Fontaines D.C. show their tender side on “Roy’s Tune”

Watch the Dublin-based band’s new video ahead of their U.S. live debut.

March 06, 2019

Fontaines D.C., the Dublin-based band, have established themselves as one of the most exciting new bands around via a series of scratchy and dark tunes clearly indebted to the world of post-punk. However, there is more than one string to the Irish band's bow, as they show on the tender and contemplative new single "Roy's Tune."

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"Roy's Tune" appears on the band's forthcoming debut album Dorgel, out April 12, and was written by guitarist Conor Curley after a late-night walk through his city. The video, directed by Liam Papadachi and premiering above, also offers a window into life after dark via a young farmer who leaves his family at home to enjoy a night drinking Guiness until the sun rises with his friends.

Speaking to The FADER via email, Conor discussed "Roy's Tune" and the story behind it: "It’s sung to Ireland and comes from a mindset of frustration, depression, and a loss of innocence," he said. "I used to work in the service industry, at a small burrito place in Dublin, and I’d walk home at night because I couldn’t afford public transportation. One night on my way home I was walking by The George, which is the biggest gay nightclub in Dublin, and a guy was getting kicked out by the bouncers. He kept yelling at them, “I’m gonna kill you stone dead!” and that turn of phrase stuck out to me.

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"A couple years back the EU awarded Ireland €14 billion in back taxes from Apple, but the government here refuses to do anything with the money out of fear Apple will move their headquarters. They care more about a giant corporation than the people of our country, and all we can do is sit there and take it.

"We wanted this to be a moment of reflection on the album. We included this song with the purpose of showing our intent as a band and as ongwriters. We intend to explore whatever emotions or ideas we see, not just make 'another post-punk album'."

Fontaines D.C. will perform in the U.S. for the first-time this weekend with two shows at New York's Union Pool March 7 and 8 ahead of a trip to SXSW.

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Fontaines D.C. show their tender side on “Roy’s Tune”