Unquiet Nights

Belfast trio Unquiet Nights pack a powerful punch on their debut album, full of sophisticated sounds and storytelling.

A couple of weeks ago I had an affirming surprise when a long trusted source linked me to a stream of “21st Century Redemption Songs”, the debut album by the Belfast band Unquiet Nights.

Already the auto-suggestion of the album title prepared me for a band with solid grounding in the rootsier elements of the musical spectrum, and probably an affinity for the rebellious, socially aware conscience by which modern Rock music evolved out of Folk, Gospel and Blues. Even though the overall sound of the album is more modern than I might’ve expected, I wasn’t disappointed with that first impulse. The economy of the arrangement shifts maximum focus on the songs themselves, with very little in the way of indulgence or distraction.

It would’ve been a mistake to form my opinion on the album’s lacerating opening cut – “Burning The Tracks”. A fiery opener and no doubt effective in it’s aim to announce the band’s arrival on radio, it doesn’t quite hint at the sophistication to be found as the album unfolds. From “Triggerfinger”, a song about a vengeful gunslinger to the arresting narrative of the album’s closer “Letter From Abroad”, the storytelling is rich in texture and substance. “Someone’s Love on Drugs” seems to be altogether more autobiographical, and one that I feel I will continue to revisit and reinterpret in search of further meaning. That’s not something I’ve been able to say about younger bands a lot, in honesty.


With only three members listed on the album’s liner notes, Unquiet Nights are a lean unit able to pack a powerful punch when called on for louder numbers like “Shoulda Said Something” and “We Were The Ones”. Both of these seem to have gained the band welcome national exposure (Radio 1 and Absolute Radio to name only two).

On the second or third repeat of the album, tracks like the more nuanced “Silent Picture Show” began to unveil themselves and reward my indulgence. Built on a bed of layered guitar “textures”, with lyrical lead guitar phrases delivering exactly when needed, it’s an evocative listen and dare I say a genuinely original sound?

Amongst the hundreds of new and under the radar bands that I pore over weekly, as a collection of songs it’s maybe as strong as any of them I’ve heard. On that basis alone I hope they keep releasing music and evolving, and if they do I can only see their star rising.
- Louder Than War

Belfast trio Unquiet Nights pack a powerful punch on their debut album, full of sophisticated sounds and storytelling.

A couple of weeks ago I had an affirming surprise when a long trusted source linked me to a stream of “21st Century Redemption Songs”, the debut album by the Belfast band Unquiet Nights.

Already the auto-suggestion of the album title prepared me for a band with solid grounding in the rootsier elements of the musical spectrum, and probably an affinity for the rebellious, socially aware conscience by which modern Rock music evolved out of Folk, Gospel and Blues. Even though the overall sound of the album is more modern than I might’ve expected, I wasn’t disappointed with that first impulse. The economy of the arrangement shifts maximum focus on the songs themselves, with very little in the way of indulgence or distraction.

It would’ve been a mistake to form my opinion on the album’s lacerating opening cut – “Burning The Tracks”. A fiery opener and no doubt effective in it’s aim to announce the band’s arrival on radio, it doesn’t quite hint at the sophistication to be found as the album unfolds. From “Triggerfinger”, a song about a vengeful gunslinger to the arresting narrative of the album’s closer “Letter From Abroad”, the storytelling is rich in texture and substance. “Someone’s Love on Drugs” seems to be altogether more autobiographical, and one that I feel I will continue to revisit and reinterpret in search of further meaning. That’s not something I’ve been able to say about younger bands a lot, in honesty.


With only three members listed on the album’s liner notes, Unquiet Nights are a lean unit able to pack a powerful punch when called on for louder numbers like “Shoulda Said Something” and “We Were The Ones”. Both of these seem to have gained the band welcome national exposure (Radio 1 and Absolute Radio to name only two).

On the second or third repeat of the album, tracks like the more nuanced “Silent Picture Show” began to unveil themselves and reward my indulgence. Built on a bed of layered guitar “textures”, with lyrical lead guitar phrases delivering exactly when needed, it’s an evocative listen and dare I say a genuinely original sound?

