setteesounds

Strap, the alias of Seán Burch, is an upcoming four piece band, ‘grooving into the Dublin music scene.’ Playing an amalgamation of indie, pop and rock, the musicality is complimented by Burch’s unique and captivating voice. Strap consists of Burch as the vocalist, writer and rhythm guitarist, Alex Moore on lead guitar and the occasional vocal, Matt Richards on drums and Mateusz Owsianka on bass. They met while attending BIMM, and soon after, began to play and gig together. Usually clothed in purple on stage, Strap’s shows are a small piece of lilac paradise within the Dublin music scene. 

💙setteesounds are always listening.💙

Before we start, I asked Burch why the band was called Strap. He said he began his musical endeavour with the alias ‘Zuerg,’ but after being the butt of many Toy Story jokes, and it feeling not quite right for the type of music he is producing, he decided to change it. Burch claims he always had his guitar strapped to his back as he grew up and his friends began to call him Strap. ‘For the first few times I heard it, I found it funny but…I saw it as a potential artist name and it just stuck.”

Burch, right off the bat, mentioned that evolution is something that Strap keep in mind when preparing for each and every gig, saying that ‘trying to chisel a new pathway can be stressful but ironically inspiring.’ Their ability to evolve and alter their performance almost constantly speaks to their tight musicianship, and also their insane ability as both a group and as individuals. Burch adds that they ‘delve into different “outside of [their] comfort zone” genres that [they] have some interest in…[to see if they have] elements that can influence [their music.]’ An example of this, he recalls, is one of their more bluesy songs called PFGTSY, ‘We played it live where it transitioned into having an entirely metal section packed with screaming and distortion. This song was originally quite boring to me…although there were elements I did enjoy…So when our lead guitarist Alex Moore suggested the idea, I jumped on.’ 

Burch also mentions that the band’s evolution comes from each individual’s influences, but also the other bands they play for, ‘our drummer Matt plays in Anemoia, who play genres of shoe-gaze and heavy rock. Our guitarist Alex Moore plays in Tonedeaf, who play a blend of genres such as metal…and disco.’ Strap’s sound and lineup is a recipe for success. Speaking personally as the writer of the band, Burch’s influences are Paolo Nutini, Hozier, Radiohead and the Strokes. ‘Elements of the way these artists write songs influence [how] I feel each song should be written…as well as how they are recorded and performed.’ Burch says they aim ‘to get people dancing and singing along,’ and assures the readers of SetteeSounds that ‘if you attend a gig where we’re performing, you will have a great time.’ (This is very much a true statement, I fucking love Strap. They did a cover of Wet Leg’s ‘Chaise Longue’ randomly once and it was fucking brilliant.)

In terms of the future, it seems to be looking bright. Strap consistently gig throughout the city, follow their instagram linked below to keep up to date! Burch hints at new releases, ‘we aim to start consistently recording some more music and release a track in the coming two months, with another released not long after.’ Strap also embraces the ambiguity of genre in relation to their future, ‘we plan to write much more music in as many different ways and genres as possible to get people talking.’

SetteeSounds focuses on music in Dublin and coming from BIMM, so does Strap. BIMM can feel sometimes, as an outsider, like a very insular institution and music, regardless of it being good or bad, is always flowing from it. ‘The Dublin music scene seems to be booming with artists playing in local pubs, clubs and pretty much any venue that will take them.’ They mention Ten Hail Marys, Under Starling, Calum Agnew, Affection to Rent, Martina and the Moons and Hannah McConnell are really inspiring them at the moment, ‘they are all building their own image and sound, we can see them going much further within the scene.’ Strap have a pretty impressive list of previous gigs played in prestigious venues, such as the Soundhouse, Fibbers, Opium Rooms and the Workman’s Main Room, but claims their favourite venue is the Grand Social, ‘we’ve played there most frequently and often have great sound, thanks to the sound engineers working in the venue.’ Strap also hope to play in some new venues in the coming months, most namely Sin É and upstairs in Whelans. 

A fun fact about the band is that during their last recording session in Windmill Lane, Burch forgot to bring his capo and as an alternative, ‘[they] used [their] drummers vape as well as a few elastic bands held in place which acted as a capo. It didn’t even sound too bad.’

Listen to: Me and My Joy if you need a pick me up. Beautiful on a cold morning. 

Catch them at the Soundhouse on February 13th. Not to be missed