GetMusic's artist spotlight features The Sentimental Tourists, sharing the story behind the music, the latest work, and what comes next.
Introduction & Background
Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
I am the guitarist with Dublin band The Sentimental Tourists. We formed in 2025, and it started as a collaboration between me, and singer Dave Long. Dave used to play with an amazing Dublin 90s band, Into Paradise. And I used to play with Whipping Boy -we released three albums, with our second album 'Heartworm' released on Columbia Records in 1995 our best known record. It wasn't successful when it was originally released, but seemed to gather a real cult following since then with bands like Fontaines DC and Gurriers citing it as an influence..
What's your musical origin story?
I started playing guitar after seeing Echo and the Bunnymen play a show in Dublin when I was a teenager -it was the most powerful, mesmerising thing I had ever seen. From that moment onwards, all I wanted to do was be in a band. A couple of years later, we formed Whipping Boy and we were very much influenced by bands like the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine in our early days.
What were the driving forces or pivotal moments that inspired you to pursue music?
I got to see so many great bands live in my teenage years -Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Jesus and Mary Chain, the Bunnymen. Seeing them live, the mystique and power of these bands; I just fell in love with it. I loved the idea than anybody can make music - it was one Punks greatest legacies...the idea that you could pick up a guitar, string a few chords together, make a lot of noise and create something powerful and inspirational. I loved that then, and I still love it now.
Musical Identity
How would you describe your style of music?
The sound of the Sentimental Tourists - it is definitely shaped to some degree by the music Dave and I made with our respective bands Into Paradise and Whipping Boy. The same sort of Post Punk influences - there is probably a more low-fi element to our sound. We record on a little portable 8 track, and try not to get hung up on chasing perfection. The best music has never been about perfection or sound quality - its always been about heart, and how a song makes you feel.
How is your personality reflected in your work?
As a guitarist, and as a person, I am not a 'showy' type - technically, I am not the greatest guitarist in the world. I have no interest in lengthy guitar solos...simple, melodic guitar runs, trying to create space and textured sounds that serve the song..that's what I try to do.
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
Dave is a brilliant songwriter -for our latest album, he would send me a song that he might have written on acoustic guitar. I would then add guitar parts, bass, and maybe some keys. For some of the songs on the album, I would have sent Dave the music, and he would then write the lyrics for it. We work quickly, no drama. We both live in different parts of the country so it is all done through sharing files from our little 8 track recorders!
Current Work
What is the name of your latest release?
Latest album is called 'Without Love We Expire' and it is available from https://thesentimentaltourists.bandcamp.com/ .
What was the inspiration for that release?
So I had stopped playing guitar for many years after my previous band broke up...I just fell out of love with music completely. Then early last year I got the urge to start playing again - I have no idea where that came from. Coincidentally, Dave contacted me and said he had this song and would I be interested in putting guitar on it..I said yes and from there things just snowballed. We just started writing together, released a number of EPs and now the album, that just came out in May.
What challenges or unexpected moments did you encounter during the writing/recording process?
Honestly, it's been easy writing and working with Dave - we just seem to have a similar style and approach to writing songs. The biggest challenge has been the rudimentary recording equipment we have at our disposal - we both hate using DAWS so have invested in these little portable Boss digital 8 tracks. That does impose limitations, but sometimes limitations can be good when making music.
Promotion & Engagement
What strategies do you find most effective for promoting your music?
We both have some social media presence and a following from our previous bands, so that has proven to be the best way of getting the music out there. We have found it difficult getting coverage in the mainstream music press, even in Ireland, where our previous bands would have been better known. That's been challenging, but we don't really care that much. We are happy just making music again - it will find its audience, however big or small that might be.
How do you engage with your fans online and offline?
Bandcamp is good for that. We held a listening party for the release of our album. We offer exclusive tracks through there too. And we did a limited release of the album on CD which included a handwritten numbered lyric sheet and a pin badge. Putting together a nice package, and making it a little more personal is the best way for us to connect with an audience, when we cannot sell our records through record stores, and don't really get so much mainstream coverage.
What upcoming promotional activities or releases are you most excited about?
Playing our first gig ever in Dublin on Halloween night! Excited and a little apprehensive about that one.
How can folks contact you?
Twitter: @SentimentalTs
Email: sentimentaltourists@gmail.com
Bandcamp: https://thesentimentaltourists.bandcamp.com/