Amongst the hundreds of new and under the radar bands that I pore over weekly, as a collection of songs it’s maybe as strong as any of them I’ve heard. On that basis alone I hope they keep releasing music and evolving, and if they do I can only see their star rising.
- Louder Than War

I find it very hard to believe that '21st Century Redemption Songs' is the debut album from Unquiet Nights. Clean cut and polished, each instrument has its defined role to play, rather than adopting the wall of sound noise that so many modern rock and indie bands tend to opt for. These guys sound a lot more 'veteran' than 'mere upstarts'.

There are parts of the album that sound like the Brit-pop soundtrack that hung on the mid-nineties, where rock and roll went hand in hand with sing-a-long vocals. 'Burning the Tracks' has a riff not dissimilar to that of an 'Ocean Colour Scene' song, whilst Luke Mathers vocals on 'Shoulda Said Something' could almost be mistaken for Charlatans' Tim Burgesss; if it weren't for the distinct lack of spit and swagger.

There is also a taste of Americana on offer here. The Guitar riffs never overshadow the rest of the song or overstep their boundaries between John Rossi's bass and Rodger Firmin's drums. Songs such as 'Silent Picture Show' and 'Someone's Love on Drugs' have the dreamy guitar backing that wouldn't be out of place on an R.E.M. song - whilst the insatiably catchy intro to 'Triggerfinger' certainly has an American saloon-drinking gun-slinging outlaw vibe to it.

The amalgamation of their individual musical influences works for the most part, and you can listen to 'We Are the Ones' for concrete proof of this. The only way for this band to improve would be to kick everything up a notch, take the safety off and come back with a vengeance. - Chordblossom.com

I find it very hard to believe that '21st Century Redemption Songs' is the debut album from Unquiet Nights. Clean cut and polished, each instrument has its defined role to play, rather than adopting the wall of sound noise that so many modern rock and indie bands tend to opt for. These guys sound a lot more 'veteran' than 'mere upstarts'.

There are parts of the album that sound like the Brit-pop soundtrack that hung on the mid-nineties, where rock and roll went hand in hand with sing-a-long vocals. 'Burning the Tracks' has a riff not dissimilar to that of an 'Ocean Colour Scene' song, whilst Luke Mathers vocals on 'Shoulda Said Something' could almost be mistaken for Charlatans' Tim Burgesss; if it weren't for the distinct lack of spit and swagger.

There is also a taste of Americana on offer here. The Guitar riffs never overshadow the rest of the song or overstep their boundaries between John Rossi's bass and Rodger Firmin's drums. Songs such as 'Silent Picture Show' and 'Someone's Love on Drugs' have the dreamy guitar backing that wouldn't be out of place on an R.E.M. song - whilst the insatiably catchy intro to 'Triggerfinger' certainly has an American saloon-drinking gun-slinging outlaw vibe to it.

The amalgamation of their individual musical influences works for the most part, and you can listen to 'We Are the Ones' for concrete proof of this. The only way for this band to improve would be to kick everything up a notch, take the safety off and come back with a vengeance. - Chordblossom.com

One for my baby and one for the road. Two drinks past common sense and normal practice and I’m getting to like indie rock. Well, not all indie rock nor even most of it but the polished and professional version put up for your delectation by Irish band Unquiet Nights.

Although the standard influences of such bands are present and correct, Unquiet Nights are a whole different ball game from the usual crank it loud and play three chords indie rockers. For one thing, their album “21st Century Redemption Songs” is chock full of proper songs complete with those oft forgotten essentials for memory retention like hooks and melodies. Performance wise, the band show a not inconsiderable style and maturity whether drawing on the eighties (“If I Could And You Ever Would”) or going all mid-Atlantic (“We Were Ones”) with Luke Mather’s vocals and multi layered guitars stamping a sonic authority on proceedings and the end result is a truly enjoyable album.

