We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Birdwatching

from Deep Blue | Album by Tomás Ó Cáinte

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €1 EUR  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Debut album comes in a beautiful gatefold card case with 16-page booklet containing lyrics, album art, album photography, musician and song-writing credits on limited-edition digifile CD.

    All orders are subject to local customs charges. All orders are fulfilled from Ireland. Thank you for your support and patience.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Deep Blue | Album via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 21 days
    edition of 145 
    Purchasable with gift card

      €12 EUR or more 

     

about

Ah, writing this with the artist Emma Gale was a blast. She and I were on the Bird On A Wire songwriting course with ten other songwriters, overseen by Boo Hewerdine and Fin Napier in 2021.

This song was the result of a songwriting task based on the theme of birds and I was paired with Emma. I came up with the initial draft once I hit on a mockingbird imitating the song of other birds, which conjured up a busker. Eagle as the bouncer and Peacock as the man-about-town quickly followed.

I wanted a song to convey the incredible nature of Galway on a hot Summer's night. Importantly, the germ (oops) of the idea was in April 2021 when socialising in Galway was still fanciful with the pandemic still pretty prominent.

Every syllable and melody choice was strongly argued on both sides. I think the result reflects our different styles in a big way.

It was the first song I recorded for the album with Chris Pepper. As our recording sessions progressed during those summer days of 2022, I made some lyric changes, added harmonies.

The absolutely incredible Seonaid Aitken added her string arrangement to lift a song of joy about watching the world go by in Galway City on a wild, wild, wild Summer night even more.

It's my only co-write on this album. It was always going to be the opening track.

lyrics

BIRDWATCHING (Ó Cáinte, Gale)

Peacock struts his stuff as he’s walking down the street
Ruffles his tail feathers. “Hey, everybody, look at me!”
In his natural habitat, he’s expecting to be seen
On the dancing streets of Galway, he’s the king of bonhomie

Mockingbird is strumming all the latest from the pop charts
Well maybe this is it for her, maybe it’s good start
She’s hitting all the higher notes, the beautiful people flock the bars
On the singing streets of Galway, she’s the queen of her guitar

(We’re watching) in the city on a summer night
(We’re watching) in the city of a million shining lights
(We’re watching) in the city until morning takes flight
(We’re watching) all the birds on a wild, wild, wild summer night

Eagle watches warily as the wild ones start to circle (we watch the world go by)
Happy hens hold handbags, cockerels crow nocturnal (tonight’s the night we fly)
He ensures the people here are not getting into any harm
On the stormy streets of Galway, he’s the king of keeping calm

(We’re watching) in the city on a summer night
(We’re watching) in the city of a million shining lights
(We’re watching) in the city until morning takes flight
(We’re watching) all the birds on a wild, wild, wild summer night

credits

from Deep Blue | Album, released November 3, 2023
Words and music: Tomás Ó Cáinte and Emma Gale

Tomás Ó Cáinte: Piano, Keyboards, Vocals | Chris Pepper: Drums, Percussion, Bass, Guitars
The Seonaid Aitken Quartet: Strings

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Tomás Ó Cáinte image

Tomás Ó Cáinte Galway, Ireland

Tomás is an Irish singer/songwriter based in Galway, Ireland.

He has attended songwriting courses run by John Spillane and Bird On The Wire (Boo Hewerdine and Fin Napier).

Tomás released his debut album, DEEP BLUE (recorded in Saltwell Studio in 2022), on 03 November 2023.

The 10-track album is available in digital download.

The CD format also has the Grand Canyon single. ... more

contact / help

Contact Tomás Ó Cáinte

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Tomás Ó Cáinte, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now