Land lovers

At the tail-end of 2008, Pádraig Cooney released his home-recorded album ‘Romance Romance’ under the name Land Lovers. It was a hit with critics, bloggers and what have you, gaining 4-star reviews in The Ticket, the RTÉ Guide and The Sunday Tribune, among other favourable notices. He recruited Ciarán Canavan, Brian Lynch, Cormac Hughes and Rob Maguire to play the songs live and, in doing so, Land Lovers became a ‘proper’ band. The EP ‘Immovable Feet’ was quickly delivered.

Late in 2009, Land Lovers helped to form the Popical Island collective with fellow Dublin-based bands Groom and Yeh Deadlies, formalising a co-operative relationship that had built up over time.

The band has contributed a song to the much-loved Popical Island #1 compilation; played nationwide tour dates including appearances at Electric Picnic, Castlepalooza, Hard Working Class Heroes and the IMRO showcase; and supported an odd assortment of international luminaries, such as The Mantles, Nodzz, Stornoway and The Wave Pictures.

In early 2010 Shane Murphy replaced Rob Maguire on bass. Land Lovers have since been hard at work with producer Ciaran Bradshaw (O Emperor, Dark Room Notes, Miracle Bell) on ‘Confidants’ their second full-length record, due for release in September 2011.