So, as I am singing along to “Shoulda Said Something”, I pause to ponder the now obvious question. Why do other indie rock bands not sound as good as Unquiet Nights?

“21st Century Redemption Songs” is available from BandCamp.
- Bluesbunny.com

One for my baby and one for the road. Two drinks past common sense and normal practice and I’m getting to like indie rock. Well, not all indie rock nor even most of it but the polished and professional version put up for your delectation by Irish band Unquiet Nights.

Although the standard influences of such bands are present and correct, Unquiet Nights are a whole different ball game from the usual crank it loud and play three chords indie rockers. For one thing, their album “21st Century Redemption Songs” is chock full of proper songs complete with those oft forgotten essentials for memory retention like hooks and melodies. Performance wise, the band show a not inconsiderable style and maturity whether drawing on the eighties (“If I Could And You Ever Would”) or going all mid-Atlantic (“We Were Ones”) with Luke Mather’s vocals and multi layered guitars stamping a sonic authority on proceedings and the end result is a truly enjoyable album.

So, as I am singing along to “Shoulda Said Something”, I pause to ponder the now obvious question. Why do other indie rock bands not sound as good as Unquiet Nights?

“21st Century Redemption Songs” is available from BandCamp.
- Bluesbunny.com

FAULT: How has 2010 been for you?

We’ve only started appearing as a band for the last 3 months or so, before that some people who knew my other bands were following Unquiet Nights as my demo project. The first podcasts started playing “Burning The Tracks” in September I think. Before that we were doing the groundwork, recording drum tracks in Belfast and I had been writing the songs for a long time before. The response has been immediate though, we had to keep the momentum going and release each song to radio as we got them mastered, just so they had more stuff to play while people were hearing about us.

FAULT: Could you tell us some more about “UNQUIET NIGHTS”?

You should be wary of me now if I started using a lot of pseudo-hype and buzz words about how we’re at the forefront of the new East-West Pre-Postmodern 1971 revivalist movement. We’re a Rock & Roll band from Belfast who play our own instruments and do original songs. We feel that it used to be a wide open genre before it became a very narrow marketing term, and we still think of it as a license to do anything for a good song. I mean the reason we’re in this FAULT mag feature now is because the editor likes “We Were The Ones”, not politics or a press release. So let it never be said that FAULT don’t have good taste…

FAULT: What is it like being an artist based in Italy?

I wouldn’t be the first in that category. Well it has benefits, the radio here have picked up our stuff early. Radio Galileo cover a big area from Rome 97.4FM up to Perugia, the rock show on there Experience 2 have been dropping us in with The Stones and R.E.M type bands on Saturday nights. So there have been a lot of e-mails coming in from Italians asking when we’ll be touring their region. I think actually people would come see us in Italy, it’s definately a country of the arts. I’ve experienced no cynicism towards music that you might get elsewhere. I’ve met a lot of people who would still prioritise Rock & Roll instead of just listening nostalgically in an armchair. For example DJ Amadeo on Galileo is all about the music, Andrea who owns the guitar shop in Terni too. Here’s a sentence you’ll not have read often: I was in a guy’s medievil castle in Orvieto where he lives respectably with his family. But the castle has guitars everywhere, and I’m trying to show him a Thin Lizzy riff on a left handed SG to see if he knew it. So his typical week is wine, cigars and playing “distorted guitars” at a gig.

FAULT: What sets you apart from other artists?

I’m confident there’s something. There’s a very wide range of influences kicking around in the band, atleast you can be sure we’ll never be a tribute band ’cause we just don’t share the same taste. I don’t really listen all that closely to what other artists are doing so I don’t see why we shouldn’t be apart from it. I will idolise a song or an album and that’s as far as it goes. I know bands who choose their sound based on what other people are doing, and worse still – what the music industry dictate bands are going to sound like for that year. We don’t do that and won’t. I’d rather die. That’s why it’s already some kind of triumph everytime you hear a band making the music they want and then getting played in a commercial way. 80% of what’s in the media just doesn’t have the same significance.

