Celtic folk trio CARRON have released their new single, Crossed Wires, from their forthcoming debut album, siúr.. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Sisters and multi-instrumentalists Méabh and Mella formed their band alongside guitarist, violinist, co-writer Darragh McGrath as "a healing project during a period of illness in 2015".
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Meabh: We're sisters. Our whole journey as a band started out pretty low-key through recording little cover videos at the kitchen table and throwing them up on YouTube.
Second, we’re completely independent as a band. Every track we’ve released and headliner we've organised has been funded by us, often thanks to the wedding ceremonies and events we’ve played up and down the country.
Our debut album, siúr, feels like the culmination of all our years as a band, touching on all the collaborations and connections we've made along the way, and we honestly can’t wait to finally share it.
How would you describe your music?
Mella: A fusion of folk and pop. From the very beginning, it was important to us to celebrate and highlight our heritage, so we’ve always woven Celtic elements into each song. The fiddle is a prominent feature throughout our music, paired with big organic drums to create that rich, earthy rhythm. Being sisters, our harmonies naturally blend in a way that gives the music a haunting and distinctive quality. What really shaped our sound, though, is our different tastes: Méabh’s the pop queen, Mella loves country ballads, and Darragh’s a rocker at heart. Blending all of that challenged each of us and created CARRON.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Mella: Our biggest inspirations have always been The Corrs, Fleetwood Mac, and The Cranberries - they’re constant reference points for us. We grew up with a really wide mix of music in the house, everything from classical to country and everything in between, which definitely shaped our sound. Right now, we’re especially loving Hozier, Florence + the Machine, and Chappell Roan, all the indie-pop girlies really!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Mella: The first gig I ever went to was Beyoncé, way back in 2005 at what’s now the 3Arena. I’ll never forget it. My cousins had travelled down to Dublin for the gig and were all going apart from me, until my aunty surprised me with a ticket for my birthday. I can still feel the butterflies in my stomach when she handed me that ticket. That concert was a life-changing moment for me where I thought, 'This is what I want to do...I want to perform like Beyoncé!’ We haven’t quite made it to the 3Arena yet…but who knows! Maybe Kingfishr or Amble might let us open up for them this year!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Darragh: The first album I ever bought for myself was actually The Corrs Unplugged, which must have implanted in me some subconscious desire to someday join an Irish sibling folk-pop band. I just loved the harmonies and string arrangements, and for a young kid rebelling against violin lessons at the time it really did make it seem a little bit 'cooler' to me. It wasn't long after that I discovered Metallica's S&M performance album which further drew me into a world of big drums and electric guitars combined with atmospheric string textures.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Meabh: Lately I’ve been listening to Birdy’s Raincatchers on repeat. There’s a kind of fragile beauty in it that really speaks to me, the way her melodies rise and fall feels almost like a modern folk ballad. It reminds me how powerful it can be when a song carries that mix of intimacy and atmosphere, something we’re always chasing in our own music too.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Meabh: One line that's always stuck with me over the years is the refrain to He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother by The Hollies. It’s so simple, but it carries the same spirit you find in old Celtic songs: that sense of loyalty, kinship, and carrying one another through the hard times. It’s the kind of lyric that feels timeless, like it could be sung around a fire centuries ago and still mean exactly the same thing today.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mella: That’s a tough one, but I’d have to say Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. I love all the layers, instrumentation, and lyrics. It instantly puts me in a good mood and gives me that carefree feeling that they are singing about. It’s fun, it’s energetic, and the moment it comes on I’m up dancing and belting out the lyrics!
Where can people find your music/more information?
The main platforms we use are Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify, with longer videos on YouTube and our website. Just search CARRON and you should find us somewhere!
Alan Corr
