Album Notes

The Voodoo Loons are a constantly evolving sound, combining folkish lyrics with a punkish edge, psychedelic headiness with primal funky groove. The press has compared them to groups as diverse as Flaming Lips, Zappa, the Waterboys, Stones, and Sonic Youth, among others. Prior to their new album, Euphobia, released in December 2007, the Loons had achieved an unprecedented level of interest via compilations and the music they offer online, especially in the UK and throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and the US. The growing base is additionally impressive considering the band gigs rarely (by design), choosing to do periodic festival and warehouse appearances over the usual bar-to-bar routine.

Most of the writing is done by O'Hagan, a dual citizen (U.S./Ireland) who's writing reflects both homefronts. The new material draws from a variety of genres and influences, combining personal and sometimes politically pointed lyrics with music that wanders from psychedelic improvisation to raw punkish abrasiveness (reflected more in their shows than on the current recordings). The result is an iconoclastic sound that is it's own.

Voodoo Loons were formed in 2005 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dennis O'Hagan. O'Hagan, who bounces between his two homelands, had a collection of demos that were getting a lot of attention online and contacted old school friend and session drummer Bill McCarthy about putting a band together. McCarthy suggested local workhorse Chris Hooks for bass, and a band was born. The three immediately started preparing to record some of O'Hagan's material, and in the process a wealth of new songs emerged. In the Fall of 2006 the Loons took to the stage for the first time at the U.S.’ MidPoint Music Festival, where their set commenced in legendary fashion… O'Hagan's amp caught fire during the first song. Thanks to a backup amp the set continued and went on to earn rave reviews, and the trio knew they had a winner. Around this time the album was delayed by a family illness, but by Spring 2007 the band was back in fighting shape and spent most of the Summer and Fall at Middleground Studios. The result was the release of Voodoo Loons' debut album “Euphobia” in December 2007, which immediately received critical acclaim. The album draws deeply from O'Hagan's American and Irish influences, and features guests mandolin virtuoso Mark Daly and pianist Michael Sokolowski on several tracks. The band is currently working on new songs for their follow-up, and plans to spend much of 2009 playing select music festivals and shows to their rapidly growing European and American following.