It was healthier to be raised on a diet of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bob Dylan and The Smiths, says the singer in a powerful polemic in Hot Press...

Ollie Cole, the former lead singer with Irish indie darlings Turn, has launched a powerful broadside against modern musical mediocrity.

In an article specially write for Hot Press magazine, on the eve of the release of his second solo album Year Of The Bird, the Meath singer-songwriter – part of the broad generation that produced Irish success stories like Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and Gemma Hayes – says that he fears for the future of music.

“In a world where so much is possible, why is everything the same?” he asks.

In what is a superbly written think-piece, under the heading provocative heading Blandular Fever, Cole reflects on the influences that shaped his own musical destiny.

“My older siblings raised me on a healthy diet of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, The Police and Fleetwood Mac,” he recalls, also listing The Smiths, The Cure and Talking Heads among his formative influences.

“What happened to dynamic, artistic, expressive and eccentric rock stars?” he asks.

Cole attempts to provide at least some of the answers. The article, which reflects on social media, the internet, modern recording techniques and more, provides both a serious challenge to contemporary musicians and food for thought for music fans of every shade and stripe...

The full piece is in the new issue of Hot Press, in all good newsagents now.

Year Of The Bird is released on July 31