Small Talk, by Soda Blonde

Small Talk

by Soda Blonde

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decels It's very rare that an album comes along and sticks to me like this one. Pure magic. Every single song on it brings you on a journey. Please don't stop the music and hopefully see you in Oz sometime soon. Favorite track: Champion Of My Time.

MIB It's rare for pop to be both catchy and deep. Soda Blonde succeeds at both. Favorite track: Try.

Jean-Francois REMY Waouh !!! Very good Album. Thanks for your sign album and I hope to see you on concert. Favorite track: Small Talk.

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
The long awaited debut album from Dublin's Soda Blonde.

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Orders will be fulfilled as soon as possible. Thank you for your support and patience.

Includes unlimited streaming of Small Talk via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 98 days

Purchasable with gift card

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
The long awaited debut album from Dublin's Soda Blonde, on limited edition digifile CD.

All orders are subject to local customs charges. All orders are fulfilled from the United Kingdom.

Orders will be fulfilled as soon as possible. Estimated fulfilment date of August 30th, 2021. Thank you for your support and patience.

Includes unlimited streaming of Small Talk via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 30 days

edition of 450 67 remaining

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1.	Tiny Darkness 03:30	lyrics	buy track
Have you seen my pockets? Get with the program Everything’s been slipping Straight out of my hands It takes everything to begin again Am i what i say i am? Or do they define me? I was making it by hand Now it’s built in your factories It costs you nothing To remark like that About all i have This tiny tiny tiny darkness In everyone that you meet This tiny tiny tiny likeness It makes us all enemies They said that i could be a star But i bent out of my shape I’m like a washed-up tv host Watching back old tapes It takes everything to begin again This tiny tiny tiny darkness In everyone that you meet This tiny tiny tiny likeness It makes us all enemies What is it that you call righteous? Well i don’t know what you mean This is all so complicated Maybe i should have got a degree
2.	The Dark Trapese 04:13	lyrics	buy track
I’m a seed I’m the dark trapeze I’m an advertisement I’m the words you start a fight with Tell me why it beats I think that it’s beating too fast You are what i need I need you to slow it down Put your hands around my waist Maybe you’ll find it When you are dreaming Up from the depths and down from the ceiling Saturday’s pain I will let it out I’m a coin (ha) I’m the broke and forlorn I’m a beautiful child I’m a disease running wild Put your hands around my waist Maybe you’ll find it When you are dreaming Up from the depths and down from the ceiling Saturday’s pain I will let it out I’m a picture in a gallery From 1893 I’m a bottle of beer I’m every sad story that you hear Tell me why it beats Maybe you’ll find it When you are dreaming Up from the depths and down from the ceiling Saturday’s pain I will let it out
3.	In The Heat Of The Night 03:46	lyrics	buy track
I’ll be the north and you be south You pulled me in as you got out You’re telling me to calm down Now everything is coming out Its the way you carry on and the way that you lie It’s under harsh lights baby we say our goodbye It’s been a long time coming so don’t act surprised The things we say in the heat of the night I hear a choir of slot machines Breaking of glass and wasted teens You’re telling me to calm down We really need to settle this now It’s the way you carry on and the way that you lie It’s under harsh lights baby we say our goodbye It’s been a long time coming so don’t act surprised The things we say in the heat of the night
4.	Swimming Through The Night 03:48	lyrics	buy track
