Blue Syndrome have been on Goldenplec’s radar for many a year now, going as far back as the days of the busy forums, so there is a sense of pride every time we hear another successful story from this 4-piece from Swords.

Frontman Colm O’Loughlin took some time out to answer a few questions exclusively for goldenplec.com:

Blue Syndrome, Where did that name come from?

We were originally called Crimson Forge. That didn’t last too long as you can imagine so we soon changed it to Fallen. After a while we started getting tired of that name and with there being a million and one other bands with the same name we had to come up with something different. Myself and Stephen wrote this song called Blue Syndrome and on searching for a new name, this one always stuck in our heads and stood out above any other.

Blue Syndrome Formed in 2005, so you are 5 years running as a band. How has the band evolved over the years?

Despite losing a member here and there along the way, we’ve gone from being a young naive band having a laugh on a Friday practising in our sitting room, playing parties and school shows, to something with more to show for. In the past 3 years we’ve played to 1500 in Vicar St and The Academy, signed a record deal, recorded an album, lost a record deal, begged and borrowed to release a single and an album, lost 2 bass players, and played some really amazing gigs around Ireland. The experience we’ve had is enough to keep us going for years. We’ve learned not to take anything for granted and just to work hard and writing songs, and promoting ourselves as much as we can without depending on people.

How does Blue Syndrome write song, 1 person or a band process.

Usually I would come up with an idea I’ve been working on on the acoustic guitar. We’d just be jamming through our set list at band practice and I’d just start to play a new song and the lads would then join in. It’d take a couple of times to come up with the basic structure and ideas of what we want the song to sound like and what we want to play. We’d then bring it to the live scene at some stage and figure out where to go from there.

Last year you released your debut album “Over and Out”. How did that release go for you?

The release was one of the greatest experiences ever. Just the whole build up to it and getting the albums back last minute and seeing them all done up and everything was so cool. The album launch in The Village was overwhelming to say the least. Having all your friends and family there and on top of that your fans, an almost sold out Village at your own show was one of the coolest feelings ever.

You have supported some top Irish acts over the years, who was your favourite?

It’s definitely got to be Delorentos or The Coronas. They’re just so nice to be around. It’s great that we all get to hang out and have a few beers without it always being about the music and the gig. Having said that we’ve only really done it at the gigs we’ve played with them but they’re really accommodating and don’t shut you out like a lot of top acts would.

You originally had a 4 year deal with Blast Beat records but they went into liquidation and you set up Awkward Turtle records. How has that gone for you?

It’s gone pretty well. There’s no real difference to it only we have an entity to help promote us with. No one likes to talk to the band directly so using Awkward Turtle Records to promote gigs and talk with promoters etc gives you some sort of formality that those kind of people look for and seem to be more willing to deal with.

What plans do you have for the Label and do you have any bands you are working with to promote?

At some stage we do plan on opening up the line up a bit. We’re always there to help any young bands with queries or studios, gigs and other resources. At the moment we don’t have the money to take on any bands but eventually we will look into doing something. Not necessarily sign them up like a proper label would but work with them in some way. We’ve been too caught up in Blue Syndrome to think about where to go from here but it’s definitely something we’d like to do.

What do blue syndrome have planned for 2010, will there be a second album? new singles?

We’re looking into releasing a video for ‘Tomorrow I’ll Be Gone’ sometime in June. There’s talk of a single in September/October and an EP by the end of the year/in the new year.

Will the website be returning?

Yes, just not sure when. We’re currently coming up with ideas and design ideas for it. It’s so hard to compete with the likes of Facebook and Myspace, to try get people away from those sites but it’s always good to have somewhere solely dedicated to the band where people can go to, and hopefully as we grow so does the activity.

What bands around Ireland at the moment really stand out for you?

Love Heathers! Dying for them to finally accept our gig proposal! haha  Another band would have to be Jody Has a Hitlist, just how they have gotten to where they are now in such a short space of time and the work they put into everything is amazing. I know a lot of bands who’d love to be in their shoes right now.

What is your opinion on IMRO’s licensing request of Music blogs? Have you been following it at all?

I think this is such a weird thing to happen in Irish Music. Independent bloggers and bands who don’t make money off their blogs, and are really only their to promote the bands they like shouldn’t have to pay for that. It’s a bit much really. I don’t think any of the bands I’ve talked to about this are in agreement with it so why would IMRO go collecting royalties for bands and even from bands when they don’t want them too. Whatever about those making money from doing it but definitely not anyone with an independent blog just wanting people to hear their friends band.