When Rob Hope isn’t on the road, he hangs his hat in Limerick, Ireland. But whether the Irish singer-guitarist is cutting an album in his hometown or touring Scandinavia with his band, Seneca, you might say that Hope leaves his heart in Denver.
“There are so many great people in Denver, and there are so many incredible venues in Denver,” Hope said from a Midwestern filling station earlier this week. “And we still haven’t come across a city with as many great venues.
“In Cleveland a bit ago, we came across the Photo Atlas guys, and we went down to see them specifically because they were from Denver. And, of course, they were great people, really nice guys.”
Denver hardly has a shortage of venues — and friendly musicians. And Hope should know. He lived in Denver for six months in 2004 as part of a college exchange program.
Then a University of Limerick student, Hope attended Regis University for a semester and fell in love with Colorado, its people, its nearby mountains and, of course, its music.
After forming Seneca with Limerick pals Yvonne Conaty, Brendan O’Gorman and Daragh O’Loughlain, they decided to push their music in the U.S. As a result, the group has logged more time on stateside interstates than many American bands.
Seneca’s first American tour was a month and a half. Its second, 6 K months. The band wraps up its third American tour, this one 3 K months, in its adopted home of Denver at Herman’s Hideaway on Saturday.
“We’ve put 65,000 miles on our van,” Hope said, “and we’ve only driven it for 11 months total.”
Seneca’s debut, “Sweeter Than Bourbon,” is a warmly produced disc that is as emotive as it is melodic. Hope’s vocals guide the band along a trail of sadness, betrayal and melancholy — a land few know better than the Irish.
The group played The Denver Post Underground Music Showcase last summer, winning more local fans with its pop-infused bar band jams.
The record’s single, “Clarity,” is a natural for AAA radio, an infectious treat that benefits from Hope’s dexterous vocals and a hook that stays in your head for hours. The group has already seen airplay on more than 300 American radio stations in 2010, but they also have a lot to look forward to when they fly home next week.
“It’s nice to go home and see all our friends and girlfriends and family,” Hope said. “It’s nice to relax for a while, but this November we’re going into the studio with Noel from the Cranberries, and we hope to have that record out soon.”
Cranberries guitarist Noel Hogan co-wrote “Linger,” “Dreams” and other hit singles with his group’s singer, Delores O’Riordan. Hogan kept himself busy as the Cranberries were on hiatus with multiple other bands and his own label, Gohan Records. Gohan collaborated with a Limerick radio station a few years ago on the “Tonelist” compilation of hot Irish acts, one of which was Seneca.
And now everything is coming full circle with Hogan producing Seneca’s follow-up to “Sweeter Than Bourbon.”
“We’ll be recording in his studio in Limerick, which is where the Cranberries are doing their new stuff as well,” Hope said. “It’s pretty exciting. And right now we’re touring most of the new album’s material, so if you come out on Saturday, you’ll hear a bunch of the new stuff.”
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@ ; @RVRB on Twitter
SENECA.
Irish rock. Herman’s Hideaway, 1578 S. Broadway with Pulse, Angus Mohr, Pushing Daisies and Mint Novacaine. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $4-$8.
