Multifaceted, genre-defying, singular, unique… you’ve probably encountered these terms used to describe every emerging band or artist making waves in today’s music scene. However, when it comes to Bricknasty, defining their essence requires more than just catchy phrases.
This five-member outfit from Ballymun, Dublin, is anchored by their mysterious frontman Fatboy, who leads the group’s inventive fusion of funk, neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop. He collaborates closely in the studio with producer and multi-instrumentalist Cillian McCauley, and together they shape the identity of Bricknasty. They defy expectations; their sounds and personalities are vibrant and eclectic. This unpredictability contributed to the acclaim garnered by their prior projects, ‘INA CRUELER’ and ‘XONGZ አስቀያሚ ጡብ,’ as their presence in the live music scene has flourished, performing alongside artists like Loyle Carner, Nas, Ezra Collective, and André 3000, in addition to making their debut at Glastonbury last year.
Their new release, ‘Black’s Law,’ roots the band more firmly in their origins. It incorporates elements of Irish traditional music, and explores themes of religion and political discontent in their homeland, featuring guest contributions from a local hero from their Ballymun neighborhood, all of which breathe life into the mixtape. The band reflects on the intense pressure they experienced during its creation, to the extent that two members left due to the strain. Nonetheless, their hard work (which can be seen quite literally in the mixtape’s artwork) on ‘Black’s Law’ has resulted in something remarkable.
Following their tour with Kneecap in September and with their own headline shows on the horizon, Fatboy, Cillian, and drummer Korey Thomson spoke to Clash about what this new chapter for Bricknasty entails...
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You recently bid farewell to two of your former bandmates while welcoming two new additions (Dara Abdurahman and Louis Younge took the places of Sam Healy and Chris LaMotte). How has the adjustment period been?
F: The lads worked hard but decided it was their time to move on. It was causing them stress – to be fair, it stresses us all out. We’ve brought in two young guys from Cork. They’re only 20, but they’re light years ahead of where we were at that age. It’s injected new energy into the group. The journey up the mountain can be uncertain; we can’t foresee how things will unfold in the weeks, months, or even years ahead. But with this new energy, it’s time to push these guys into gear.
In your latest biography, you mentioned an unease with last year’s “XONGZ” mixtape. What were the reasons behind this, and did any of that uncertainty carry into the creation of your new music?
F: We had certain expectations for how things would transpire after “XONGZ,” but we faced several disappointments during the campaign. However, there were no lingering doubts. This new project feels reminiscent of ‘INA CRUELER’ in that it seems like no one gives a damn about our music right now. Of course, our core fanbase remains, but we'll have to wait for the new mixtape's release to gauge the response – which was the same situation with 'INA CRUELER.' What we do know is that this new music represents the best we've ever produced.
Were there any changes in your creative process this time compared to before?
F: Cillian, do you want to address this? – You’re on mute, you silly twat.
C: For a while, we were creating music individually, then we went to Ard Mhaca to work together, and that’s where the new material really began to take shape.
I read that Fatboy believes some of your studio approaches are reminiscent of Quincy Jones, finding beauty in the chaos of his creative flow?
F: People are going to keep saying Cillian is like Quincy Jones – let’s put that to rest!
C: That needs to stop immediately.
F: What I meant was that many producers nowadays just create beats. Cillian does much more than that. He helps me get the takes, but he isn’t simply a beat-maker. But let’s end this Quincy Jones comparison once and for all.
K: Can you mention that Cillian claimed he is Quincy Jones? (laughs).
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Does ‘Black’s Law’ feel like a fresh start for Bricknasty?
F: Every project feels like a bit of a reset. We never aim to replicate our prior work. However, the band’s turmoil while finishing this project was definitely a first. The emotional, physical, and financial toll of completing the project really changed the band’s dynamic. It was chaotic, but that’s where we find ourselves now. We were
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Multifaceted, genre-defying, singular, and one-of-a-kind... you've probably encountered these terms applied to every emerging band or artist making waves in today's music scene.