Oakland's Shannon and The Clams have been slowly climbing the rock 'n roll ladder for almost a decade now in a career trajectory that's as old fashioned as the '50s influenced music they make.

But this old school outlook and sound has afforded them the time and space to develop in a way modern acts rarely get today. Their 2018 album 'Onion' is their fifth release and their first on Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys' label Easy Eye Sound.

Having ironed out the kinks on the preceding four releases they stand today a lean, mean, Doo Wop inspired machine, led by the powerful vocals of Shannon Shaw.

The quartet will be hoping climb a little further up the ladder on their European tour commencing in Whelan's on August 29th.

After all, if the humble gin and tonic can have a revival then why can't rock 'n roll?

We recently seen you guys being cited as the possible saviours of rock 'n roll, that must be a strange cross to bear especially being 5 albums deep into your career?

Woah!!!!! Never heard that one before but boy that’s a lot of pressure as well as extremely flattering! I’ve enjoyed our slow clap and hope it keeps coming. We are really lucky to have such dedicated fans and I’m lucky to have the most wonderful, hilarious and supportive band. This machine would never have worked without those aspects.

As a band exploring a retro sound do you sometimes feel you are the victims of lazy comparisons? 

ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!! So lazy! However I don’t blame anyone. It’s very human to wanna give context and draw comparisons! Not everyone has a crazy in depth knowledge of obscure bands like we do. I get Amy Winehouse, Beth Ditto and ADELE A TON. At least all the comparisons are very talented. Also all those lazy comparisons make real clever, thoughtful and accurate comparisons bring a happy tear to the eye.

You recorded your latest album with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. How did that experience differ from the previous producers you worked with?

Dan has every single strange rare and beautiful piece of gear for you to try and has a great ear for how to layer lots of stuff to make things sound very lush. 

What was the best piece of advice he gave you?

Stop worrying. I haven’t figured out how to implement this advice but I’m working on it! 

Having male and female lead vocals allows you guys to bring a diversity to your songs that perhaps other acts don't get to enjoy. Do you only sing the songs you write yourselves or how do you decide who sings what songs?

Yes, we only sing lead on the songs we write although we all get touch and effect each other’s songs 

Doo Wop and retro girl groups seem like a major influence on your music were you guy affected by the passing of Aretha Franklin?

 I of course am very sad about it. What an amazing person the world had to be inspired by and looked up to. Think about how many people put on Natural Woman to help them get through something. Especially knowing that ‘Bubba’ Gene Chrisman who played on the record with us knew her personally and recorded with her. 

You've dedicated your latest release 'Onion' to the victims of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire. How did that tragedy affect the recording of the album?

The fire happened when we were about halfway through songwriting Onion. The songs we wrote about it made recording incredibly emotional but even more honest and cutting than normal.

You've since released your debut solo album, will the two endeavours be kept entirely separate or can we expect to hear solo Shannon songs at Clams shows?

Separate!!!! At least for now! 

Recording in Nashville is a bucket list event for musicians across the globe, did it live up to expectations? What's your best Nashville story? 

It was incredible honestly. What I can say though is Dan is such an insane workhorse that we rarely saw the light of day! We start work very early and work late every day and go to bed totally excited and exhausted. We went to the country music hall of fame on an unexpected day off and the cars and costumes were super inspiring 

Speaking of live shows you guys will be hitting Whelan's in Dublin soon have you played Dublin before? What are your expectations?

Never been to Ireland! Very excited to go. My dad gave me and all my brother very Irish names (my little brother is paddy!) assuming/hoping we were Irish. Did our DNA recently and found out we are extremely Irish SO I know it’s cheesy, but I wanna touch that soil so bad!! Feel connected to something!

Shannon and The Clams play Whelan's on August 29th Tickets priced €15 on sale here.