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Scene News ETHAN GOLDING NOV-DEC 2022 The ‘Sausag
es of Ireland’ discuss Cool Trad and their debut album ISPÍNÍ NA HÉIREANN For anyone who isn’t familiar with Ispíní na hÉireann (and even those who are) what does the Ispíní na hÉireann project mean for you? Tomas: We’ve always been a band. The memes sort of came about during the Pandemic as a way to let people know we were still here. We did the odd thing, posting videos of us playing individually. But you know, kind of playing to the screen and talking to no one, I found it personally really soul destroying. Adam: I wasn’t even learning any new tunes. I suppose it’s even harder for a genre that’s so collaborative Tomas: Yeah, you’re playing with people. Also you need to be watching people to gauge their engagement in the whole thing and you kind of feed off the energy of who’s playing with you and who’s watching it. What do you see your role being within the Dublin Trad scene? Adam: Intruders Tomas: A virus. Adam: Ispíní na hÉireann was almost like a place to go for musicians who didn’t really have a home at the start. Come on and play with these two eejits. It’s kind of grown from that. We’ve definitely gotten a lot better in my opinion. Just by playing with each other and with other people around us. We don’t take it too seriously when. I don’t think people are afraid to play what they want or be themselves when they’re in our sessions. Ultimately I’m happy with that. Make it open, friendly with good craic. Tomas: We wouldn’t be playing if it wasn’t for the fellas on the walls. [Pat Good & Mick O’Grady] Those two men were so accommodating to us and asked us into sessions when we had no confidence at all. It’s weird. We actually have fans now. Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever really normalise that in my head. There’s people that want to play with us. Do you think there’s a genuine and sustainable resurgence and interest in Trad? Tomas: It is cool now. Adam: It wasn’t when I was growing up. And I’m a bit bitter about that. [jokingly] Tomas: There are people my age who I’ve known my whole life who wouldn’t have had any interest in it at all. When I was growing up I may have even downplayed my involvement to them when I was younger, just because ‘will they think that’s cool or not?’. And now they’re asking me where the sessions are and when are we on. There’s an energy behind it as well. I suppose it’s a youthful injection that comes from a generation below us that has made it cool. What Trad acts should people be on the lookout for? Tomas: I believe Skipper’s Alley are making some noise at the moment. They’d be good friends of ours. We’d have to give an honourable mention to The Scratch as well. Adam: They’re great. I think they’re the best live Irish band at the moment. And we mustn’t forget The Len Collective. Fantastic live band. Ispíní na hÉireann’s debut album The Hard Working Men is out now. They play Every Monday in The Cobblestone at 9pm, Every Thursday in Hyne’s of Stoneybatter at 8pm, Every Sunday in Dudley’s on Thomas Street at 7pm. Free admission. A YOUTHFUL INJECTION THAT COMES FROM A GENERATION BELOW US THAT HAS MADE TRAD COOL PAGE 19