Northern Irish alt-folk trio Trú have released their debut album and play The Empire, Belfast on June 10th. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Named after the trú, a mythological trio of poet-musicians in ancient Ulster, Dónal Kearney, Zach Trouton and Michael Mormecha grew up learning songs from the sean nós tradition.
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Dónal is a songwriter in the folk tradition and has recorded as a soloist on video game soundtracks including Xenoblade 2 and World of Warcraft.
Multi-instrumentalist Michael is also an in-demand producer and will release his second solo album See Sea.
Tell us three things about yourself?
We're a folk band from the North that sing traditional and original songs. We sing in English, Irish, Scots Gaelic and Scots. Our debut album is called No Fixed Abode, and we'll be launching it on 10th June at The Empire, Belfast.
How would you describe your music?
After seeing us live, a cousin of Dónal's described it as "Paul McCartney meets the Everly Brothers in Leo's Tavern, Gaoth Dobhair". We'll take it!
Who are your musical inspirations?
Clannad, The Beatles, Nine Inch Nails.
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
As a child, I went with my older brother to see my uncle playing piano with the great Scottish singer Alyth McCormack at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1999. The next day she took my brother and I to the zoo! I've since performed with Alyth a couple of times, so these are happy memories.
A couple of years after, I bought Nirvana's Nevermind after seeing it in my neighbour's house who was older and much more knowledgeable in the world of cool. I hadn't even heard the music, but the front and back covers were enough to intrigue me. On a rare day out in Belfast, I remember sneaking off with a handful of pocket money and buying it. That strange monkey on the back is imprinted on my brain.
What's your favourite song right now?
Heartbeat by Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Sylvian.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Now at nights when I go to my bed of slumber, Thoughts of my true love run in my mind, When I turn around to embrace my darling, Instead of gold sure it's brass I find". From the well-known folk song As I Roved Out. After jilting his true lover to marry the "lassie who had the land", the character finds his just reward in the quiet devastation of the wee hours.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Uirchill an Chreagain by Clannad. Ulster's greatest song, sang by one of our greatest singers, Máire Ní Bhraonáin.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our website, or follow us @truband3.
