Canadian duo Mama's Broke have released Just Pick One, the first song from their forthcoming album, Narrow Line. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Mama’s Broke, Lisa Maria and Amy Lou Keeler, met on the road. As Lisa remembers it, "Amy was driving her old Mercedes from Montreal to Nova Scotia, and I was looking for a ride.
"We spent the 17 hours in the car talking almost exclusively about music. By the time we reached Halifax we started playing together, and within a week or two became a band."
Lisa and Amy Lou toured Ireland in 2019 and would be close friends with Ye Vagabonds, Lankum, and Anna Mieke. They’ll be back for an album launch tour here this summer, with support from Rufous Nightjar (Anna Mieke, Branwen Kavanagh, Zoe Basha).
Mama’s Broke play June 26th: Connolly’s, West Cork, July 2nd: Hedge School Doolin, July 3rd: Mountshannon, East Clare.
Tell us three things about yourself?
Amy: Growing up, my dad really wanted me and my sister to play music, as he's a musician as well. So, I naturally rebelled and proclaimed I would be a lawyer when I grew up. Needless to say, he won that battle.
Lisa: Learned to perform music busking on the streets.
Both: We became a band after a 17-hour long car ride where we talked endlessly about music and how we felt the need to express ourselves musically in very particular ways, with loads of dynamic and space. This was before we really started playing and writing together, so once we did, there was instantaneous chemistry.
How would you describe your music?
It's really just folk music. Specifically with traditional roots from North America, the British Isles and Europe, but also some proggy and doomy flavours in there as well.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Karen Dalton, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, Michael Hurley, Lucinda Williams, field recordings of folk music of all kinds from everywhere, All of our talented friends
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
Amy: Aside from being dragged to my dad’s many gigs as a kid, my first gig I bought tickets to was Somersault 2002, a pop-punk festival that the Smashing Pumpkins and Our Lady Peace was headlining. I friggin’ loved it. First record was The White Stripes (1999).
Lisa: Kinda hard to say. I was fortunate as a kid to be brought to a lot of live music by my parents. I know I went to a Dougie MacLean concert when I was around six years old, during which I 'scream sang’ along to all the lyrics. He was my favourite artist at the time. I probably pissed off everyone there trying to listen, but Mr. MacLean was moved enough to jump off stage and shake my hand.
First record was Minor Threat, Out of Step.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Amy: Prince Buster: Nothing Takes the Place of You.
Lisa: Willie Dunn: I Pity the Country.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Sanford Clark: "Oh well that’s life, or it was. It's nothing to me."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Amy: I would rather silence than to ruin a song I love by doing that! But if I was forced, probably just Gregorian choir music of any kind.
Lisa: John Cage’s 4’33.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our website, and all the streaming spots.