I had a dream that i was your lover And in the dream, i looked like another But it was a dream and i woke up like a fool I look the same and i am alone Beauty was the friend That i never ever had So out of revenge, i begged age to be mine But then came a friend who said ‘trust me more than the mirror’ And that was you and where did you go? Ah baby i am swimming through the night I gotta explain it to you or i’ll never be alright Ooh ooh, ooh-ooh, whatever Ooh ooh, ooh-ooh, whatever You had a dream when i was your lover And in the dream, you cried for your father But it was a dream and his body is no longer How i wish that you had cried for me like that Ah baby i am swimming through the night I gotta explain it to you or i’ll never be alright Ooh ooh, ooh-ooh, whatever Ooh, ooh, whatever Someone said it so much better Someone said it so much better
5.	Terrible Hands 04:11	lyrics	buy track
You stay out all night I know cash is king Why my surprise i just don’t know You never ever get me home You call her my name Christening my jealousy Fumble the edges of this skin I guess i thought it was our thing You know And your hearts in mine But you tell me all the time I’m in terrible terrible terrible terrible hands Oh i’m in terrible terrible terrible terrible hands You tell me some heavy shit Your eyes roll back into your head a bit I think you know to some degree I’d take the bad parts of you over the good of me Uh oh They say i’m a joke and it’s sad because i know I’m in terrible terrible terrible terrible hands Oh i’m in terrible terrible terrible terrible hands
6.	Try 04:17	lyrics	buy track
Paint face, leave home And i am followed by my soul It says slow down but i’ve made my mind up And i don’t need its advice right now This is what i always do Will i ever change for you? We don’t have to get this right the first time But i’m gonna try And if we don’t get this right the first time You wouldn’t mind I’m out again You’re waiting tables And there’s no way you’ll be finished by ten In town with me And i’ve noticed that this is the closest To somebody i’ve ever been If i said i always felt it It’s only now that i truly meant it We don’t have to get this right the first time But i’m gonna try And if we don’t get this right the first time You wouldn’t mind Gotta get a job Gotta go to work Gotta find yourself? Then meet me afterwards Gotta find a god Better buy a car Gotta make that grade I’ll meet you wherever you are
7.	Holy Roses 03:42	lyrics	buy track
Hold on let me get this straight You said what you want and now you are done Oh well isn’t that just great I guess i’ll be keeping it in till i’m numb So many fights So much nothing in the bed So many railroads that don’t lead to anything So much drama So much that i never said So many times that you would bypass me For someone else instead I don’t believe it You stand in the way but tell me to run I followed a feeling You want me to stay but honey i’m done Holy roses Hold on let me get this straight You’re saying the fault is mine you’re strung Out and can’t communicate Oh mother of god can you give me some So many fights So much nothing in the bed So many railroads that don’t lead to anything So much drama So much that i never said So many times that you would bypass me For someone else instead I don’t believe it You stand in the way but tell me to run I followed a feeling You want me to stay but honey i’m done Holy roses I don’t believe it You stand in the way but tell me to run I followed a feeling I don’t understand but i will act on So many fights So much nothing in my head So many packets of empty pills upon the bed So much drama So much drowning in the debt And now it’s time for me to bypass you For all of this instead I don’t believe it You stand in the way but tell me to run I followed a feeling You want me to stay but honey i’m done Holy roses
8.	I Still Have Feelings For You 04:25	lyrics	buy track
Heaven knows i have tried to do what’s right Hell knows i’ve been abusing my body To match it with my mind It’s been so long since we were where now? I saw your girl got a glimpse of the back of her hair I’m not up to date on any current situations A waste of conversation There’s one thing on my brain I still have feelings for you I still can’t manage any memories that you come into I still get weak out of true I still have feelings for you Heaven knows i have tried to write my wrongs Hell knows i won’t admit to half of them though And if you know me like i am You’ll know it’s nothing personal I’m naturally bad I am just a player and a self-indulgent prayer I sway to make you stay And by the way I still have feelings for you I still can’t manage any memories that you come into I still get weak out of true I still have feelings for you You decided you decided nothing You decided you decided nothing You decided you decided nothing You decided you decided nothing I still have feelings for you I still get married to the memories that you come into I still get weak and i use I still have feelings for you
