Irish band Fonatines D.C. are taking the music industry by storm with four studio albums under their belt and with a brand new single just released.
You’ve definitely heard of them, even if you don’t think you have!
But who are Fontaines D.C.?
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Who are Fontaines D.C.?
The band formed back in 2014 in Dublin with five members Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III, Tom Coll and Carlos O’Connell.
The five men met while they were all attending BIMM music college in Dublin City and bonded over their shared love for poetry and pubs.
The band formed their name based off a character in the first Godfather, Jonny Fontanes, and where they met, D.C. Dublin city. Although the group formed in Dublin they are from all different parts of Ireland.
Tom Coll and Conor Deegan are from Castlebar in Co. Mayo, Conor Curley is from Emyvale in Co. Monaghan, and Carlos O’Connell grew up in Madrid in Spain. Lead singer Grian Chatten was born in Barrow-in-Furness in England but eventually resided in Skerries Co. Dublin.
What music do they make?
The band’s style is an alternative, post-punk and poetic take on music. Their songs explore themes of love, heartbreak and the beauty and flaws of our country.
Throughout their songs, the band makes reference to certain areas, landmarks and people around Ireland. Although they portray a romanticised version of Ireland they simultaneously highlight the absurdities and negative aspects of the country we’re living in.
With Grian Chatten’s strong Dublin accent within the vocals, the band’s poetic lyricism and abstract music their songs are incredibly unique.
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Where did Fontaines D.C.’s career begin?
The band released their debut single ‘Liberty Belle’ in 2017 which gained them a huge local following. The song makes reference to the inner city working class area of the Liberties.
It wasn’t until November 2018 when the band were finally signed with Partisan Records. Fonatine’s then toured the UK as a supporting act for band Shame.
The band had released a few singles before getting signed and in 2019 finally released their first studio album Dogrel which contained 11 tracks and was nominated for Album of The Year at the Choice Music Prize and Mercury Prize in 2019.
Fontaine’s then toured during spring of 2019 as a supporting act for band IDLES. Soon after that tour the band performed at multiple music festivals around Europe during the summer of 2019 including Glastonbury and Roskilde. The band then toured North America during autumn in 2019 as a headlining act and proceeded to carry out a headlining tour around Europe which ended in February 2020.
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What other music have they released?
Fontaine’s took no breaks between touring and their first and second studio album A Hero’s Death which was released less than eighteen months after Dogrel in 2020.
The album contains 11 tracks and was a huge success debuting at number two in the UK and was nominated for many awards including Best Rock Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards and Album of the Year at the 2020 Choice Music Awards.
In 2022 Fontaines staggered the release of four singles teasing their upcoming third studio album Skinty Fia. It was after the release of their song ‘I Love You’ that the band started to get a wider range of recognition all over Ireland and the UK. The song went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok and introduced a new audience to the talented band.
Many resonated with the song in different ways whether they were in love or suffering from a heartbreak. Although the song can be interpreted in many ways, the songs true meaning is an ode to Ireland. ‘I Love You’ is Fontaine’s first distinctly political song.
The song explores the love for the beauty and culture Ireland has to offer but also the frustrations and anger towards the countries current unjust political state.
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What is Fontaines D.C.’s biggest album?
Skinty Fia was Fontaine’s first number one album in Ireland and the UK and also reached high in the charts in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland.
Skinty Fia gave the band their first win for the Brit Award for International Group in 2023 and a nomination for Album of The Year at the Choice Music Prize in 2022. After the release, the band embarked on a national tour across the UK and Ireland.
Fast forward to April 2024, Fontaines released a new single titled ‘Starburster’, the first single to their fourth studio album Romance. Fans instantly fell in love with the new single and with the other three that followed.
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What are they up to now?
The album was finally released in August of 2024 with 11 tracks. The album allowed us to hear a new side to Fonatine’s with more of a melodic pop approach. Romance gave the band a new sense of sophistication and allowed the listener to follow a journey of emotions with each track unfolding.
The album debuted at number two in the UK charts right behind Sabrina Carpenter’s Short and Sweet and also received two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Alternative Music Performance. One of the tracks on the album ‘Bug’ has also been used in the Irish movie Bird starring Barry Keoghan.
The band’s guitarist Carlos O’Connell also made his film debut in the movie and performed a song towards the end. The band have followed the success of Romance with their largest tour yet covering areas like the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Most recently we’ve seen the release of the bands single ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ . Thankfully Fontaines don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. We can’t wait to see what masterpiece they’ll have for us next!
