ON SUNDAY EVENING, a small studio called Attica Audio Recording in Drumdeevin in north-west Donegal updated its Facebook page for the first time in a month.
“A very pleasant few days in studio with Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes & Malay this past week…..”
Yes, Sam Smith was in there last week with singer-songwriter Jimmy Napes and American record producer Malay (who’s worked with John Legend, Frank Ocean and Zayn Malik in the past).
It turns out that the Grammy and Oscar winner has been enjoying the sights and sounds of Donegal and the surrounding Letterkenny area all week.
Here’s him and Jimmy having a pint of Guinness together in a local pub
“Guinness for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
The staff of The Lemon Tree Restaurant in Letterkenny town centre welcomed him in on Thursday night
As did McCaffery’s Bar just outside the town. They excitedly updated their Facebook page on Friday:
“Sam Smith dropped in last night. My jaw nearly hit the floor!!! An absolute gentleman and he sang a few tunes later on too. Bit cheeky of me to ask for a picture but he actually took it for me. Unreal!!!”
He sang a few tunes! Nice.
According to DonegalWoman.ie, Sam told staff in The Lemon Tree that he was in Donegal to record a few tracks and that he’s been taking in the sights. Per chef Christopher in the restaurant:
He told us he was over making music and he had been travelling around Donegal. He said he was at Fanad Lighthouse and thought it was beautiful. He is enjoying the peace in Donegal during his stay.
Jimmy Napes’ Instagram shows us the glorious setting that Sam and the lads were working in
And the fine Irish weather that welcomed them
It’s been three years since Smith released a studio album, so with the combination of Malay’s production, Napes’ songwriting and all of them together in a studio – it looks like new music isn’t far away.
Let’s hope the hills of Donegal gave them adequate inspiration.
