'A true artist': Musician Eoin French of Cork band Talos dies
Eoin French: the driving force behind Cork band Talos. Picture: Brendan Canty
Cork-born singer, musician, performer and architect Eoin French, best known to many as the voice and creative force behind critically-acclaimed Leeside band Talos, has died, aged 36.
Social media posts from French's music accounts announced the news to the public on Tuesday afternoon, stating:
French, who had studied at Cork School of Music and at University College Cork, performed and produced a number of records under the name Talos, garnering praise for creating contemporary pop music with a variety of leftfield influences and sensibilities, accented with a distinctive falsetto vocal style.
Beginning solo artistic life under the pen-name in 2013, French garnered a social-media following with early single , accompanied by a video directed by Brendan Canty and Conal Thompson of Cork media house Feel Good Lost, who also released French's early work.
The song was inspired by French's personal circumstances at the time, following the cancellation of a planned excursion to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
Early releases were followed by debut album in 2017, originally released via Feel Good Lost and shortlisted for that year's RTÉ Choice Music Prize, before being reissued the following year via major label BMG, at the outset of a multi-album deal. A four-star review from the 's Ed Power hailed “an impressive conjuring”, and “an outstanding debut”.
Two further long-players, 2019's and 2022's , further illustrated French's sweeping, dynamic visions of gentle soundscapes and aching choruses, supplemented by the release of 2018's extended-player, featuring live reimaginings of early songs recorded at the iconic Northside venue of the same name.
Gigging extensively under the name in a range of performances, from solo shows, to a full band that included a number of his closest friends on UK and European excursions, French split his time between his home city and Reykjavik, Iceland, working closely with Cork-born musician and publishing specialist Colm O'Herlihy.
While French and bandmates shared stages with the likes of Bon Iver, Bell X1 and Dermot Kennedy, Talos' live highlights closer to home included a headline gig at Cork Opera House, and several high-profile festival appearances — including Cork's Sounds from a Safe Harbour, with whom he was a close collaborator.
This collaboration between Talos, Niamh Regan, Olafur Arnolds, Ye Vagabonds and more happened at Sounds From a Safe Harbour last year. It's just immensely beautiful https://t.co/0oGwZCKmIL
— The Point Of Everything (@TPOEblog) August 13, 2024
In 2022, French soundtracked Emmet Kirwan’s stage show, work that was nominated for Best Soundscape at the Theatre Awards that year. His most recent single, 2023's , sampled the voice of Irish-Sierra Leonean vocalist Loah.
In his life outside of music, French would go on to tutor and lecture at the Cork Centre for Architectural Education, working with undergraduate and postgraduate students at the joint UCC/MTU Cork facility, as well as collaborating with Cork architecture firm DATUM.
A keen sportsman, he also lined out for Sunday's Well rugby club, and participated in other pursuits with friends — French's former club paid tribute to him on their website and social media presences.
The Irish music scene has responded with grief to the public announcement of French's passing.
Visual collaborator Brendan Canty shared memories, and examples of work made together on Instagram, saying "It was one of the privileges of my life to work with Eoin on so many projects. He was a visionary and a true artist, making music with pure heart, rawness and unbelievable depth."
Cork DJ Stevie G remarked on French's natural ability in multiple pursuits, calling French "a fantastic person with a beautiful smile", and remarking, "even while he was blowing up he remained as friendly and sincere as ever".
Producer and musician Ian Ring, aka Boku, said of their time together: "It’s difficult to express just how special Eoin was. We first met in Dublin during his early days of Hush War Cry... over 10 years ago. The love of making music brought us together, and from there, we built a friendship."
Promotions house MCD has referred to French as a "masterful composer, talented songwriter and enthralling performer", adding "Eoin stunned audiences at sold-out headline shows and festivals both at home and abroad. His presence across the industry will truly be missed."
Dublin music venue Whelan's paid tribute on the former Twitter, simply saying: "Too talented, too nice, too young."
Too talented, too nice, too young. R.I.P. Eoin French of Talos. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MvjM1Aethq
— Whelan's (@whelanslive) August 13, 2024
UK music blog CLASH spoke warmly of his work: "a beautiful musician, his work played with light and shade – there was joy in there, alongside an awareness of time’s passing".
music columnist, DJ and Something Happens frontman Tom Dunne also shared his sympathies: "Very sorry to hear about Eoin French from Talos, he played the Picnic some years back, and my wife heard him and told me “you have to hear this man sing”. I did and it was as magical as she’d said".
Limerick singer and songwriter Emma Langford, meanwhile, shared an ethereal memory of his music resonating around her home city, during a gig at King John's Castle.
- Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí air — condolences to his loved ones and listeners, from all at the Irish Examiner.
