Fergal Edward Reflects on Time and Change with Another Place
Dublin singer-songwriter Fergal Edward is no newcomer to the Irish music scene. Having spent years writing, recording and performing with bands including Wild Promises and IMLÉ, he's now taking things in a quieter direction. His recent material focuses on relationships, getting older and those memories that have a habit of sticking around.
Working from a suburban Dublin attic, often late into the night, Edward takes inspiration from the likes of Damien Rice, Sufjan Stevens and King Creosote. His approach is fairly simple, keeping the arrangements stripped back and letting the songwriting do most of the talking. With a new EP on the way, his latest single, Another Place
, gives us a taste of what's to come.
A Simple Arrangement That Works
Built around a gentle, melodic piano, Another Place
doesn't try to do too much, and that's part of its charm. A subtle beat, courtesy of Francesca Pratt, keeps things moving without getting in the way, while acoustic guitars sit quietly in the background, adding a little warmth to the overall sound.
Edward's vocals are soft, raw and full of feeling, with a slightly fragile quality that suits the song perfectly. There's nothing forced about his delivery, and he doesn't feel the need to push his voice to make a point. Instead, he lets the words settle naturally alongside the piano.
Inspired by Antony Gormley's Another Place
The inspiration behind the track comes from a visit to Antony Gormley's Another Place, an installation featuring 100 cast-iron figures standing along Crosby Beach near Liverpool. Looking out towards the sea, the figures are constantly exposed to the elements, each one rusting and weathering differently as the years pass.
For Edward, the sight of those figures sparked thoughts about how people and relationships change over time. Just as the statues gradually take on their own individual marks, we too are shaped by the years, the places we've been and the people we've shared those moments with.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Edward explains:
What fascinated me on that beach was the way each statue was ageing differently – rusting, decaying, becoming more individual over time.
He also reflects on how returning to the same place years later would reveal changes not only in the statues, but in the people visiting them. It's an interesting way of looking at ageing, and one that gives 'Another Place' a personal touch without making the song feel overly sentimental.
Final Verdict
Another Place
is a lovely piece of songwriting from Fergal Edward, showing that sometimes keeping things simple is the best approach. The gentle piano, subtle percussion and honest vocals come together nicely, while the story behind the track gives it something extra to think about.
It's a thoughtful look at time, change and the memories we carry with us. If this is an indication of where Edward is heading with his forthcoming EP, there's plenty to look forward to.
The single, Another Place, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: Fergal Edward
