WACKUMS CD Release
By Quinn Ireland
The time has finally come!
I am sixteen-year-old Quinn Ireland, and my debut album, WACKUMS, is complete!
After eight grueling months, I have my appreciation of physical media in my grasp, and it could be in yours too! WACKUMS is a grotesque featuring of expanded genres, not sticking to one thread of folk, punk, choir and instrumental piano ballads (written by family and friends). Inspired by the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins to Bob Dylan, WACKUMS ultimately creates a range of musical layers that I believe accurately sum up me and my musical pallet.
The twenty-one-track record was captured from my own DAW recording software gifted as a Christmas present from my very smart producer uncle. As soon as I laid my hands on this interface in late December last year, I had to record something, and that song remains on the album today.
The combined works of the album were 90% me, playing virtually all of the instruments. WACKUMS is recorded in our welcoming studio known as The Band House which is well known among local musicians. I practically live out here!
My routine practice for a good portion of the process was questioning if I should keep going or if I should head off to bed as the clock struck three AM!
I cannot give enough thanks to that other 10% who helped me cross this rewarding finish line. It took from December to May for the recording side of things and from May to July for the taxing post-production marathon.
For vocals, I do not sing myself but rather write all of the lyrics and construct the melodies. I have a very talented list of singers to recognize:
Harriet Armstrong, Naomi Karsten, Franklin Lundberg, Oliver McPhail, the Denman Island Community Choir, and of course, Mom, Bethany Ireland, who stood as one half of the parental support throughout this crazy and somewhat mind-numbing process. I would delicately teach my Mom the melodies and phrases through hours of careful time in The Band House. Also, thanks a million to the supporting musicians on the album:
Timber Hayward-Siegner, Oliver Ireland (my bro), Harriet Armstrong, Oliver McPhail, and Bethany Ireland.
And finally, the production side of things, in which I owe my soul to Oliver McPhail. The producer extraordinaire who is about my age committed fully, and I mean with true heart, in assisting with the post-production of WACKUMS. I had been teasing about the release of WACKUMS since back in March, bringing it up at the open stage where I would present a few of the songs. Little did I know the road I had ahead, the mountain I had to climb. Months of frustration, sadness, and ultimately, lost faith in this thing ever getting finished…
Now I sit here, beyond the struggle of post-production madness and never-ending pickiness and perfection, with 100 CDs bearing the light blue title WACKUMS.
I have always cherished physical media, much like my parents do. I have grown up with records and CDs, even through a time of streaming service popularity. So, naturally, I had to go with this choice as my first impression of my music. As for cover art, I’ll let you decide how it is associated with the record…
WACKUMS will be released on August 28th (tomorrow) at the front hall along with the amazing doubleheader show that will feature local youth musicians (including me), and dancers, run by the fantastic trio of my mom Bethany Ireland, Shel Brodsgaard, and Quinn Lundberg. I may play a little medley of WACKUMS songs as an opening stunt… Wink, wink…
The names that coat this list of assistance are familiar. In fact, every youth member who helped make this record is in a little local band called Polsen Moose. They are also in this amazing presentation known as Wild Haven!
So come out this Friday, bring your $15, and buy this genre-less album,
I sure do hope you enjoy it!
All the best to you, amazing locals!
Your support and encouragement make dreams like this a reality…
