While at the Oxegen music festival in 2007, friends Shane, Joe, and Callum decided they wanted to be on stage, not in front of it, and thus Bipolar Empire was born! They approached Mark Maguire, a talented guitarist, songwriter, and longtime friend - and Bipolar Empire became a quartet.
Their folk-infused rock ’n’ roll sound and tight stage performances swiftly began to win fans - and as the live shows developed so did their fanbase. Last year, the band were fortunate enough to win a Hot Press competition to find an unsigned band to play the 2010 St Patrick’s Day festival in Trafalgar Square alongside Kila, John Spillane, and The Coronas. The boys wowed the massive London crowd and the prestigious slot winning them lots of UK fans! They then went on to perform at Oxegen, a dream come true, playing to a packed out 2FM Hot Press Academy Stage. Driven by the momentum of a fantastic summer, the band finished recording their debut album, co-produced by legendary Pat McCarthy (REM, Madonna, U2, Counting Crows ) and Lance Hogan (music producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with some of the industry’s top names: U2, Sinead O’Connor, Kíla, Dead Can Dance, Horslips, The Dubliners ).
The first single to be taken from their debut album ‘Feel That You Own It’ was the outrageously catchy track Tempomanic. It was released in October 2010 and was quickly chosen to be the soundtrack to RTE 2FM’s TV and radio campaign.
At a packed gig in The Workman’s Club in Dublin in March of this year the band surprised the audience with a very special treat – Muse bassist Chris Wostenholme joined the band onstage for two songs!
The second single and title track from the album, Feel That You Own It’, was released in April of 2011. The band scored another coup. The video features world boxing champion Katie Taylor and was directed by legendary videomaker Kevin Godley (U2, Blur, Snow Patrol ). The video has had nearly 50,000 views on youtube so far.
Their debut album hit the shelves on April 29 and features 11 tracks brimming with pounding beats, thumping basslines, soaring guitars, and the unmistakable voice of Shane O’Reilly.
The band have been working hard all summer, playing festivals all over the country, and also being asked to play at the London Feis alongside musical heroes Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Christy Moore, and Horslips, to name a few!
Crowd favourite ‘Trip Around The World’ was the third single to be taken from the album and was released on July 8 - the eve of their second Oxegen performance! The band took to the 2FM Hot Press stage again to a happy crowd of revellers, singing their songs back to them!
This band are one to watch - but don’t just take our word for it...check them out this Saturday July 23 in The Stables.
Bipolar Empire play The Stables, Mullingar on Saturday July 23 with guests Ricotta. Doors open at 9pm and tickets are €7.
