My cousin Ciarán introduced me to Phoenix. I was 18. It was a strange time. I think I was mad depressed for a period of time after Christmas but it turned into the really good period that ran up until the middle of the summer at least. I was really happy and super focused. I had my leaving cert and I really fucking killed it. I got really into maths at that time. I think because I found it the easiest thing to study. It was right or wrong, very objective.

When I studied I’d lock myself in the room for hours and I would listen to the four Phoenix albums that were out at that time back to back in chronological order. It was like a meditative thing where the music blocked out everything else.

That coincided with when I started going out for the first time. People were turning 18 so there were lots of parties. People’s parents would leave them home alone so there was free gaffs.

“1901” is the song that links both elements of life. It was a great mood lift when studying. It’s energetic and fun. It’s the kind of song that could act as a break from study, to shake it all out and come back focused. It’s also a great indie dance banger of the time. It’s a frantic wiggle. The drums are that perfect late 2000s/ early 2010s punchy indie dance sound. The synths are just a massive wall of noise and the guitars are clangy highlights to the whole piece. I love French singers singing in English because of Phoenix. I’m not sure exactly what it is that made me like lead singer, Thomas Mars’ voice in the first place but it’s now a quality that I like about other bands or singers so it’s obviously deep in my little brain.

“1901” is such a perfect song for that time that it will always be one of my favourites.

You can listen to “1901” by Phoenix here.