9.	Small Talk 04:38	lyrics	buy track
Never been so bound to anybody like you Your silhouette is all around But now that you don’t want me You’re making it easy You insinuate i’m a loser Down that avenue Through the lane that we go through And i can tell by the way that you lean That you’re fine on your own now Giving it up I am giving giving up I am giving up small talk Giving it up I am giving giving up I am giving up small talk Small talk Everything is practice Talking is tactics Hello how are you doin’ baby? Forever in the moment But nobody’s noticed The silhouette that’s all around Is this all of it? Do i suppress everything? Am i just too late to admit that i’m ignoring myself? Giving it up I am giving giving up I am giving up small talk Giving it up I am giving giving up I am giving up small talk Giving it up I am giving giving up I am giving up small talk Small talk Giving you up I am giving giving up I am giving you up Giving you up I am giving giving up I am giving you up
10.	Champion Of My Time 03:41	lyrics	buy track
I thought i was seeing you through me And that is not what i wanted to be like But if you go i know i’ll realise That you’re the champion of my time You were there when I started to look like a woman Telling me i shouldn’t mind What they say or make fun of I know this isn’t a game to you Giving up I deserve it You know i carry the shame of it Like a child, kicking with torment When you say that you don’t know if i love you It kills me I know that it’s one of your dreams That you and i would get along alright But maybe it’s the you in me that stops us And the part that you don’t like You were there when i started to slide And keep slipping Trying to remind myself of all those times When i’m slipping I know this isn’t a game to you Giving up I deserve it You know i carry the shame of it Like a child, kicking with torment See the thing is, that i don’t know if i love you And it kills me
11.	Love Me World 03:23	lyrics	buy track
Someday i know i will be leaving Virtual connection is not appealing Will you be my orphan love And when it gets too tough i’ll give you away Be the bullet in my side To remind me that love is pain Love me world I want you to love me world Love me world I want you Love me world I want you to love me world Love me world I want you Afraid of everybody’s success i confess Everyone’s dangerous to my ideas of myself I was lookin’ for a feeling, Validate me, shape me, hеal me with love But from my family and friends And еven you my darling’s not enough Love me world I want you to love me world Love me world i want you Love me world I want you to love me world Love me world i want you Who are ya? Who are ya? Love me world I want you to love me world Love me world I want you Love me world I need you to love me world Love me world I want you
12.	Choices 03:39	lyrics	buy track
You’re nervous Cause i’m angry again And it’s my body and i’ll cry if i want to But don’t make this out to be like that You’re pulling I’m pulling right back Everything i’m saying’s right over your head But you won’t make me push for something that’s dead Maybe you have everything i wanted So maybe i should just fall into line Maybe i should let you make my choices Or maybe you should go to hell and write Me a love song I’m jealous Of everything that you’ve been born with And it’s my body and i’ve cried all night long I am getting stronger are you with me on this? Maybe we have only one emotion That only changes by refracting lights Maybe you’re not getting the colours i’m showing And maybe that’s the reason that we fight Maybe i have everything you wanted And maybe you are scared of my insight I will never let you make my choices So maybe you prefer i go and write you a love song You’re nervous You’re nervous You’re nervous You’re nervous

