Choice Music Prize nod for Limerick’s Windings

LIMERICK band Windings have been shortlisted for Irish album of the year for 2012, among a glitting array of Irish music’s finest acts.

The band, fronted by Steve Ryan plus Garry Carroll, Mike Gavin, Pa O’Brien and Brian Meaney, were shortlisted for the Meteor Choice Music Prize, which is selected by a panel of industry experts.

Windings were shortlisted for I Am Not The Crow, released on local label Out On A Limb Records - the DIY label’s first ever Choice nomination, leading to a double celebration.

“It is brilliant, we are absolutely delighted, chuffed,” said Steve Ryan. “It is great to get even the nod, the recognition. It is not something we set out to achieve, but it does mean a lot to us and it might open the album up to people who haven’t heard of it, or us.”

Also nominated on a strong list for the Choice - which will be announced in Dublin’s Vicar Street on March 7 - are Wallis Bird, The Cast of Cheers, Adrian Crowley, Delorentos, Damien Dempsey, Julie Feeney, Heathers, Mumblin Deaf Ro and Two Door Cinema Club.

The nomination is a deserved one for Windings, who have really hit their stride with the current incarnation of the band, with the album reflecting Ryan’s growing maturity as a songwriter.

The album is only available on download and vinyl and was recorded between Ireland and Hotel2Tango studios in Montreal with Efrim Menuck of Godspeed You! Black Emperor fame and crowd-funded by supporters of the band.

“We enjoyed the process and it really worked out well, the way it sounded and the way it was recorded, it was the whole package for us,” explained Steve.

“Everybody who was involved in funding this album can share in the nomination now, the people who funded it made this album with us and it wouldn’t exist otherwise.”