By Up-and-coming DJ and production duo Back N Fourth unleash new track Best Friend and it’s a bouncy dancefloor cut packed with classic piano house chords. Out now on Relentless Records, Best Friend glides through glossy vocal hooks and warbling synthesiser waves. Killer piano house chords build alongside renegade snares underpinned by a springy bassline. It’s unabashed commercial house aimed at the airwaves – and there’s nowt wrong with that.
Back N Fourth are lifelong pals Kieran McNally and Paul Byrne from Sligo, Ireland. The lads put out their first track as Back N Fourth – Need Your Love – in 2018. It picked up radio support in Ireland and the UK. Hit by the production bug, they quickly built their reputation with a series of cheeky bootlegs. Official remixes followed for Anne-Marie and Charli XCX. Last year, their Free track with Disclaimr appeared on Cr2 Records.
With new track Best Friend gaining traction, it’s the perfect time to put Back N Fourth to the friendship test. Let’s find out just how well Kieran and Paul know each other….
Back N Fourth: How Well Does Kieran Know Paul?
Your first impression of Paul?
Kieran: I’ve known Paul all my life, really, from when we were kids running in and out of each other’s houses. I have fond memories of him as a young keen teenager banging down my door, music mad and wanting to play the decks. He was obsessed with music and mixing and was the quickest learner I have ever seen in terms of analyzing beat tempo and creativity. He was about 13 and I was resident DJ in a local night club at the time. Aged 14, he was able to play out to a live crowd, no problem. I snuck him into a gig at 16 and let him play. He likes to teach me these days! Paul is like a brother to me.
Paul: Those were the days. I was always into the music and Kieran always believed in me. I learned from the best. Great times!
Describe Paul’s character in three words
Kieran: Honest, loyal and driven.
Paul: Thanks, brother.
What’s the funniest situation Paul has found himself in?
Kieran: Paul had a few too many at a party one time after a gig. He went missing for a full hour, only to be found asleep on the toilet with a Berocca Boost in one hand and phone in the other.
Paul: Let’s not say any more but true story.
What makes Paul embarrassed?
Kieran: Speaking on a microphone or hearing the sound of his own voice.
Paul: Everyone hates the sound of their own voice, don’t they?
What makes Paul angry?
Kieran: All things not organised, especially in the studio.
Paul: Ah, this one gets me because Kieran is clumsy when eating and things can get messy very easily.
What’s Paul’s most annoying habit?
Kieran: He is a clean freak. I can’t eat anything without him throwing plates at me for any food. To be fair, it’s probably me being messy that triggers it.
Paul: I suppose this is a good thing, right?
Who is tightest with their money?
Kieran: Well, Paul still owes me for the last five coffees we had.
Paul: This really shows up who the tight one is!
What track would make Paul go ape on the dancefloor?
Kieran: Strike’s U Sure Do and Corona’s Rhythm of the Night. Paul’s guilty pleasure is ’90s classics. He bent a few floorboards at my wedding!
Paul: Oh, yes, I have great memories of that. To this day, these all-time classics get me going. You can’t beat ’90s house.
Which three DJs would Paul book for a club night?
Kieran: Gorgan City, MK and James Hype. Paul loves pianos and banging basslines and who better than Gorgan City and MK to deliver? He also likes the energy and creativity James brings to a club or festival. James played our very first track on Kiss FM many years ago so there is a connection there.
Paul: Nice choice. These three artists would blow the roof off. It would be nice to warm up for them too. A savage night.
Who would Paul love a studio session with?
Kieran: Deadmau5 or Eric Prydz. The pianos and warm melodic melodies they are known for created a whole sound that took over. This sound was huge in the ’00s and an inspiration to start making music. These lads are top producers and Paul would love to pick their brains.
Paul: Yes, two legends in the game. It would be a dream to have a studio session with either of them. I’d ask them about their thought process when starting a track and about their creative ideas and inspirations.
What are Paul’s strengths in the studio?
Kieran: Paul is well rounded in all areas but mixing, mastering and arrangement for sure. We both generate ideas like a piano riff, synth lead melodies, bassline, drums, etc, quite fast but Paul can polish a record and take it to another level in no time. He has such a sharp ear for mixing.
Paul: There is no ‘I’ in team.
What do you most admire about Paul?
Kieran: His passion and drive for music and dedication to Back N Fourth. He also is a great dad to his son, Reuben.
Paul: Appreciate that bro and likewise. Brothers for life.
Back N Fourth: How Well Does Paul Know Kieran?
Your first impression of Kieran?
Paul: I’ve known Kieran since we were kids. We grew up together on the same street. Kieran is a little older than me – I won’t say his age – but he always looked out for me growing up and also taught me how to DJ. He is one of the soundest lads I know and we are brothers to this day.
Kieran: Yes, indeed. Sligo for life, bro.
Describe Kieran’s character in three words
Paul: Confident, friendly and outgoing.
Kieran: I do like a good old chat.
What’s the funniest situation Kieran has found himself in?
Paul: We were DJing together back in the day and Kieran went missing after the gig – phone off, no contact whatsoever. Three days later I was in town with a few mates and saw Kieran in the smoking area of a pub throwing shapes and shadow boxing around the place. He was obviously was still out partying. So funny!
Kieran: At a time when I did have an alcoholic beverage or 20.
What makes Kieran embarrassed?
Paul: If Kieran missed a cue point or did a dodgy mix, he would be really embarrassed if anyone heard it.
Kieran: Right on the money. No-one likes a dodgy mix.
What makes Kieran angry?
Paul: Kieran doesn’t drink alcohol so when I’m on the beer gets annoyed pretty easily and quickly.
Kieran: There’s no need to elaborate on this one.
What’s Kieran’s most annoying habit?
Paul: Kieran can’t eat food without half of it going on the ground. He’s like a child.
Kieran: I like to enjoy my food.
Who is tightest with their money?
Paul: I’d like to think we both look after what needs to be done, no arguments. He could beg to differ.
Kieran: We are pretty easy going that way.
What track would make Kieran go ape on the dancefloor?
Paul: Probably Mylo’s In My Arms – a true classic. It was played at his wedding. He would go off the rails.
Kieran: What a record! I have had some great moments to this track.
Which three DJs would Kieran book for a club night?
Paul: Ferreck Dawn, Guz and Low Steppa. Solid house grooves all around and house music is his favourite genre since he was a child. Kieran loves old school sampled music incorporated into house bangers.
Kieran: I do like good funky house and soulful vocal samples.
Who would Kieran love a studio session with?
Paul: Eric Prydz, hands down. We grew up listening to Call on Me from 2004 and Pjanoo in 2008. A studio session with Prydz would be a dream come true for Kieran.
Kieran: Absolutely, the main man. An inspiration to me and also why I started producing music. Those infectious melodies. No-one does it like Prydz, he’s in a league of his own.
What are Kieran’s strengths in the studio?
Paul: Kieran has a very good ear and is very good at coming up with ideas fast. Also with arrangement and song structure. He is solid at finding ’80s and ’90s r&b acapellas and chopping them up to make them fit our songs.
Kieran: I do love a good vocal chop. Sometimes I have to get reigned in. I would make a whole track based off one chop if I got my way.
What do you most admire about Kieran?
Paul: He is dedicated, focused and 100% driven on Back N Fourth and for what’s to come in the future. He is also a great father to his wee girl, Caitlin.
Kieran: Likewise, brother. Team work is dream work.
Flying Colours
The lads pass our test with flying colours. Now check out their Best Friend track as Back N Fourth below.
Also read: Let’s Get Weird on International Strange Music Day
