SLANE, CO. MEATH

DATES

OVERVIEW Not everything in pop or rock music starts off with a big bang; sometimes, you have to take it slowly, ease out the talent and skill, and shape it into something that not only does the job right here and right now, but also future proofs it for subsequent generations to listen to. Slane brothers John and Neil Carolan know all about the slow build-up. Born into a musical and music loving family, from an early age the two brothers would stop fighting each other over toys, and instead come up with tunes in order to impress their musically-inclined father (whose choice of music was hugely varied and influential, and which included everything from Abba to Zeppelin, with special mention to the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, Paul Brady, and Planxty). As soon as the brothers made friends with people who were into the same music they formed a band; not long after, they entered their first talent competition. Small and local it may have been, but because John and Neil won (with a song they co-wrote) they quickly became addicted to performing and writing. Time spent in a variety of different bands followed, but as they grew older they realised that two brotherly heads were better than a group of disparate individuals. In short, they ended up as a duo, winning the Irish national Forresters in Navan twice (they had also previously won it in a band format). Their experience led them to believe that they'd be swept away by some music bigwig and that they'd never look back, but life has a way of pulling the rug away from under your feet and before too long the brothers parted- John to Canada (where he performed with fellow musicians, as well as playing with a few touring bands), and Neil to a variety of Ireland-based covers groups. Through John, the pair then met Canadian studio owner and producer Mike Callewaert, whose experience and knowledge proved invaluable. Shortly after, John and Neil started writing songs, and eventually made a home demo recording of them. Fast forward to the early months of 2005, and the Drogheda Songwriter's Week, where, following a series of song writing workshops with acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter John Spillane, John and Neil entered and won the Songwriter's competition- their entry chosen by Irish Times music critic Tony Clayton-Lea. A year and some music industry smoke and mirrors later (which involved a certain X-Factor judge called Louis Walsh), John and Neil have completed their debut album “Draw the Line.” The lads have the talent and the songs- all they need is the luck. Go on and wish them some. 2006 - Release of 'Draw The Line' album