My Weekend: "There's so much going on... I feel guilty for spending nights in"

Fri, 06 Mar, 2020 - 09:05

Tiz McNamara is a Cork-born singer songwriter and drummer, currently based in Toronto, who has racked up over 7m streams on Spotify with his independent releases.

Before his first birthday, McNamara lost his father and two brothers in tragic accidents which have shaped his debut EP. Their anniversaries fall on the release date, April 1.

McNamara’s songs have featured on British TV shows Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, as well as gaining support from some of the industry’s heavy weights including BBC Radio 2, Amazing Radio, and NME.

He has toured with Brits Critics Choice Winner James Bay. The Corkman was delighted to be asked to sing alongside one of his musical heroes, Paul McCartney, as well as Robbie Williams, and Shane Mc-Gowan under the name ‘The Justice Collective’.

This year is set to be the biggest and most exciting year yet for McNamara with the release of his debut EP.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am 29-year-old from Cork. I am one of four with an older brother and sister and my mum.

I was always in bands in Cork growing up and I now live in Toronto, Canada, where I am making music full time.

Tiz McNamara live at Coughlans, Cork. Photographed by Zyanya Lorenzo.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I love checking out new music venues and also chilling out. Toronto has so much going on that I often feel guilty for spending nights in, but sometimes it’s necessary.

Lie ins or up with the lark. which is it for you?

Lie ins for sure, I am writing lots of new music aimed for TV sync at the moment so I don’t have any 9-5, which is great.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Work creeps into every second of every day and night unfortunately. I find it really difficult to switch off work from downtime being self- employed.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would go to Venice, I’ve always wanted to go. I would take my whole family with me.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

I absolutely love Garnish Island in Glengarriff, West Cork. Or Dingle is one of my favourite places in Ireland to recharge.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

I love catching up with family and friends as much as possible. Touring in Ireland is always nice when I can blend some family time with shows and catch ups with friends.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I adore rugby and boxing. I recently started boxing in Toronto and love watching rugby. I played for years but after too many broken bones I stopped playing!

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

Be entertained — favourite dish is pizza, tough to beat a good thin-based pizza.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

Alchemy for coffee. Love Goldbergs for lunch, and Spitjacks for dinner.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

I normally spend Sundays in recording sessions so when the evening comes around I love to relax and watch Netflix or just chill out.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

The alarm goes off between 10am and 11am. I am trying to get up earlier and make the most of my days but it can be hard in the cold Canadian winters.

McNamara will release his deput EP April Fool on April 1.

For more see: facebook.com/
TizMcNamaraMusic/

twitter.com/
TizMcNamara

instagram.com/
tizmcnamaramusic;