Cork's Screaming Yoga Club Shine On ‘Its Ok Not To Be Ok’

There is something reassuringly unpredictable about Cork five-piece Screaming Yoga Club. A band who describe themselves as “so alternative they’re almost mainstream”, they occupy that interesting territory where melodic indie rock, infectious songwriting and a healthy dose of mischief collide. With connections to some familiar names from Ireland's alternative music scene, the group have plenty of musical history between them, but their latest single, ‘Its Ok Not To Be Ok’, finds them firmly focused on the present.

Now available across all digital streaming platforms, ‘Its Ok Not To Be Ok’ finds Screaming Yoga Club exploring the emotional ups and downs of everyday life without getting too weighed down by the subject matter. There is sadness and resilience at its heart, but also an appreciation for the absurdity of it all. It is a combination that seems to come naturally to a band whose musical outlook is as much about having fun as it is about writing a memorable tune.

Singer Barry McAuliffe offers his own characteristically uncomplicated take on the track: "It’s Ok Not To Be Ok is a song for the emotionally weather beaten, where sadness meets momentum and the faint possibility of getting it together, also a silly simple song...a song."

That balance between emotional honesty and a playful disregard for convention is central to Screaming Yoga Club's appeal. Their sound has drawn comparisons with Blur and R.E.M., while their live performances have been described as “a superb, energetic musical extravaganza of tunes, moves and banter”. It is easy to see why. These are musicians who understand the value of a strong melody but clearly have little interest in taking themselves too seriously.

There is plenty of experience behind the band's seemingly carefree approach. McAuliffe previously fronted Rulers of the Planet and Slow Motion Heroes, while guitarist and keyboard player Joe Jolly also brings his experience with Slow Motion Heroes and Hope Is Noise to the group. Bassist Derry Callanan has played with Jonny Rep and LMNO Pelican, while brothers Kevin O’Brien and Tom O’Brien, on guitar and drums respectively, previously shared musical adventures in Deep Sky Objects and EveryoneHQ.

It is an interesting collection of musical backgrounds, bringing together musicians who have spent years contributing to Ireland's independent music scene. Rather than simply revisiting familiar territory, however, Screaming Yoga Club have developed an identity of their own, combining rugged indie guitar work with sharp melodic instincts and a distinctly offbeat personality.

Geography also plays its part in the band's identity. All five members grew up within striking distance of the Cork-Kerry county boundary, and they regularly retreat to their spiritual home on a remote hill near Ballydehob in West Cork to write and play music. It is an unlikely-sounding creative base, perhaps, but one that seems entirely appropriate for a band whose approach to making music is refreshingly removed from the usual industry playbook.

Their debut album, ‘Paint the Void’, is already available, and the band are currently working towards a second record. With further singles planned over the coming months, there is a sense that Screaming Yoga Club are entering a particularly productive period. ‘Its Ok Not To Be Ok’ is the latest instalment in that process, offering another glimpse of a group comfortable moving between melodic songwriting, emotional subject matter and outright silliness.

For all their studio instincts, though, the band's real personality comes into focus on stage. Screaming Yoga Club have been steadily building their live reputation, with recent support appearances alongside The Undertones in Cork, The Sultans of Ping in London and The Stunning at the INEC in Killarney. Those are impressive names to find on a band's recent gigging history, and the combination of energetic performances, musicianship and irreverent between-song banter makes them an entertaining proposition in a live setting.

There is something appealing about a band who can acknowledge the emotional wear and tear of life while still recognising that sometimes the best response is to turn up, plug in and play a silly simple song. Screaming Yoga Club seem perfectly comfortable with that philosophy. With ‘Its Ok Not To Be Ok’ now available, the Cork five-piece have another opportunity to bring their particular brand of melodic, slightly unruly indie rock to a wider audience.

And if the band's own description is anything to go by, they are quite happy remaining just alternative enough to keep things interesting.

‘Its Ok Not To Be Ok’ is out now across all digital streaming platforms.