INHALER: INTERVIEW


by emma schoors

photo by dan kenny

photo by dan kenny

When Inhaler first put pen to paper on It Won’t Always Be Like This years ago, there was no way to predict how punctual the words would become. Still, the band latched onto its timelessness, and the title track of their knockout debut album was born. Bright, loud, and unashamed, tracks like “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House)” and “Cheer Up Baby” are pops of thrashing color, while “My Honest Face” and “In My Sleep” make way for weighty bass lines and introspective lyrics. A hunger for live music has earned the Dublin-based band sold-out shows around the UK and US — we had the chance to talk to them all about it.

Did you all grow up around similar music, or are there varying musical backgrounds within the band?

EH: “We’ve got a lot of different inspirations. I think we kind of look at it as a Venn diagram of The Stone Roses, and Oasis, and Joy Division in the middle, and then we’ve got all these different little branches. The lads are really into rap and all that. I am as well, but I’m now in a Bob Dylan phase of my life whereas they’re in techno, so it’s an interesting little combination. I think we take that in our stride and we definitely try to replicate it in our music.”

What song from the album went through the most changes before reaching its final form?

RK: “That is a good question. I’m just trying to think of what the answer is.”

JJ: “‘Cheer Up Baby’ took the longest to get right. We were recording that for a long time.”

EH: “A really long time. Also, because it was kind of the most simply formed, and one of the oldest tunes, so I think we were second guessing ourselves a lot about it. We just made so many different versions of it, and in the end just ended up with something that was really similar to what we first came up with, and it worked, you know? I think you often do that when you have a lot of time in the studio just to experiment.”

How did it feel to hear the finished album for the first time?

RK: “I was going to say it’s hard to put it into words, but that actually wasn’t what I was going to say. I was going to say I can’t really remember when that was. I think we had a listen to it the day after it came out, maybe? Lads, I can’t remember. For the Jack Saunders thing, maybe? That was a good moment, where we all kind of enjoyed the album for the first time and we all sang the songs and stuff. There’s just a lot of hard work put into it, so I think it was just very rewarding. It’s nice to have something that you can kind of see after putting in a lot of work and seeing a result throughout the week of when it came out. Still, today, with people sharing it and enjoying the songs.”

What are you most proud of as a band?

EH: “This album, I think. But then often there’s times when we are driving home after a gig, where we just kind of turn to each other and go, ‘This is really nuts, what’s happening.’ So all those moments, you kind of just have that real proud thing. I think most of the time we’re just too focused on what we have to do next. We don’t really stop and think about it. When you do get a chance to, it’s pretty amazing.”

 

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'WHO'S YOUR MONEY ON? (PLASTIC HOUSE)' / INHALER: REVIEW


by emma schoors

IMG_1463D6453BAE-1.jpeg

Inhaler’s “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House)” is the band’s most unforgettable endeavor yet. 

The first glimpse of the new single came in the form of an October 2020 Instagram post. “Energy levels are high in @narcissus.studio this evening,” the band wrote. The accompanying video featured bassist Robert Keating playing an upbeat groove atop a short snippet of the track. 

It was unclear exactly how or when the song would appear next, but that piercing bass line lingered in many followers’ minds. “This song is stuck in my head,” one commenter mentioned, with many similar, positive sentiments decorating the post. While the track brewed in listener’s minds and ears, the band pumped out two more incredible singles: “When It Breaks” and “Cheer Up Baby.” Now that summer is finally approaching, the mood surrounding their latest single is all the more fitting.

Produced by Antony Genn, the song is atmospherically bright, and shows just how far the band has progressed musically in such a relatively short amount of time. Keating’s aforementioned bass line mixes beautifully with drummer Ryan McMahon’s insistent groove and guitarist Josh Jenkinson’s summery lead parts. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Elijah Hewson’s vocals are unfailingly confident, but it’s the lyrics that hit especially hard.

“We've got everything to lose,

And everything to play for.”

Inhaler is on the brink of something inarguably huge, and “Who’s Your Money On? (Plastic House)” is a flawless segue way to this new chapter in their career.

 

'CHEER UP BABY' / INHALER: REVIEW


by emma schoors

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Cheer Up Baby” feels like driving fast on a warm summer night, with nothing but the absolute sanctity of the moment in mind.

Inhaler is back with their first single since last October, and it’s one that’s been highly anticipated by devoted fans of the band. “Cheer Up Baby” has already carved its way deep into many fans hearts, and the release of a studio version is just a further cementing of that. 

Drummer Ryan McMahon cuts in sharply soon after the song’s start, and keeps listeners engaged with fitting, unique fills. In the bridge, this is met by bassist Robert Keating’s unmistakable, weighty bass lines. Both musicians have signature playing styles, yet it’s clear that they’re upping their game with every song, and finding themselves as musicians in the process.

Josh Jenkinson’s lead guitar parts are crisp and tight, but maintain a beautiful melodic nature. 

Imaginative riffs are part of what make him an absolutely vital creative force in the band. These sources of melody are paired well with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Elijah Hewson’s phenomenal vocals. With unbelievably strong voice control and an enchanting, demanding stage presence, Hewson is a charming lead in the band.

Inhaler has been rising rapidly in popularity in the past year, and these past couples of weeks have seen their follower count rising especially dramatically. If there was ever a time to check their music out, the time is now, and “Cheer Up Baby” is an outstanding place to start.