Exhalers

 The Exhalers began as a one-man project, led by Alan, but has now grown into a “four-piece gigging band with three close friends of mine. We all knew each other through different guises over the years and now we make beautiful music together."

Up n’ Comin’ NI is happy to introduce this weeks artist Alan Lynn and Exhalers. Al has been playing music for the last 20 years, including in the NI rock band LaFaro. “During covid, I wanted to record an album where I play everything, I did, and I loved the process. So I kept doing it.”

 

Music has been a huge part of his life since the age of 16, “discovering Nirvana made me want to be a drummer and tour the world. I suppose my musical journey started through my big brother and my uncle. They taught me the ways of maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura etc and it really went from there. I have fond memories of listening to Seventh son of a Seventh son by Maiden when I was about 7. I was taught well.”

 

While Al has a lot of musical/drum influences, he said, “I suppose as cliche as it sounds, Dave Grohl and John Bonham made me want to have long hair and hit drums.” The inspiration for Exhalers, however, “has to be faith no more and Mike Patton’s vocals that are our favourite, hands down.”

 

“A lot of people have compared us to 90’s grunge rock era bands: Alice in chains, stone temple pilots etc. I just write what I’d like to drum to really.”

 

Alan’s song writing process always begins with a guitar idea. Following that, he will add drums and bass. “Vocal melodies and words usually come last as I’m not much of a poet. My strengths are in tight riffs and tight drums.” Over the years, Al’s songwriting style has evolved. He says, “I’ve become more confident in the process and my own realistic abilities.”

 

While Al and the band work closely together on all their music, he says, “I find it’s easier to write songs on my own. The only reason this works for me is that I can control the schedule. I’d also be too embarrassed to sing recordings in front of actual people in a studio.”

 

While Al occasionally writes about his own personal experiences and relationships, he mainly uses his platform to focus on the bigger pictures in life. He says, “A lot of this new album is about the world and the people around me. It’s a serious but not so serious take on the world we live in.”

 

“What makes us different? We have a singing drummer and the hottest guitar player you’ve ever seen.”

 

The band’s first gig was in September, where they performed in the Black Box with another band called Organs. “I suppose to date that would have been the best one as it went down really, really well.”

Since then, they have played a few gigs, with more lined up. “It does seem difficult for new unheard-of bands to get the chances to gig these days though. A lot of opportunities are made by putting shoes on yourself or knowing a band that could help you out.”

 

Although this can be difficult and frustrating at time, Al says, what has kept him going in the music scene for all this time has been the “years of support and encouragement from those closest to me.” In fact, he says, regardless of all his musical accomplishments, his proudest achievement is his kids!

 

So, what is next for Alan Lynch and Exhalers?

“We are hoping to get on the bill at Stendhal and have a few other shows that we are waiting on. Fingers are crossed but the plan is to continue a steady upward trajectory. It’s all progress.” If you haven’t heard the band’s new album Meat Clown, make sure to check it out and get tickets for Fridays launch show in Belfast!

Make sure you follow them and keep up to date with all their songs, events and gigs: 

Spotify: Exhalers

BandCamp: Exhalers

Instagram: _exhalers_

Facebook: Exhalers

YouTube: Exhalers6181

Twitter: Exhalers1