Made in Mann is a joint initiative between the Isle of Man Arts Council and VillaGaiety. The initiative gives local Manx bands the platform to showcase their talents by playing in the Island’s largest entertainment venue and illustrates the enormous amount of Manx music talent.
Based on The Isle Of Man Truman Falls take on varied and diverse influences in their music. They have managed to forge a style that is original yet keeping in with their ethos of letting the song do the work as opposed dressing them up in fly by night musical fashion.
Expect swooning guitars, luxurious arrangements and melodic compositions recorded with love and care giving over a timeless yet tireless quality.
Simon Rea Vocals/Guitars
Dave Armstrong Bass/Keys
Paul Teare Guitars/Vocals
Martyn Thomas Drums
We caught up with Paul Teare from Truman Falls who are the 7th headline act to grace the Made in Mann series.
Q. What is your background in music?
We were playing in different bands on the Island in the mid to late 1980s and met Dave Armstrong at his studio recording different projects, Simon as a solo artist after singing with bands: Red Square and Stories for Boys, and Paul (myself) as bassist and vocalist in Twenty 20. We soon all became friends and formed cover band Starfish Captains, with Dave Armstrong on bass, Johnny Peacock on drums, and Stuart Watret on guitar. We started out as Truman Falls in the late 90s initially in London, before moving back to the Island, where we recorded our first album, Little Happyhells, with Dave Armstrong as producer and bassist, and with Steph Joyce on guitar.
In 2005 we gained some BBC Radio 2 airplay and a live session on Janice Long's show. We also opened the shows for US Singer/ Songwriter, Josh Rouse on the UK leg of his European tour and we played at Guilfest that same summer. Long term friend Chris Glaister stepped in on that tour as bassist/keyboard player. Since then we have been gigging and recorded a second album, Headswims, before working on the forthcoming third album, Silverdale.
Q. How would you describe your sound?
It has changed a little since the first album which tended to attract the tag of Alt Country and Americana, but more recently we are taking influence from late 50s early 60s reverb guitar and vocal sounds of that time, combined with soaring strings and vocal harmonies. We feel it sounds authentic to that era, and that has become a mainstay of our creative and recording process.
Q. Who are your biggest influences?
There are so many really, Simon would say perhaps Beach Boys, Scott Walker, Delius, Talk Talk, Bobby Darin. For Paul, similar, a lot of Shadows guitar influence,, also Cocteau Twins, Beatles, The Smiths. Ultimately we have an appreciation of any good music, be it old fashioned, classical, etc. it's all had an musical imprint on us. Dave has a wise and wide experience of all genres of music in his capacity as producer and musician and lover of music.
Q. The Made in Mann series is about showcasing the best of local original music as well as making it accessible to a wider audience. Why is it important that larger venues such as VillaGaiety look to support local original music on the island?
It's so important and wonderful that VillaGaiety along with so many other venues on the island continue to support local original music. If you see local music being performed in such venues as VillaGaiety it reaches aspiring young musicians, who can then go on to realise their potential also, it creates a buzz, and the island has so much talent for a relatively small place. The local music scene needs venues like this to allow local musicians to always have a platform to perform. It's especially wonderful that the Gaiety is one of the most historic and beautiful theatres in the world.
Q. How important is it that bands such as yourselves have opportunities to play at the island’s largest music venue?
Again, it's about the fantastic audience potential. Performing here brings a great sense of reverence for the occasion. We have had fantastic opportunities afforded to us whether it being supporting an established artist on tour, or as part of a local showcase evening such as the event in September. This has been the case for many years now with local singers and musicians able to share the stage with international artists, and it is greatly appreciated.
Q. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band since the global pandemic and how have you adjusted your plans in light of this?
To be honest, not much has been different for us. Obviously we couldnt be in the same room for a while, which was a problem, but it did allow a little time for us to carry on writing, Simon has been working hard getting new songs together and singles out on all streaming and downloading platforms as well as online radio worldwide. Luckily we live in a time where immediate media sharing to anyone, anywhere is possible. We have dabbled with the idea of having an outdoor streaming gig broadcast online, and that's something we may look at in the future. The pandemic has been a testing time for everyone in the music world, but as an island we've been fairly fortunate with our freedom and being able to still see live music.
Q. Tell us a little about your support acts? What can we expect?
Alice Dudley, has just recorded a new EP, with Gyp Buggane at Balkagroove and we love it. Summery songs, with a beautiful voice, wonderful singer songwriter. You can check out her songs and videos on her Facebook page.
Steph Joyce as mentioned played guitar on our first album, and he has been playing in local venues for many years. He again is a wonderful singer and guitarist, a real talent.
Q. What’s next for you?
Finishing our third album, Silverdale. 2 songs are already finiished , The Only One and Something about Love. and are available on the usual platforms Amazon Music, Spotify, itunes, Bandcamp. We are getting some really nice feedback from airplay on radio stations worldwide, inc BBC Radio and we will continue to press on with that, as more songs are finished. We will also be performing at what has become an annual event for us now at St. Ninians Church for the Graih charity Christmas concert, around mid December, along with special guests to be announced nearer the time.
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Plus support from: Alice Dudley & Steph JoyceThis September VillaGaiety are thrilled to welcome Truman Falls to Villa Marina’s Prom Suite, the seventh band to perform as part of our Made in Mann series!
Following the successful introduction of the series in 2020 that saw approx. 600 people attend four separate gigs. Made in Mann gives local Manx bands the platform to showcase their talents by playing in the Island’s largest entertainment venue and illustrates the enormous amount of Manx music talent. After releasing two albums Truman Falls are currently working on their new venture SILVERDALE. This entails the steady output of their lovingly crafted compositions being released individually and independently over the coming months culminating in their third album. Taking on varied and diverse influences the band have managed to forge a style that is original yet keeping in with their ethos of letting the song do the work as opposed dressing them up in fly by night musical fashion. Expect swooning guitars, luxurious arrangements, and melodic compositions recorded with love and caregiving over a timeless yet tireless quality.
This is a free event, no tickets are required but capacity is limited to 250.
Doors open: 7:30pm
Age restriction: 16+Kindly supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