FAULT: What is your creative process, when writing a new song?

There’s no template in terms of words or music first, I do both. I will always have bits of music that will come out anytime I pick up a guitar which are waiting to become songs. That was the way of everything that’ll be on the album. Some of them keep appearing for AGES before there are finished lyrics. All decent songwriters are the same though about this. I’ve become more productive since I’ve had some recording equipment and a laptop though for letting people hear ideas. Ideally though I would write songs with the drums in the same room and just flesh it out, but unfortunately it’s not always possible for that to happen when there are jobs and real lives involved. I crave the day it’s possible to blow that stuff off in favour of making a record.

FAULT: Do you write from personal experiences?

Yeah always, I alter between the first person narrative, third person, character pieces, but often it’s blatantly autobiographical. Great songwriters like Dylan often have a strong sense of injustice and just because he wrote Hurricane for example about a guy wrongly imprisoned, doesn’t mean he isn’t writing autobiographically. You have to have a sense of injustice to empathise with that. I would hate though for anyone to think just because I’ve written a song now that it’s about the people around me now. I store up songs in my head for a long time, they always have human element. I’ll never write a song about the physical beauty of a car or something completely stupid like that. If cars are beautiful for any reason it’s the human possibilities they re - FAULT Magazine London

One of the most amazing aspects of this Irish Indie Rock Band is the soulful vocals of lead singer Luke Mathers who sings with a level of passion and heart that makes Unquiet Nights a band not to be missed. If you are a fan of Rock music, then this band delivers on this genre on all levels. Our Webzine is extremely excited to have the honor to speak with Luke who expounded on many wonderful things about the band and their amazing melodic sound. Here is what formulated from our online conversation with Luke Mathers of Unquiet Nights

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

Luke: It’s important to press your advantage, whatever you‘re doing. Obviously that we can keep fans of the band updated 24/7 via internet is something we’re on a level playing field with major artists. I’m also encouraged how many DJs with genuine affection for music are getting jobs on Internet radio and running their own pod casts.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have build up over the years about you in the process?

Luke: I’m usually a hard person to force into compromise about my own music, but I understand some compromises are necessary when someone is investing in a band. And that there are people who understand the business more than me. But I do understand how music is consumed and what drives a band’s popularity. I would never be forced into covering a song that I didn’t want to for example, as has been known to happen. Or collab with an artist I hated. But I think the material is suited to the scale of a label with reach.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Luke: Simon Cowell is having a laugh with the name “X-Factor”. Perhaps he does know it himself as I wouldn’t call him stupid, only cynical, but no one on the programme has ever had a trace of the X-Factor, as Cowell himself defines it. The likes of Sinatra had long, enduring careers, a tireless work ethic and impossible standards. Now, for anyone involved with Cowell to get as far as a second single is classed a triumph. If Marvin Gaye auditioned for the show with “I Heard It On The Grapevine” they would bury his X-Factor and make him sing a cover of something RCA/Sony own the publishing to. To answer the question though, if I have an “it” factor, it comes from my own stuff and my guitar playing. I wouldn’t like myself on stage without a guitar, but when I have it, it’s a second skin. I don’t have the “it” factor Sinatra had, to be able to sell literally any song that came out of my mouth. It’s mostly in my own material that the “magic” lies.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to Unquiet Nights?

Luke: I hope the music can be enjoyed sonically for the casual listeners you need to have onboard, which is fine, I enjoy some bands casually too. But there is definite substance to the song writing, which will be rewarding for anyone who gets into our stuff deeply. You’re not listening to randomly assembled words, there’s meaning there. It’s like with a jigsaw puzzle, you’d be pissed off if you got to the end of it and there was nothing there to see. With these songs there is a real picture to be found, if you’re of that mind.


