Cork based duo The Shruggs have released their new single, Country Girl. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
According to the band, Country Girl tells the story of a naïve country boy who falls in love with a country girl. The country boy does not heed the warning of the girl's father and in the final verse, the romance turns sour after she leaves him for a city boy.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
James: I've always had an interest in percussion and music. Beginning with playing Bodhran at traditional Music sessions at age seven with my dad. I inspired to pick the instrument by my uncle Gerald, who was a superb Bodhran player himself. Later, I went on-to study drum-kit at Drumtech in London and for the last ten years I’ve been playing Cajon which is now my primary instrument. In my spare time I like to read or watch movies and I do enjoy a Captain Morgan and Ginger ale (with a wedge of lime) and a good Chinese or Indian meal.
How would you describe your music?
We always describe our (The Shruggs) music as: ‘folky pop’ or ‘poppy folk’. I’m quite sure that is an inaccurate description so maybe it’s best if people have a listen and decide from themselves! Others say lovely songs with lovely harmonies.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Kees: I love all types of music, but I have gotten some of my biggest inspiration from producers like Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) and Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), their studio production work is pure magic to me! And songwriters like Randy Newman, John Prine, Mr E and Jeff Tweedy.
James: Drumming wise I’m very inspired by: Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd and Manu Katche, as for artists who inspire me, I’d have to mention Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The Meters and The Rolling Stones (there are many more of course).
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Kees: The first big gig I ever went to was the Saw Doctors in Bantry when I was 9 or 10 years old. I remember vividly standing right up the front at the barriers and thinking "what's going on? this is great!".
James: Joe Dolan at The Everyman in Cork. I wouldn’t change that for the world. What a performer! His vocal range was incredible. There he was in a sharp white suit owning the stage with the front row lapping it up. ‘There’s No Show, Like a Joe Show’ (and I still have the hat to prove it).
What was the first record you ever bought?
Kees: The first CD I ever bought was AC/DC Live when I was still in primary school. I played it to death and still love it.
James: The first record I ever bought was Mercury Falling by Sting with the odd meter groovy drumming of the imperious: Vinnie Colaiuta. A wonderful album that has (in many ways) aged better than me.
What's your favourite song right now?
Kees: So hard to pick just one but album wise I'm really loving Claire Sands new album and song-wise I can't stop listening to The Dripping Tap by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
James: I’m listening to Rich Woman a lot lately, it’s the first track on Raising Sand by: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I should also mention the Greatest Stories Live album by: Harry Chapin. Belter.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Kees: One that popped into my head right away is - "If there's one thing you can say about mankind, there's nothing kind about man" from the Tom Waits song Misery is The River Of The World. He also has one of the best quotes ever "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy". Genius.
James: That’s an easy one: "Don’t you know there ain’t no devil, there’s just god when he’s drunk" Tom Waits - Heart Attack and Vine.
If you could listen to only one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Kees: This is almost impossible to answer. If I could mix a bunch of great songs together into one long song that would be handy. One song I can listen on repeat is Sad-Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands by Bob Dylan, the lyrics, Dylan’s singing, and the band barely knowing what he is going to do in the song make it so good.
James: I’m gonna have to go with: Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones, purely because it was the first song that came into my head, so that must mean something.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find our music on Spotify, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website.
