Kormac

Championed by everyone from Annie Mac to DJ Yoda, Kormac started out as out as a hip-hop scratch DJ and MPC beat-maker.

Kormac
Background information
Birth nameCormac O'Halloran
Also known asKormac, DJ Kormac
OriginDublin, Ireland
GenresHouse, jazz, electronic
Years active2007–present
LabelsBodytonic, Scribble Records
Websitedjkormac.com

He has matured into an artist who brings a totally unique approach to his art, twisting samples and meticulous recordings of acoustic instruments into something entirely unique.

His latest project, Equivalent Exchange, saw him write a full suite of material for an orchestra and a host of collaborators including Loah, Eimear Noone, Jack O’ Rourke and Stephen James Smith while working with acclaimed artist, Maser, on artwork and show visuals. They performed the material to a sold out Vicar Street in March 2018. [Watch RTE’s coverage of the night here]

While making his last album, Doortspes, he literally showed up at the doors of legendary author, Irvine Welsh, Mercury Music Prize Winner, Speech Debelle, Texan legend, Micah P. Hinson and a host of others to collaborate and produce a record that sounds like nothing else.

He’s well known for his daring live shows. Sometimes he performs with a full ensemble, Kormac’s Big Band (brass, strings, drums, electronics, bass, guitar and guest vocalists.) For club shows, he brings his studio set up, a drummer and a massive LED wall showing bespoke visuals for alternative takes on his own material.

The world has taken notice. His last album got him nominated for the Meteor choice music prize. He’s played festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival, Electric Picnic, Sonar and toured the UK, Europe, Eastern Europe, Australia and Canada alongside luminaries Portishead, Nas, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Snarky Puppy and a host of others.Current streaming figures are estimated to be in excess of 30 million.

He is currently writing the soundtracks for two multi-episodic TV series and recording his next album.

Early life

After learning guitar at the age of twelve, O'Halloran began sampling French and German tapes from his school, making demos on a 4-track recorder. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin's Music and Media Technology Masters programme in 2004.[1] He is a former member of Irish alternative/experimental group, 8Ball.

Career

Kormac released his first solo record, "The Scratch Marchin' EP" in 2007 via Scribble Records.[2] The record fused heavily processed, obscure jazz samples with his own recordings.[3] He subsequently made several DJ appearances.

He followed with the "Good Lord EP" in 2008, this time using early Gospel music recordings for source material and inspiration.[4]

With a background in playing in bands and performing live, Kormac began to recreate his music live on stage with a group of musicians (bass, drums, brass, vocalists, guitars, electronics) and VJs. Kormac's Big Band performed their first full show at the Electric Picnic Festival in 2008.

Kormac released his first LP record, "Word Play", in 2010.[5] The record featured collaborations with DJ Yoda, DJ Cheeba, MC Little Tree, Messiah J & The Expert and Koaste.[5] The album featured the track, "Wash My Hands", which was used in several international ad campaigns and was licensed to several compilations.[6][7][8]

He later toured in the UK, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, Canada and Africa.

Kormac released "Doorsteps" in 2014 on Bodytonic Records.[9] A largely collaborative affair, it took nearly two years to complete. Kormac visited the homes of Scottish author Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting, Filth, Acid House), Texan singer/songwriter Micah P. Hinson, Mercury Music Prize winner, Speech Debelle, Koaste, MC Little Tree and Bajka.[10]

The lead single, "Wake Up", was nominated for a Meteor Choice Music prize award.[11] Kormac's Big Band played sold-out shows in Ireland, the UK, Australia and Europe to support the release.

He was commissioned by Jameson and Nissan to make tracks using only sounds he recorded at their premeses in Dublin and Cork.[12]

Discography

"Doorsteps" (album)

  • Released: 17 October 2014
  • Label: Bodytonic
  • Singles: "Superhero (ft. Irvine Welsh and MC Little Tree)", "Wake Up"

"Word Play" (album)

  • Released: 26 April 2010
  • Label: Scribble Records
  • Singles: "Wash My Hands"

"Show Time" (EP)

  • Released: 11 May 2009
  • Label: Scribble Records

"Good Lord" (EP)

  • Released: 7 April 2008
  • Label: Scribble Records

"Scratch Marchin'" (EP)

  • Released: 26 March 2007
  • Label: Scribble Records
  1. "Interview with DJ Kormac". Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  2. "Kormac – Scratch Marchin' EP". discogs. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  3. "KORMAC – Scratch Marchin' (12" EP)". Stop Me If You Think You\'ve Heard This One Before. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  4. "Kormac – Good Lord EP". discogs. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  5. "Kormac – Word Play". discogs. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  6. "O2 CZ Ad" – via YouTube.
  7. "Hyundai Ad" – via YouTube.
  8. "Hyundai Solaris" – via YouTube.
  9. "Kormac – Doorsteps". discogs. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  10. "We spoke to writer Irvine Welsh and producer Kormac about their new collaboration 'Another Screen' | NOISEY". NOISEY. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  11. "The Irish Song of the Year nominees for the Meteor Choice Music Prize have been revealed | JOE.ie". JOE.ie. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  12. "All about DJ Kormac". djkormac.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015. He is currently writing the soundtracks for two multi-episodic TV series and recording his next album.
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