Luke Mathers of Unquiet Nights
(c) michela pelucca 2010

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Luke: I owe it, more or less, to seeing the HBO special of Roy Orbison called “Black & White Night” in the late 80s. I got it taped on VHS and spent the next years copying his every move. Springsteen was also backing him up so I got into his music too. I think I got lucky to have gotten into the truly great artists straight away, I didn’t expose myself to cheap music. Of course, this was around the time he died so I picked up the sense of loss/trauma needed to start writing songs! If I didn’t have that already…

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

Luke: I get the same thing out of Springsteen & Tom Petty more or less. I relate to their work strongly because they never got caught up in fame and have consistently stuck to the same principles as always, writing songs about what people do when they have nothing, rather than how to act when you have something. They drill their bands hard and are very productive, loads of great albums. I’ve followed Springsteen around Europe because he’s so good live. The Rolling Stones always defined a band to me, individually great and collectively much more. I’ve seen them live too and the cocktail of danger & sex is still t - Juniors Cave Magazine

One of the most amazing aspects of this Irish Indie Rock Band is the soulful vocals of lead singer Luke Mathers who sings with a level of passion and heart that makes Unquiet Nights a band not to be missed. If you are a fan of Rock music, then this band delivers on this genre on all levels. Our Webzine is extremely excited to have the honor to speak with Luke who expounded on many wonderful things about the band and their amazing melodic sound. Here is what formulated from our online conversation with Luke Mathers of Unquiet Nights

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

Luke: It’s important to press your advantage, whatever you‘re doing. Obviously that we can keep fans of the band updated 24/7 via internet is something we’re on a level playing field with major artists. I’m also encouraged how many DJs with genuine affection for music are getting jobs on Internet radio and running their own pod casts.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have build up over the years about you in the process?

Luke: I’m usually a hard person to force into compromise about my own music, but I understand some compromises are necessary when someone is investing in a band. And that there are people who understand the business more than me. But I do understand how music is consumed and what drives a band’s popularity. I would never be forced into covering a song that I didn’t want to for example, as has been known to happen. Or collab with an artist I hated. But I think the material is suited to the scale of a label with reach.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Luke: Simon Cowell is having a laugh with the name “X-Factor”. Perhaps he does know it himself as I wouldn’t call him stupid, only cynical, but no one on the programme has ever had a trace of the X-Factor, as Cowell himself defines it. The likes of Sinatra had long, enduring careers, a tireless work ethic and impossible standards. Now, for anyone involved with Cowell to get as far as a second single is classed a triumph. If Marvin Gaye auditioned for the show with “I Heard It On The Grapevine” they would bury his X-Factor and make him sing a cover of something RCA/Sony own the publishing to. To answer the question though, if I have an “it” factor, it comes from my own stuff and my guitar playing. I wouldn’t like myself on stage without a guitar, but when I have it, it’s a second skin. I don’t have the “it” factor Sinatra had, to be able to sell literally any song that came out of my mouth. It’s mostly in my own material that the “magic” lies.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to Unquiet Nights?

Luke: I hope the music can be enjoyed sonically for the casual listeners you need to have onboard, which is fine, I enjoy some bands casually too. But there is definite substance to the song writing, which will be rewarding for anyone who gets into our stuff deeply. You’re not listening to randomly assembled words, there’s meaning there. It’s like with a jigsaw puzzle, you’d be pissed off if you got to the end of it and there was nothing there to see. With these songs there is a real picture to be found, if you’re of that mind.


Luke Mathers of Unquiet Nights
(c) michela pelucca 2010

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Luke: I owe it, more or less, to seeing the HBO special of Roy Orbison called “Black & White Night” in the late 80s. I got it taped on VHS and spent the next years copying his every move. Springsteen was also backing him up so I got into his music too. I think I got lucky to have gotten into the truly great artists straight away, I didn’t expose myself to cheap music. Of course, this was around the time he died so I picked up the sense of loss/trauma needed to start writing songs! If I didn’t have that already…

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

Luke: I get the same thing out of Springsteen & Tom Petty more or less. I relate to their work strongly because they never got caught up in fame and have consistently stuck to the same principles as always, writing songs about what people do when they have nothing, rather than how to act when you have something. They drill their bands hard and are very productive, loads of great albums. I’ve followed Springsteen around Europe because he’s so good live. The Rolling Stones always defined a band to me, individually great and collectively much more. I’ve seen them live too and the cocktail of danger & sex is still t - Juniors Cave Magazine

