Villagers are an Irish indie folk band and the musical project of singer-songwriter Conor J. O'Brien, based in Dublin, Ireland. The band is widely known for O'Brien's production, arrangements, and lyrics, and releases material via Domino Recording Co.
Background
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | Indie folk, alternative, chamber pop |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Domino Records, Any Other City (2008–2009) |
| Members | Conor O'Brien, Danny Snow, Brendan Jenkinson, Kenny Corcoran, Brendan Doherty |
| Past members | Cormac Curran, Marcus Hamblett, Gwion Llewelyn, Mali Llywelyn, Tommy McLaughlin, James Byrne, Richie Egan |
| Website | www.wearevillagers.com |
History
Conor O'Brien formed Villagers after the break-up of his previous band, The Immediate. The day after the breakup, O'Brien wrote the first Villagers song. His time as a guitarist in Cathy Davey's band was also critical to the development of his style. Villagers gave their first live performance as a support act at Whelan's in Dublin in November 2008.
The band's debut EP, Hollow Kind, was released in February 2009, drawing comparisons with Bright Eyes and Sparklehorse. Villagers went on to support Neil Young and toured across Europe with Tracy Chapman. They performed at several festivals in 2009, including Oxegen, Electric Picnic, and Latitude Festival.
Villagers first came to prominence in 2010 with the release of their debut album, Becoming a Jackal. Released to critical acclaim, the album was shortlisted for the 2010 Mercury Prize and the Choice Music Prize. It debuted at number one on both the Irish Albums Chart and the Irish Indie Albums Chart. On 13 April 2010, Villagers appeared on Later... with Jools Holland on BBC Two.
Their second studio album, {Awayland}, was released in 2013. It won the Choice Music Prize that year and was also shortlisted for the 2013 Mercury Prize. In 2015, O'Brien released the third album, Darling Arithmetic, which was written, recorded, produced, and mixed by O'Brien at his home, with him playing all instruments. In May 2016, Darling Arithmetic won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Album.
Where Have You Been All My Life?—a compilation of live reworkings of the band's best-known tracks—followed in 2016. The Art of Pretending to Swim was released in September 2018. Villagers' fifth studio album, Fever Dreams, was released on 20 August 2021 and featured highly in several Albums of the Year lists, including a top 10 placement in Mojo and number 1 in Hot Press, The Irish Times, and the Irish Independent.
The band's sixth studio album, That Golden Time, was released on 10 May 2024. In September 2024, a book titled Passing a Message: the lyrics and artwork of Conor J. O'Brien for the music of Villagers was published by Faber Music.
Style
O'Brien is noted for his dark lyrics—described by The Guardian as conveying "an eerie sense of disquiet." The New York Times' Jon Pareles compared the band to The Frames, U2, and Leonard Cohen after witnessing a live performance in New York City in 2010.
Discography
Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Becoming a Jackal | Domino |
| 2013 | {Awayland} | Domino |
| 2015 | Darling Arithmetic | Domino |
| 2018 | The Art of Pretending to Swim | Domino |
| 2021 | Fever Dreams | Domino |
| 2024 | That Golden Time | Domino |
Live Album
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Where Have You Been All My Life? |
EPs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Hollow Kind |
| 2019 | The Sunday Walker |
Honours and Awards
Villagers are the only act from Ireland to have been signed by Domino Records. They have received multiple award nominations and wins:
- Mercury Prize: Becoming a Jackal (nominated, 2010); {Awayland} (nominated, 2013)
- Choice Music Prize: {Awayland} (won, 2013); Becoming a Jackal (nominated, 2011); Darling Arithmetic (nominated, 2015); The Art of Pretending to Swim (nominated, 2018); Fever Dreams (nominated, 2021)
- Ivor Novello Awards: "Becoming a Jackal" – Best Song Musically and Lyrically (won, 2011); Darling Arithmetic – Best Album (won, 2016)
