Irish singer-songwriter, composer, filmmaker and author Sean MacLeod‘s creative compass has always pointed towards melody as a destination. From his early years as a founding member of Dublin band Cisco to an expansive solo career spanning multiple albums and countless singles, his creative path has been shaped by exploration as much as songwriting. By not remaining within one defined musical space, Sean has continually allowed his work to stretch into new musical areas, combining classic songwriting stylings with folk, rock, classical and avant-garde influences.
His musical story first gathered momentum with Cisco, the Dublin outfit that brought his songwriting to a wider audience. The band recorded with Paul Barrett, who had previously worked as a producer for U2, while their debut album No 1 received critical acclaim and attracted attention both in Ireland and beyond. When Cisco eventually parted ways, Sean treated the conclusion of the band not as a full stop but as an opportunity to follow his own creative vision.
That decision has since produced a substantial body of original work, informed by the harmonic qualities of the 60s and the enduring influence of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Motown. Yet nostalgia is only one part of his musical vocabulary; folk and classical touches frequently sit alongside more adventurous experimentation, while his compositions use melody as a gateway into ideas concerning society, philosophy and the human experience.
His songs can initially reveal themselves through bright, accessible melodies, only to uncover more complex questions underneath. Love, alienation, identity, transformation and the search for meaning become subjects that can be explored while always keeping sight of the emotional pull of a strong song. Now Sean brings us his fifth solo album titled Thatâs When the Earth Becomes a Star, a record which brings together indie pop, folk and experimental music while moving between intimate reflection and expansive ideas.
Its songs examine perception and identity, exploring isolation, technology, consumerism and the search for meaning in an increasingly disconnected world. The albumâs title distils its interest with perspective, with Thatâs When the Earth Becomes a Star suggesting a moment when something familiar suddenly appears differently, as though a shift in perception can illuminate the world in an entirely new way. It’s an idea that extends across Sean’s wider creative practice, which moves between music, literature and film.
Opening with “Take Control (Don’t Let ‘Em),” the bright plucks of guitar and pattering drums usher in Sean’s compelling vocal leads as he spins memorable melodies above stretched backing vocal textures, resulting in a stunning pop rock jam. Sean is also the author of books examining the girl groups of the 60s, Phil Spector and The Beatles and holds a PhD in Music Composition (Practice-as-Research) from the University of Limerick. His research contributed to the original docudrama When the Earth Becomes a Star, while the experimental companion record We Donât See That We Donât See explores related ideas through tuning, timbre, instrumentation and the nature of listening itself.
Where that companion project asks questions about how we hear, Thatâs When the Earth Becomes a Star turns those questions towards perception and feeling. The albumâs latest single, âInside Out (Radio Edit),â brings that conceptual world into a more energising indie rock setting. Brooding guitars and a steady rock groove introduce the track before pulsing bass, marching rhythms and lightly gritty guitar textures propel Sean’s smooth vocals forward. The chorus introduces a brighter power pop edge, while flashes of organ add further colour to the arrangement. Within its catchy hooks and melodic appeal however, sits a meditation on modern identity and the pressures of contemporary life.
Title track “When the Earth Becomes a Star” drifts into focus with the swell of instrumental tones before the strike of drums, stab of guitar chords and Sean’s expressive vocals enter to set up a rousing indie rock anthem brimming with engaging melodies and punchy rhythm. “Illuminate” pairs rustling percussion, intricate guitars and buzzy synth elements capped by by infectious vocal leads while “We’re Not Afraid Anymore” rolls with shuffling drums and grooving arrangement as Sean’s enticing vocals ring out above.
Closing the album with “Goodbye,” the elegant blend of soft key tones and hushed vocals craft an intimate soundscape that delicately builds with muted percussion, warm bass tones and cinematic instrumentation, forming a dazzling finale to Sean’s superb new album. We caught up with Sean MacLeod to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new album That’s When the Earth Becomes a Star and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Sean MacLeod below.
Whatâs your earliest memory of making music?
I was sent to piano lessons when I was 7 which I didn’t much like. Actually, I hated them I just wanted to play football at 7. Making music, however, was probably when I was about 14 when I formed a band and started writing songs. I always wanted to write my own music rather than play other people’s music.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?
Mostly 60s artists like The Beatles, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and a lot of classical musicians. I did eventually got to like the piano when I was about 17 and spent a many hours studying classical music. So I think a lot of that music influences my own
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Real life experiences, books and films. I like to write a lot about cultural and social events and how they effect our lives.
What do you love about the Irish music scene?
I don’t really pay much attention to any particular scene I just really write and record my songs and I don’t pay much attention to what else is going on in that regards.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
I hope people enjoy the music anytime anyplace. But Possibly lying in bed at night in the dark just before going to sleep.
How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?
Hopefully, the songs have gotten better. I don’t really do anything thing different than I’ve always done. As long as the chorus is catchy I don’t look for much more. At times I try to incorporate different ideas that I may have come across like adding drones from early classical or Indian music, or more recently I have been exploring microtonal music which has found its way into some of the songs on the new album.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
Anyone who turns up and wants to play music.
How did you find making your new album âThat’s When the Earth Become a Starâ?
Writing the songs was rather straight forward. I think most of the songs came more or less fully formed over a couple of months or so. But the recording took actually about 3 years. I just couldn’t get the songs to gel. I had actually wrote and recorded another album ( due for release next year) before I finished this one. Although there are still a lot of parts to this album which are a little low-fi I think it finally came together.
What message did you want to get across with this release?
The songs do deal with a lot of philosophical and social themes so I think lyrically the songs explore questions about life, and society particularly in relation to technology and how it affects society. But ultimately, for me its about catchy songs and that’s really the centre of the album. Songs to sing a long to.
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
Actually I’ve been listening to a lot of early 80s bands recently- Generation X, Blondie, The Only Ones.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival?
I don’t really like festivals. I prefer smaller venues where there is a much more immediate connection with the music. Any good live band but I would have loved to see The Specials live because their sound is so visceral. Possibly, The Police too for the same reason.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
If someone wants to make music or write songs then the only advice is to do it and don’t worry if anyone likes it or not just keep doing it . That’s all you can do.
Finally, what do you have lined up next?
After promoting this album I have another album ‘Magic’ out in 2027.
Listen to That’s When the Earth Becomes a Star below
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