about

The debut album from Soda Blonde may be called Small Talk, but if there’s one thing the Dubliners do not do, it’s mince words. Out July 9th via Velveteen Records, the entirely self-produced album sees the group reflecting on their twenty-something experiences with refreshingly honest transparency.

“To put it simply, Small Talk is about life in our 20’s,” says Faye O’Rourke, Soda Blonde’s enigmatic front woman. “Every part of us is in here, both subliminally and literally. Lyrically, this record is like a collection of my flaws and insecurities. They’re lingering awkwardly by the bar at a crowded social gathering, waiting to integrate with the wider world”.

The album’s titular lead single is Soda Blonde’s way of taking a seat at the table of their own narrative, and its glittering alt-pop hooks present the foursome as a compelling collective voice in music.

All four band members (O’Rourke, guitarist Adam O’Regan, drummer Dylan Lynch and bassist Donagh Seaver-O’Leary) are seasoned musicians, despite their youth. They have been playing together since their early teens, with their previous band – the internationally renowned Little Green Cars, whose seminal debut album skyrocketed to number one on the Irish album charts. O’Rourke is the first to admit that when Little Green Cars called it a day, she felt lost. But a career shift for the four musicians wasn’t in the cards – and Small Talk is self-evident proof, different than anything the group have released before, but carrying on its back all the things they’ve learned.

Wholly unafraid to admit her flaws and defiant in the face of the world’s misconceptions, O’Rourke litters the songs on Small Talk with tension, playing with the reliability of personal experience. While examining the intricacies of big subjects – religion versus science; good versus bad; fate versus choice – Small Talk also seeks to unpack O’Rourke’s own conditioning. Self-assuredness grapples with societal pressures, anger battles it out with contentment, and frustration with a divide – between personal relationships and the world at large – is ever-present.

“With feminism on one shoulder and trans-generational Catholic guilt on the other, it’s hard to find your way as an Irish woman,” O’Rourke says. “The truth is, I’ve found that process of deprogramming myself extremely hard, and now I lie somewhere between the past and future.

“Small Talk touches on many things: indulging in the darkness, while also trying to derive some meaning from it; on having no degree; on the way I sabotaged multiple relationships, or let my parents down. It’s about looking for resolution and revolution in sex and politics. It’s about being abused mentally and physically by the people you love the most, and in turn, abusing the people who love you. It’s about my first heartbreak at 14, how it’s still intrinsically a part of me and the shame and embarrassment that it brings. It’s about having something you thought was a sure thing, like your career, ripped out from underneath you. It’s also about the idea of optical virtue over the reality of how we treat those around us”.

Through all of this, the band never claim to be role models. Undeniably a coming-of-age record, Small Talk is a dazzling portrait of someone who isn’t afraid to hold the messy parts of herself up for questioning. Between tightly stacked percussion and effervescent, radio-ready melodies sit plain-spoken truths and the hard-learned lessons of a group still at the start of what is sure to be a long journey.

credits

released July 9, 2021

PRODUCED BY SODA BLONDE

ENGINEERED BY ADAM O’REGAN

RECORDED AT WHITE COTTAGE, KILLINEY BEACH

MIXED BY ADAM O’REGAN

MASTERED BY AIDAN MCGOVERN AT ACADEMY OF SOUND

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION ON ‘HOLY ROSES’ BY J SMITH

SODA BLONDE ARE:
FAYE O’ROURKE - VOCALS, GUITAR
ADAM O’REGAN - GUITAR, BASS, PIANO, SYNTHESISER, VOCALS DONAGH SEAVER O’LEARY - BASS, VOCALS
DYLAN LYNCH - DRUMS, PERCUSSION, VOCALS

STRING ARRANGEMENTS ON ‘TINY DARKNESS’ AND ‘CHOICES’ BY ADAM O’REGAN AND ARAN O’GRADY

STRINGS RECORDED BY BEN RAWLINS AT DIT CONSERVATORY

LUCIA MAC PARTLILN - VIOLIN ANDREW SHEERAN - VIOLIN

PHILIP KEEGAN - VIOLA

GABRIELĖ DIKČIŪTĖ - CELLO EDWARD TAPCEANU - DOUBLE BASS

COVER ART PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICIO CASSINONI CONCEPT & ART DIRECTION BY SODA BLONDE

MANAGEMENT - RICHARD JONES & RYAN TERPSTRA AT KEY MUSIC MANAGEMENT

ALL SONGS BY FAYE O’ROURKE

MUSIC ARRANGED AND PERFORMED BY SODA BLONDE

ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS ON ‘TINY DARKNESS’ AND ‘THE DARK TRAPEZE’ BY DAN SMITH AND STEVIE APPLEBY

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Soda Blonde Dublin, Ireland

Soda Blonde are an alt-pop band from Dublin, Ireland.

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