ISR recently interviewed lead singer Luke Mathers from the Irish indie rock band, Unquiet Nights. These guys are quickly getting the attention of record labels and radio. Before you know it, they will probably have some airplay on network TV. Their music is mainly guitar-driven rock. It's reminiscent of 80s Tom Petty guitar-driven rock, yet tamed by the smooth vocals of lead singer, Luke Mathers; the kind of rock n' roll sorely missing from terrestrial radio these days. You can check out their song "Burning the Tracks" on ISR's latest episode, "Fall On Your Behind" mix.

They're in the process of working on their debut LP Burning The Tracks.
Check out their myspace page to buy their music and sign up for band updates.

Here is what they had to say to ISR:



Guys, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for IndieSoupRunner fans.

ISR: Your band’s name. How did it come about? What were the second and third choices?

Luke: Myself and Rodger came out of another band called Lovechild who did okay in Ireland, and after splitting we had some downtime. During this time I was still writing and recording and adopted the name Unquiet Nights in about 2007. There were no other choices, whenever I started to think of recording again as a band it was one of the earliest names I thought of. The idea had been in my head from even during the Lovechild period. It comes partly from the Genesis song "Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers", which might surprise people as our music doesn't have much in common with Prog, yet. Also it's a word associated with bi-polar disorder, for which running actually is a useful remedy by the way. (Indie Soup Runner being partly about running).

ISR: You guys are getting some really sweet airplay with podcasts and radio. Have you guys been approached yet by record companies?

Luke: Well it's happened, e-mails and calls. But a huge majority of record company interest will come to nothing, so you have to be prepared for that. It's very early, I expect them to be impressed by the songs we get together. So far the only thing to mention is that the song "Burning The Tracks" will be available November 16th on a compilation by Modirn Records, a New York label. Our first release will be likely be on the Essential Credential label. Wider physical distribution would be welcome though in the future.

ISR: Your debut LP, Burning The Tracks. Can you talk about that a little bit? How did this project come about?

Luke: Like an album of non-cynical motives should come about. We had a culmination of songs that warranted an album. It seems like the industry is intolerant with EP's and white labels now anyway, in terms of getting reviewed or almost any type of exposure. So that made the album route about the only possibility. Although I think anyway that anyone who considers themselves a songwriter should be dealing in albums. I don't feel we're stretching to come up with material anyway, there are already some projects started on my laptop for songs which will probably be for another album.

ISR: How did you guys meet and form the band?

Luke: I've known Rodger almost all of my life since primary school and asked him to join the previous band when I heard he played drums. The first time I saw him play was on the same night we had a gig though which is a good way to start. It went well. I've done most of the bass on the tracks so far myself, but I've a couple of friends who play well so I haven't decided who's gonna be touring. Kind of an ongoing audition situation. With anything it's as much about who is ready for the lifestyle as who can play the best. You have to want to be involved in this type of band and put in the work to get any kind of result.

ISR: Any plans to do some festivals in the near future? Perhaps stateside? Bonnaroo? Lollapalooza? Treasure Island?

Luke: There aren't any specific plans yet, but it's a longterm plan. We've been offered some pretty good opportunities already in America, radio and TV. As yet haven't been able to hook that up. The drummer was over there for a year of university, so there are a couple of contacts here and there that might make it possible to make that work. I would personally like to play SxSW and some gigs in NY. America is a country that interests me, I think bands there have got more advantages than we do. Most of my favourite music is from the states, more than half of it anyway. Plus... it's about the only way to finally see Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as they seem to tour America exclusively.


ISR: Each of you guys can field this question if you like...What is the name of the 6th artist listed on your iPods in the Artists view?

Rodger: "Fly Like An Eagle" - Steve Miller Band
Luke: "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" - Bobby Womack
Adam: Richard Prior Live on Broadway

ISR: If there was one record label that you’d like to be signed with, which one would it be?

