Donegal’s very own Boy M5 has started a new chapter in their musical journey while honouring the legacy of their late bandmate, Paul.
Paul Mooney, 30, lost his life in a tragic road crash just days before Christmas last year.
The last song he worked on with his Boy M5 bandmate and best friend Kyle O’Neill was Hide and Seek. The emotionally-charged track was released yesterday as not just a song, but a statement. Paul’s vocals and strumming have been enhanced, turning up the volume on a true legend in the north west music scene.
“Paul played the bass and you hear his backing vocals and chorus towards the end of the song,” Kyle tells Donegal Daily.
“This was also his favourite one to play, he had the funkiest bass line in this one. You could see the smile on this face anytime we were performing.”
Kyle O’Neill and Paul Mooney performing as Boy M5
Following Paul’s passing, Kyle had a difficult decision to make on whether he should continue the band. The indie rock/pop punk outfit was born during the pandemic when the two pals both moved home to Donegal.
“I had some chats with Paul’s parents, family and girlfriend Nicole and we all came to the conclusion that he would have killed me if I let all the work we put in go to waste,” Kyle says.
“I went back to the studio and all the parts Paul was involved in, the volume was increased, so he is a bigger parts of the song now.”
At Kyle’s Derry studio, Egg House Studios, Paul significantly contributed to the recording of Kyle’s written track.
“It was the last song Paul and I finished together,” Kyle said.
“It was tough putting it out but we worked hard on it and he would have haunted me if I didn’t.
“It was difficult doing it all on my own, normally I’d have Paul there for all the promotional work. Writing up press releases myself and mentioning Paul a lot, in a sense, it was some kind of therapy for me.”
Kyle O’Neill and Paul Mooney performing as Boy M5
Paul’s spirit and talent shine brightly on this track, adding a layer of emotional depth and continuity to Boy M5’s evolving sound.
“Hide and Seek” is a heartfelt homage inviting listeners into a narrative of love, loss, and unwavering devotion.
The single encapsulates a love story’s intensity, exploring the depths one would go to for the person they cherish, all while showcasing Boy M5’s signature lyrical prowess and dynamic musicality.
Formed amidst the isolation of the Covid pandemic, Boy M5 has rapidly gained acclaim, culminating in their recent recognition as one of the Irish Times‘ Top 20 Acts to Watch in 2024 and their headline performance at Stendhal Festival. An album is also in the works.
“Hide and Seek” marks the band’s first release since these milestones, setting the tone for their anticipated journey ahead. The band will be back on stage at festivals this summer, with dates to be revealed in due course.
Have a listen on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to your music: https://linktr.ee/boy.m5
