Limerick indie band release music inspired by carefree time ahead of album release

LIMERICK indie outfit Anna's Anchor have released a new single ahead of their album release.

Inspired by the freedom of a holiday in Portugal, Hotel Dom Pancho, is driven by dreamy synth sounds and shows the new direction that the band has been going in over the past couple of years.

With harmonies from keyboardist, Clare O'Brien and ethereal sounds, the new release is not “your typical rock song”.

That's according to frontman Marty Ryan, who noted they tried to achieve “something unique” with the arrangement.

Working on Hotel Dom Pancho also allowed Marty to look back at one of the last “truly carefree” moments of his life.

After suffering a head injury about a year ago, the singer was inspired to work on a fourth album, titled The Merries.

“It was a real scare. Afterwards, I was just recounting happy memories that I've had throughout life.”

One of these memories happened in The Algarve, Portugal's most southerly region.

“It was just your typical holiday package,” recalled Marty. “For a week, I was just 100% present and in the moment with my friends. The sense of freedom I had during that week was something I've yet to experience since, because after that, my life changed dramatically in terms of responsibilities and becoming an adult. I look back on that as being the last truly free moment that I've had.”

Anna's Anchor's fourth album will be released on July 7. Inspired by an amusement park, Marty used to go to as a child, The Merries is a collection of songs narrating important memories.

Originally from Annacotty, the frontman moved to the United States to do a PhD in music education. This July, he will be back in Ireland for the band's album release tour - and will make a stop in Dolan's.
What is Marty looking forward to the most?

“I've been away from Limerick for two years now. I miss Limerick so much. I miss walking down to the Milk Market and bumping into loads of people that I know along the way,” he says fondly.

On July 15, Anna's Anchor will be playing in Dolan's and the frontman can't promise it won't be “emotional.” dolans.ie