In 2005 Robert Maguire and Dylan Nolan (former members of indie-rock band Nivola) began work on an idea for a new recording project. The music would be recorded meticulously, but in a lo-fi environment (Rob’s bedroom) and would exist only on the recording. They quickly recruited Blathnaid Healy (at the time a member of Better Than Ed) whose violin and cello playing dramatically shaped the direction of the album. Aaron Kennedy of The Drumming Academy completed the line-up and brought bold new ideas to the album’s drumming.

The songs were written and recorded in a matter of months and the album, If I Wanted, I Could, was completed in the summer of 2005 and quietly released online.

As a result of that recording, Clockwork Noise supported God is an Astronaut. This opened the possibility of the band becoming more than a recording project.

Following the release of the album, Clockwork Noise was put on hold in the autumn of 2005 when Blathnaid moved to the US.

In 2007, Clockwork Noise were reunited and began writing new material with a strong picture of the finished product in mind. The strings were incorporated into the songs from the start of the writing process- playing the role of the lead instrument, and the composition of the tracks more focused.

A year later work began on Yes and No and Everything In Between, the five-track EP, which would represent the new sound of Clockwork Noise. Guitarist Chris O’Connor (Candy In My Heels and formerly of No Standing) was brought in to broaden the sound.

Yes and No and Everything In Between is the realisation of what was hinted at through the band’s first release. It’s a combination of dramatic vocals with cutting lyrics, powerful yet hooky violin lines and smattering of electro drum sounds. It was recorded in Wicklow’s Silverline Studios with Ivan Jackman co-producing with the band and was mastered by Richard Dowling in WAV Mastering.

With the notion of limiting themselves to recorded output firmly behind them, the EP, released independently in the summer of 2009, is a prelude to what Clockwork Noise delivers in a live setting.

With a lot more gigs on the cards, Aaron Kennedy left the band to concentrate on his other projects. Michael Fenton (Chris’ former band mate in No Standing) was drafted in to replace Aaron on drums.