Windings are a 5-piece rock/alt/pop/indie/folk/ (etc…) band from Limerick City, Ireland. Over the past few years, windings have had the pleasure of sharing stages, supporting, and touring with the likes of Daniel Johnston, Smog/Bill Callahan, Bob Mould, Caribou, Iron And Wine, Kurt Vile, The Decemberists, Grandaddy and Modest Mouse, amongst others.
Short rewind… 2012 saw the band ship off to Canada to play at Canadian Music Week, Toronto, for the second year running. After a successful run of shows at the festival, they continued north to Hotel2Tango Studios in Montreal where they recorded Side One of their 3rd album, entitled ‘I Am Not the Crow’ with Efrim Menuck (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Silver Mt Zion). Side Two was completed on their return to Ireland, with the expertise of Tommy McLaughlin (Villagers, SOAK) at Attica Audio, Donegal. Released (on Limited Edition Picture Vinyl and Digital Download) in October 2012 on Out On A Limb Records, I Am Not The Crow has been lauded by critics both nationally and internationally as one of the top Irish albums of that year, with its lead single ‘This Is A Conversation’ achieving considerable airplay on it’s release. However, the most exciting part was yet to come when I Am Not The Crow was nominated for the Choice Music Prize.
In 2014, Windings released a split 12” Album with their buddies Land Lovers (Dublin), marking a unique collaboration between two of Ireland’s longest running indie record labels; Out On A Limb Records, and Popical Island. Then in 2016 windings released their eagerly anticipated fourth album ‘Be Honest And Fear Not’, recorded once more with Tommy McLaughlin in Attica Audio. Having released ‘Stray Dogs/Helicopters’ (“just when you thought you knew all the answers, windings change the question. A delight” – Hot Press) as a lead single, the album followed in September of that year. It was critically acclaimed from the outset, and further singles and videos were released (Boring, You’re Dead).
(It was around this time that Windings decided that they needed a short break. Time to replenish, review, refresh, rethink, and fuckin relax!)
However, shortly after making this decision, Windings discovered that they were unaccustomed to short breaks, and not particularly good at them. So now, here in 2018, writing has begun in earnest for the next windings album. Another push forward, another holler into the unknown, another chance for this band to do what they love and hopefully connect with others who might just love it too.
Let’s do this.
What they said about “Be Honest and Fear Not” (2016)
“Vintage, maverick windings, at the peak of their own eccentricity” – Sunday Business Post
“An honest and blithely fearless collection, which is what makes windings a seriously fun and seriously underrated band” – The Ticket (Irish Times)
“Another boundary pushing effort, a really impressive return from one of Ireland’s finest bands” – Hot Press
“Don’t be at all surprised to see this one coming up on the ‘Best Of ‘16’ lists.” – Goldenplec.com
“It all makes for a career record for Windings – one vested in immediacy and relatability, without shirking the weight of the existence and experiences of the trials that brought it about. Superb.”-Headstuff.org
What they said about “I Am Not The Crow” (2012)
“Playing the rough off the smooth is no easy task, but Ryan and his band have forged an impressively sure-footed and enjoyably varied record…windings have become a band to be reckoned with.”
The Ticket (Irish Times) – album of the week
“I Am Not The Crow hears them tugging the strings and sticks of rock, pop and folk to create a masterful album of moveable parts… They’ve pulled out all the stops and aimed high. It’s paid off.”
harmlessnoise.com
“An impressively artful affair”
Hot Press
“Easily one of the best Irish Albums of 2012.”
state.ie
Readers’ Poll No 2 Best Irish album of 2012
nialler9.com
Irish Album of the Year
wearenoise.com
“I Am Not The Crow flies straight, with near-perfection”
Record Collector