HOW TO PRONOUNCE MA-THÚ-IN, FROM OLD IRISH MATHGAMAIN (“BEAR”)
Mathúin is one of the many projects Shayne (Byrne: producer / Ragged Company Recordings owner) is involved in.
It started life as an experiment; based around improvisation and audio manipulation.
Instead of using standard presets, Mathúin reimagines “found sounds” recorded outside of the studio, fueling a more organic approach to the music.
Initial ideas start with textured layer. Organically moving to working off instinct, letting go and ultimately allowing the sound run wild. It is in this method that ‘songwriting' & sound design become one and the same. Where melodies form the interplay of sounds and their capabilities and/or limitations. It is these sounds that lead Mathúin’s “Nemed” EP and the long form ambient single “Petrichor”, released in May 2022.
This new chapter of tunes from Mathúin comes from a more traditional way of writing. Starting with some chords on a Prophet; or a Baseline on the trusty Hofner, putting down drums and building out the arrangement; only to tear it all down and rebuild it up again.
The music takes its final exploration when it is sent to a vocalist to see what direction their lyric might take the music.