County: Dublin

Decades Active: 2000s, 2020s

About One Day International

One Day International was a five-piece indie band based in Dublin, Ireland, known for their intricate, orchestral pop sound. Formed in 2007, the band’s lineup included some of the most talented songwriters, session musicians, and composers from the Irish music scene, many of whom had toured with well-established acts across various genres. Despite its relatively short existence, One Day International made a lasting impact on listeners with their debut album Blackbird (2008), a record that combined tender vocals, subtle piano, mellow brass, and lush orchestral arrangements, and which showcased the band’s sophisticated approach to songwriting.

The band’s formation began when Australian-born frontman Matt Lunson, who had settled in Dublin years earlier, was introduced to Cormac Curran, a piano player who had worked with singer-songwriter Gavin Glass. The two began writing together, initially aiming to compose just a handful of songs. Their collaboration quickly turned into something more, and within weeks, they were joined by bassist Danny Snow, cellist Eimear O'Grady, and drummer Ross Turner, forming a tight-knit group of musicians with a shared vision.

Their debut album, Blackbird, was recorded over the course of a year, with former Bell X1 member Brian Crosby producing. When Blackbird was released in October 2008, it was immediately met with praise from critics. Music blogs and outlets like State Magazine and entertainment.ie lauded its musical maturity, with comparisons to artists like Elbow and Damien Rice, and noted the band’s impressive ability to merge orchestral and indie-pop elements. Despite these positive reviews, however, the album’s commercial success never quite matched the critical acclaim. Its release came at a time when the Irish music scene was shifting toward more electronic and garage rock sounds, and Blackbird’s delicate, orchestral approach may have been a tough sell in a rapidly changing musical landscape.

The band toured with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Villagers, and Cathy Davey, and played prestigious events like CMJ in New York and South by Southwest. Yet, despite the buzz surrounding their live shows, One Day International's moment in the spotlight was fleeting. Unfortunately, just as they were starting to gain traction, the band abruptly dissolved in early 2010. Lunson, facing creative burnout and the pressures of balancing music with the rest of his bandmates’ other commitments, texted his bandmates to announce that he was stepping away from the group. It was a decision that shocked both the members and the label, but Lunson felt that he had nothing left to say creatively. The band’s short lifespan—less than two years—left many wondering what could have been if the group had been given more time and the opportunity to follow up with a second album.

After the breakup, Blackbird was pulled from digital platforms, and the band's music seemed to vanish from the public eye. In hindsight, Lunson and others point to timing and a lack of promotional resources as key reasons the album never reached a larger audience. As Lunson recalls, Blackbird arrived just as Irish radio and music fans were gravitating toward a new wave of rock and electronic sounds, leaving more introspective, orchestral music like theirs in the margins.

Years later, the album resurfaced briefly on digital streaming platforms before disappearing once again, possibly due to complications over copyright issues surrounding a cover of the children’s song "Teddy Bears’ Picnic" used in the track "Big Surprise." By this time, One Day International was long disbanded, leaving their music to remain an enigma—an album full of promise that many still feel deserved more attention.

Though One Day International’s journey was short-lived, Blackbird remains a testament to their unique ability to craft delicate, beautifully arranged songs. Its melancholic beauty and intricate orchestral arrangements continue to resonate with those who were fortunate enough to discover the band’s work.

The band got back together for a one off gig in September 2021 and in 2022 recorded a new song "Heavy Lifting". A couple more gigs followed in 2022.