Socks in the Frying Pan, the high-energy Irish traditional trio from Ennis, County Clare known for infusing virtuosic musicianship with humor, charisma, and a palpable passion for their roots, self-releases their fifth album Waiting for Inspiration on Friday, November 15, 2024, ahead of the band’s Christmas tour of the US from December 3-12, 2024.
“I think this is my favorite album yet,” band member Shane Hayes said. “We’ve infused all the energy, explosiveness, and drive that our audience has come to expect from our live shows into original tracks that we are very proud of. As we celebrate a decade together as a band, we dedicate this album to our friends and fans that have stuck with us along the way - this one’s for you and we can’t wait to share it on the road this December!”
Critically acclaimed as “Live Band of the Year” at the 2020 Celtic Music Awards, Socks in the Frying Pan celebrates 10 years of music making in 2024 with Waiting for Inspiration, presenting 11 brand new tracks featuring band membersAodán Coyne (guitar and lead vocals), Shane Hayes (accordion, keyboard, guitar and vocals), Fiachra Hayes (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, bodhrán and vocals) along with special guest artists “The Sockettes” (singers Lee Coyne, Nicole Daly, Willy Anne Wijnja), John Bridge (bass), and Mike Shimmin(drums).
Highlights of Waiting for Inspiration include new tunes composed and performed by Shane Hayes like Willy Anne’s Waltz, The Ballerina reel, and more; the Beetlejuice-inspired track Beetlejig Beetlejig Beetlejig! featuring The Sockettes and Dead Choir; and song Shoot the Arrow featuring vocals by Aodán Coyne, who Folk World has described as “a traditional singer who is capable of continuing the Irish song tradition and joining the ranks of the great Irish vocalists.”
Waiting for Inspiration is the Socks’ fifth full-length album, following Socks in the Frying Pan (2012), Return of the Giant Sock Monsters from Outer Space (2015), Without a Paddle (2016), and Raw & Ríl (Live) (2019).
See the Socks perform tracks from the album live during their 2024 US Christmas tour with stops at:
Tuesday, December 3 - Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights, IL)
Wednesday, December 4 - Schrott Center for the Arts (Indianapolis, IN)
Thursday, December 5 - G.A.R. Hall (Peninsula, OH)
Friday, December 6 - 443 Social Club & Lounge (Syracuse, NY)
Saturday, December 7 - One Longfellow Square (Portland, ME)
Sunday, December 8 - The Iron Horse (Northampton, MA)
Tuesday, December 10 - DROM (New York, NY)
Wednesday, December 11 - Daryl’s House Club (Pawlings, NY)
Thursday, December 12 - The Center for Arts in Natick (Natick, MA)
Find more information about upcoming tour dates at: https://socksinthefryingpan.com/tour-dates/
About Socks in the Frying Pan
Socks in the Frying Pan, a multi-award-winning trio from Ennis, County Clare, Ireland—the mecca of Irish traditional music—was formed in 2014. Forged together by a fire of pure joy and passion for their art, the band comprises Aodán Coyne on guitar and lead vocals, Shane Hayes on accordion, and younger brother Fiachra Hayes on fiddle.
Their ‘Socks Sound’ combines virtuosic musicianship with a burning passion for the music and tradition, pitch-perfect harmonies, and a big splash of quick wit and banter. Their electrifying performances and on-stage charm have established them as the kingpins on the Irish Traditional Music scene today.
They have toured extensively, capturing hearts in 46 US states, dozens of countries, and every continent, showcasing at renowned festivals such as the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas, Electric Picnic in Ireland, Tønder Festival in Denmark, and the world-famous New Orleans Jazz Festival.
To date, Socks in the Frying Pan have released five albums including Socks in the Frying Pan (2012), Return of the Giant Sock Monsters from Outer Space(2015), Without a Paddle (2016), Raw & Ríl (Live) (2019), and Waiting for Inspiration (2024), each adding to the band’s list of accolades including ‘Best New Band‘, ‘Best Live Band‘, ‘Album of the Year‘, and ‘Best Live Performance of the Year‘. Their release, Raw & Ríl, recorded live at Glór Theatre, was immediately awarded ‘Best Live Album‘ by the 2020 Celtic Music Awards.
Waiting for Inspiration Tracklist
- The Lighthouse (Mullane’s Magic / The Lighthouse Considine / Deckie’s Delight) [3:38]
- Shoot the Arrow [4:17]
- Azizam Amini (The Confused Lilter / Turkey the Tapper / Seaniebear’s Bop) [3:27]
- Jam Making [3:25]
- Suffer in Silence [3:07]
- Good as Gold [3:37]
- The Siberian Set (Siberian Shenanigans / Keith’s Favourite / The Ballerina) [3:37]
- Ireland’s Struggle [4:29]
- Willy Anne’s Waltz [3:33]
- Sweetest Friend [4:32]
- Beetlejig Beetlejig Beetlejig! (The Magician O’Kane / The Witches’ Cauldron) [3:38]
Feat. The Sockettes and Dead Choir
Socks in the Frying Pan Musicians:
Aodán Coyne - guitar and lead vocals
Shane Hayes - accordion, keyboard, guitar and vocals
Fiachra Hayes - fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, bodhrán and vocals
Waiting for Inspiration Guest Artists:
“The Sockettes” - Lee Coyne, Nicole Daly, Willy Anne Wijnja
John Bridge - bass
Mike Shimmin - drums
Recording Venue: Malbay Studios in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland
Recording Date: May 2024
Recording, Mixing, Mastering: Martin O’Malley
Album Artwork: Willy Ann Wijnja
Cover Photo & Album Photography: Aleks Skibniewska
Socks in the Frying Pan Releasing Waiting for Inspiration on November 15