Lu - Indie Soup Runner

ISR recently interviewed lead singer Luke Mathers from the Irish indie rock band, Unquiet Nights. These guys are quickly getting the attention of record labels and radio. Before you know it, they will probably have some airplay on network TV. Their music is mainly guitar-driven rock. It's reminiscent of 80s Tom Petty guitar-driven rock, yet tamed by the smooth vocals of lead singer, Luke Mathers; the kind of rock n' roll sorely missing from terrestrial radio these days. You can check out their song "Burning the Tracks" on ISR's latest episode, "Fall On Your Behind" mix.

They're in the process of working on their debut LP Burning The Tracks.
Check out their myspace page to buy their music and sign up for band updates.

Here is what they had to say to ISR:



Guys, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for IndieSoupRunner fans.

ISR: Your band’s name. How did it come about? What were the second and third choices?

Luke: Myself and Rodger came out of another band called Lovechild who did okay in Ireland, and after splitting we had some downtime. During this time I was still writing and recording and adopted the name Unquiet Nights in about 2007. There were no other choices, whenever I started to think of recording again as a band it was one of the earliest names I thought of. The idea had been in my head from even during the Lovechild period. It comes partly from the Genesis song "Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers", which might surprise people as our music doesn't have much in common with Prog, yet. Also it's a word associated with bi-polar disorder, for which running actually is a useful remedy by the way. (Indie Soup Runner being partly about running).

ISR: You guys are getting some really sweet airplay with podcasts and radio. Have you guys been approached yet by record companies?

Luke: Well it's happened, e-mails and calls. But a huge majority of record company interest will come to nothing, so you have to be prepared for that. It's very early, I expect them to be impressed by the songs we get together. So far the only thing to mention is that the song "Burning The Tracks" will be available November 16th on a compilation by Modirn Records, a New York label. Our first release will be likely be on the Essential Credential label. Wider physical distribution would be welcome though in the future.

ISR: Your debut LP, Burning The Tracks. Can you talk about that a little bit? How did this project come about?

Luke: Like an album of non-cynical motives should come about. We had a culmination of songs that warranted an album. It seems like the industry is intolerant with EP's and white labels now anyway, in terms of getting reviewed or almost any type of exposure. So that made the album route about the only possibility. Although I think anyway that anyone who considers themselves a songwriter should be dealing in albums. I don't feel we're stretching to come up with material anyway, there are already some projects started on my laptop for songs which will probably be for another album.

ISR: How did you guys meet and form the band?

Luke: I've known Rodger almost all of my life since primary school and asked him to join the previous band when I heard he played drums. The first time I saw him play was on the same night we had a gig though which is a good way to start. It went well. I've done most of the bass on the tracks so far myself, but I've a couple of friends who play well so I haven't decided who's gonna be touring. Kind of an ongoing audition situation. With anything it's as much about who is ready for the lifestyle as who can play the best. You have to want to be involved in this type of band and put in the work to get any kind of result.

ISR: Any plans to do some festivals in the near future? Perhaps stateside? Bonnaroo? Lollapalooza? Treasure Island?

Luke: There aren't any specific plans yet, but it's a longterm plan. We've been offered some pretty good opportunities already in America, radio and TV. As yet haven't been able to hook that up. The drummer was over there for a year of university, so there are a couple of contacts here and there that might make it possible to make that work. I would personally like to play SxSW and some gigs in NY. America is a country that interests me, I think bands there have got more advantages than we do. Most of my favourite music is from the states, more than half of it anyway. Plus... it's about the only way to finally see Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as they seem to tour America exclusively.


ISR: Each of you guys can field this question if you like...What is the name of the 6th artist listed on your iPods in the Artists view?

Rodger: "Fly Like An Eagle" - Steve Miller Band
Luke: "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" - Bobby Womack
Adam: Richard Prior Live on Broadway

ISR: If there was one record label that you’d like to be signed with, which one would it be?

Lu - Indie Soup Runner