The Overtones excited for Belfast return

Following the success of their debut album, Good Ol’ Fashioned Love, which went platinum for the five piece vocal harmony group, the guys will return to The Waterfront Hall on Tuesday November 13; a venue the band’s Irish star Timmy Matley described as one of his favourites when he spoke to The Star recently.

“We’re back for our Irish fix,” he laughed, “I love it, we as a band always have a great time in Ireland. The crowd know how to let themselves go, singing and dancing along and having a good time. It’s nice to see people enjoy themselves have fun.

“I love coming to The Waterfront, I love that venue, it’s one of my favourites. It’s grand but also a bit intimate.

“The show will be the best of what we do. We’ll have this amazing band come on tour with us, we’re rearranging the old songs, showcasing the new stuff. It’s definitely going to be an uplifting show where people get up and dance.”

With the tour kicking off in Timmy’s home city of Cork, it will be a special moment for the Irishman.

“It’s always nice going back, each of us get to have a moment back in our home towns, be it Cork, or Manchester for Mark, Bristol for Mike or London for Darren. The only thing we’re waiting for is Lachie’s turn and going to Australia!”

It has been a busy year for The Overtones, performing at some of the highest profile events in the world this year, including at the Diamond Jubilee and a concert for the Olympics in Hyde Park.

With their tour ready to begin, they have also had the small task of writing and recording their second album Higher, which went straight into the top ten of the album chart upon its release recently.

The boys have been trying to take their music one step further, mixing the old with the new as they bring a more pop feel to their traditional doo-wop, vocal harmony sound, as can be heard in the first single from the second album, Loving the Sound.

Instantly catchy and feel good, Timmy says the band’s music has progressed from recording in a country cottage to top studios with some of the best writers and producers in the business, including Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Boyz II Men), Trevor Horn, a veteran of the big band circuit, Future Cut (Olly Murs, Lily Allen). They have also been adding to their own songwriting credentials.

“The Overtones are very much in the driving seat of song choices, even originals like Gambling Man,” Timmy explained, “Some we write, some we record, but regardless we’re the ones to choose.

“For the first album we were in a country cottage with duvets and bedsheets on the windows for the sound. Now we’re working with amazing producers, there’s Trevor Horn, Walter Afanasieff, who’s worked with people like Grace Jones, he broke Mariah Carey, grammy award winning producers. It makes you up your game, stepping up vocally on an album with epic production, a 40 piece orchestra on some songs, I’m really proud of that and really excited for people to hear it.”

It’s certainly a long way from the guy’s origins as five struggling singers, who formed their own painting and decorating company to get by and allow them to practise together.

“When that story went out we were singing painters, but we were singers foremost who set up a business together. We were five kids living in London trying to fund what we do. I’m proud of the journey we’ve made,” said Timmy.

Now they have yet another nationwide tour to look forward to. Thinking about the upcoming shows and what he most enjoys about touring, Timmy commented: “I really enjoy looking out from the dressing room, looking at the queue of people coming to see you live. People who have booked babysitters, got a train, or in some cases a plane to come and see you, and you feel the love.”

The boys certainly have felt the love from their fans over the past couple of years, but with all their success, what has been Timmy’s own personal highlight?

“The highlight has been the Jubilee. To be asked by Gary Barlow to come along and do the warm up set was an honour. Gary Barlow is part of one of the biggest bands in the world and it’s amazing to have people at such a high level give a new act like us a chance to do a warm up set and perform on such a stage. Looking out at the Mall, seeing all the people and the flags, to shout, ‘Can you hear us at the back?’ and 250,000 people cheer back is something special. As an Irishman, being part of that day was amazing, and to feel that sort of love and support as well was incredible.

“We were having a drink at the Palace afterwards which wasn’t too bad. We were so excited to be there with people like Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney. We were speaking to Prince William who told us his granny really enjoyed the show and I’m thinking, ‘Your granny’s the Queen!’ and we were talking to him like we were down at the local pub!”

And what’s in store for Timmy after the tour?

“A little holiday might be nice. I usually go home every Christmas to my family but this year I think I might have a holiday. I’m lucky I get to see my family quite a lot, it’s amazing for me, When I was first in London and struggling and I couldn’t always get back, so it’s great to know now that because we release in Ireland and do well there that I can get back.”

Sending a message to all the local fans who will be going to see the boys when they arrive in Belfast in November, Timmy said: “Thanks a million for your support in the last couple of years, it’s been a journey for us but it’s the people who’ve gone out and bought our album or passed it on to a neighbour or friend that we got to record a second album. It’s been a labour of love and we can’t wait for you to hear it.

“They can dance along, we’re really excited for people to hear it live.”

Tickets to see The Overtones live in Belfast are still available. To book tickets, priced £32, visit www.waterfront.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 028 90 33 44 55.