book on old chapters, looking to horizons anew. While the track touches on these universal themes, drawing the listener in and letting them connect through their own narrative, it feels like a mission statement of sorts for the band. Maintaining the family red thread, brother-in-law Andre Silva added bass to the track that anchors the rhythms of Alex and adds melodic weight to Tommy's vocals. The track builds and crescendos as Ricky's guitar offers an avalanche of notes while Tommy's call and response harmonies help bring the track home. It feels like reaching the summit and planting the flag in triumph. It is cathartic, but while most catharsis centres around an exorcising or purging, here it feels hopeful.
To help capture this sound the band turned to Mikey Rogers at Sun Studios to produce, fully making use of all the studio had to offer to capture the performance and emotion of the track. The artwork accompanying Superhuman is a visual representation of courageously stepping over the threshold, symbolised by the figure of a running man. The bold colours and dynamic movement in the artwork represent the energy and determination needed to be truly superhuman. It echoes the universal human experience of pushing forward in the face of uncertainty.
This might be the maiden offering from the band, but they come to us fully formed. Perhaps the years spent growing up together, subconsciously feeding each other’s influences, were all preparation for this. Welcome to the Longstryde family.
