On the stage with… Jarlath Cowan

Recall for us an early memory you have of music?

When I was a kid, I entered a ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ contest at the summer scheme in Cookstown Leisure Centre. I wanted to be Eminem, but due to the offensive nature of his lyrics, I had to scrap that idea, and be Noel Gallagher instead. In hindsight, I’m glad I went with the latter, as I most likely saved myself A LOT of embarrassment… because I can’t, and shouldn’t, rap!

Which artists did you listen to growing up?

Since my early teens, to this very day, I have been, some might say, ‘annoyingly’ obsessed with the Ramones. Bands like Slipknot, Metallica, and Blink-182 also played a big part in getting me into alternative music in general from a young age.

Give me the name of the first album that you ever bought?

I think it was ‘Hybrid Theory’ by Linkin Park – and definitely not the Vengaboys’ ‘The Party Album’, which I might be too embarrassed to honestly admit publicly!

Tell me a song that makes you feel nostalgic.

‘Fat Lip’ by Sum-41. I got their album, ‘All Killer No Filler’ the same Christmas that I got my first guitar, so it always brings me back to sitting in my room, trying to figure out their songs by ear. That same Christmas, my brother also got me a copy of Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’. which I would consider essential listening for any young guitarist – although I know many who would disagree.

What have you been listening to this winter?

Bands such as Minor Threat, CKY, Misfits and a lot of podcasts. As a fan of punk music in general, I listen to many of its sub-genres, allowing room for both melodic, poppy stuff, and more aggressive, hardcore stuff. In terms of podcasts, I follow much of the ‘The Comedy Store’, California, acts, such as Bill Burr, Joey Diaz and Rick Ingraham.

Who is your favourite artist currently?

Always Ramones. Sometimes The Doors. Sometimes The Pogues… but always Ramones!

Give us the name of the last song you listened to?

‘Columbia’ by Oasis. I was always a casual Oasis fan growing up, but ever since Liam Gallagher’s massive comeback a few years ago, I’ve been listening to them a lot more.

What are your feel-good tunes?

An album called ‘How I Spent My Summer Vacation’ by The Bouncing Souls. It reminds me of when my best friend got his own student flat in Belfast for the first time, when we were 19. We sat in his, then, unfurnished living room, listening to it on repeat while drinking dangerous amounts of cider. Doesn’t sound too ‘feel-good’, but it really was. Fast forward to when I was 26, and my band played a festival in Slovenia with The Bouncing Souls, and they were one of the best live bands I have ever seen.

Which song has made you cry?

I’ve never been one to cry at music or film. I’m not trying to sound like a tough guy, and there are a few songs out there that hit me emotionally, I just can’t pinpoint a particular favourite. I guess it depends on the time, subject matter, and song.

Are there any songs you really dislike?

‘Wagon Wheel’. MANY people often tell me how great The Old Crow Medicine Show are, beyond that song, but the Irish country music scene has totally ruined it for me. It’s played out, and people often overreact and seem offended when I won’t sing it in bars.

What track/s do you always have on repeat?

I’ve been listening non-stop to the first two CKY albums. They were released in the early 2000s, and their music was heavily associated with the CKY skateboarding videos, and the Jackass television series/movies at the time. For me, those albums and films are extremely nostalgic, reminding me of some of the most exciting times in my childhood and teens.

Any guilty musical pleasures?

Andrew Lloyd Webber. The man is an incredible, well-respected composer, but it’s easy to consider his work a guilty pleasure because his musicals are often so over the top, in your face and cheesy. But they are also amazing!

Do you have a favourite lyric?

A simple line that always stuck with me was in a song called ‘The Body of an American’ by the Pogues, written by the one and only Shane MacGowan; a hero of mine who I’ve had the honour of meeting. He sings, “And as the sunset came to meet the evening on the hill, I told you I’d always love you. I always did; I always will”.

And finally… Give us the name of a brilliant, but underrated, song.

‘1916’ by Motorhead. Unlike their classic heavy metal sound, it’s a raw and emotional take on the gruesome reality of war. Definitely a potential answer for the previous ‘songs that make you cry’ question, with lyrics like “I heard my friend cry as he sank to his knees, coughing blood as he screamed for his mother”. That may sound brutal, but it’s a hauntingly beautiful song.

A little about you

I grew up, and still live, in Cookstown. I have been playing music since the age of 12. I sing and play acoustic sets in bars two-to-four nights a week, while working a full-time day job. I also play guitar in a punk rock band called No Matter. We are releasing our third album this year, and will be touring from March onwards to promote it in the UK, Europe and further afield, if all goes to plan. Since I joined the band in 2015, we have toured the UK and Europe on numerous occasions, and even got to play a few shows in Canada in 2019, as well as playing support to many international acts who we admired in our youth.

What is your age, and where are you from?

I’m 31, from Cookstown.

What is your occupation?

I work for Crown Paint by day, and sing ‘Wonderwall’ on repeat/request by night.

What are your hobbies?

Music has always been my hobby. I
find it hard to look upon it as a
‘real job’, even though I get paid to do it.

Aside from that, I am interested in music production, and, although I’m not particularly good at it, being in a band helps because I get to practice this
skill when we demo our song
ideas.

Tell us a fun or surprising fact about you that people may not know.

Technically, I’m not actually that good at all on guitar.

I have never taken singing lessons, and I have little to no understanding of music theory!

Despite this, I always believed that it is important to the make the most of your capabilities, so that’s all I’ve ever
done, and it has played out in my favour.

I still feel like I’m only getting started.