By Amanda Chambers:
Four local acts in one very popular hot spot; all arranged by Derry’s own Susie-Blue. A mixture of folk, rock, youth and honesty; what do you get? One epic night in Masons Bar where the audience danced and the musicians shined.
I caught up with each act; this is what they had to say,
I caught up with each act; this is what they had to say,
Megan McClean:
Is Local life influential?
I guess with every person or situation that you come across ends up influencing what you write and how you become to perceive a story or write a song.
How do you want your audience to feel?
I hope my music is relatable to other people, like telling a story or makes people think ‘I wonder what that song is about’
Challenges you face as young musicians?
I think the biggest challenge is having the confidence in yourself to get out there and start performing for all different types of people.
Major influences
Lots of bands and musicians have inspired me. From a young age folk music was the genre that’s inspired the feel to my songs. Ben Howard, Laura Marling and Fleetwood mac etc. right now I love punk music; the feel and look of those acts inspire me.
Sum up your sound in three words
Slow acoustic storytelling.
I guess with every person or situation that you come across ends up influencing what you write and how you become to perceive a story or write a song.
How do you want your audience to feel?
I hope my music is relatable to other people, like telling a story or makes people think ‘I wonder what that song is about’
Challenges you face as young musicians?
I think the biggest challenge is having the confidence in yourself to get out there and start performing for all different types of people.
Major influences
Lots of bands and musicians have inspired me. From a young age folk music was the genre that’s inspired the feel to my songs. Ben Howard, Laura Marling and Fleetwood mac etc. right now I love punk music; the feel and look of those acts inspire me.
Sum up your sound in three words
Slow acoustic storytelling.
For Foresters:
For Foresters (Wrapped in Plastic Photography)
Is Local life influential?
The life we live is set in out locality. It’s hard not to be constantly thinking about it. The stories and the life that is lived in it always have a place in our thoughts, so they come out in our art.
How do you want your audience to feel?
If someone came up to us after a gig and said ‘I absolutely hated that’ we’d love it, It'd mean that they actually felt something, had an opinion about our music. We believe in and care about our music; we know who we are. At least our music moved them enough to feel
something. It's the passive listening I can't stand. If someone watches one of our shows and feels nothing, we've failed.
Major influences
For myself personally (Gabriel - Frontman) I'd have to say the Tallest Man on Earth has influenced my style of guitar playing and song structure. I’ve definitely learned from his stage movements to, how his body works the crowd. Other huge inspirations to us would be the War on Drugs, Villagers and Future Islands.
Challenges you face as young musicians?
Direction is a big one. It's hard to know where to focus your attention sometimes because there is no magic formula to success. It can be difficult deciding where to place your energy.
Sum up your sound in three words
Experimental Post Folk
The life we live is set in out locality. It’s hard not to be constantly thinking about it. The stories and the life that is lived in it always have a place in our thoughts, so they come out in our art.
How do you want your audience to feel?
If someone came up to us after a gig and said ‘I absolutely hated that’ we’d love it, It'd mean that they actually felt something, had an opinion about our music. We believe in and care about our music; we know who we are. At least our music moved them enough to feel
something. It's the passive listening I can't stand. If someone watches one of our shows and feels nothing, we've failed.
Major influences
For myself personally (Gabriel - Frontman) I'd have to say the Tallest Man on Earth has influenced my style of guitar playing and song structure. I’ve definitely learned from his stage movements to, how his body works the crowd. Other huge inspirations to us would be the War on Drugs, Villagers and Future Islands.
Challenges you face as young musicians?
Direction is a big one. It's hard to know where to focus your attention sometimes because there is no magic formula to success. It can be difficult deciding where to place your energy.
Sum up your sound in three words
Experimental Post Folk
The Blue Jeans:
Is Local life influential?
Aye
How do you want your audience to feel?
Complete and Utter Majella
Challenges you face as young musicians?
Money and Transport
Major influences
Dr Feelgood probably the most but we all have our own personal influences in addition which range from The Rolling Stones to Art Blakey
Sum up your sound in three words
Sex Rock n Roll
Aye
How do you want your audience to feel?
Complete and Utter Majella
Challenges you face as young musicians?
Money and Transport
Major influences
Dr Feelgood probably the most but we all have our own personal influences in addition which range from The Rolling Stones to Art Blakey
Sum up your sound in three words
Sex Rock n Roll
Rebecca Mulhern:
Is Local life influential?
Greatly, as many of my songs are written about relationships I’ve made with amazing people I’ve met in this town. Derry is a beautiful city, there are so many places that have inspired my songs, places I spent my whole childhood and made my most memorable memories.
How do you want your audience to feel?
I hope the audience felt it was worthwhile coming out and seeing me. That they’ve have a great time. I hope people listen to my lyrics and interpret them in their own way; to get a feel for who I am as a person.
Challenges you face as young musicians?
I tend to not be taken as seriously as older musicians. I haven't been in the scene long, I don’t realise if I’m being underpaid. Most gigs are in bars or venues alike, a lot of people my age, aren’t able to see me perform. Some People don't give me a fair chance because they have established their impression of me before I start playing, they don't expect young musicians to be that good or original
Major influences
Glen Hansard, The Frames, Noella Hutton, Glenn Rosborough, Paddy Nash, The Villagers, Alabama Shakes, Laura Marling, Damian Rice and so many more.
Sum up your sound in three words
Atmospheric, acoustic folk.
Greatly, as many of my songs are written about relationships I’ve made with amazing people I’ve met in this town. Derry is a beautiful city, there are so many places that have inspired my songs, places I spent my whole childhood and made my most memorable memories.
How do you want your audience to feel?
I hope the audience felt it was worthwhile coming out and seeing me. That they’ve have a great time. I hope people listen to my lyrics and interpret them in their own way; to get a feel for who I am as a person.
Challenges you face as young musicians?
I tend to not be taken as seriously as older musicians. I haven't been in the scene long, I don’t realise if I’m being underpaid. Most gigs are in bars or venues alike, a lot of people my age, aren’t able to see me perform. Some People don't give me a fair chance because they have established their impression of me before I start playing, they don't expect young musicians to be that good or original
Major influences
Glen Hansard, The Frames, Noella Hutton, Glenn Rosborough, Paddy Nash, The Villagers, Alabama Shakes, Laura Marling, Damian Rice and so many more.
Sum up your sound in three words
Atmospheric, acoustic folk.
