Scottish folk-punk indie pop outfit Brògeal play dates across Ireland his month. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
The band, who recently supported The Wolfe Tones at Thomond Park in Limerick, play Voodoo, Belfast on 29 October, The Academy, Dublin on 30 October, Kasbah at Dolans Limerick on 31 October, and The Greyhound Bar, Kilkee on 1 November.
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From Falkirk in central Scotland, Brògeal were formed by Daniel Harkins (vocalist/songwriter/guitarist) and fellow songwriter Aidan Callaghan (vocals, banjo). They were joined by Sam MacMillan, who taught himself to play his grandad's accordion, local studio engineer Euan Mundie (bass) and Luke Mortimer (drums).
"The thing about our music is that it transcends all age groups," says Daniel. "You’ve got 14-year-old boys with their mums, they’re all going mental, you've got old punks, middle-aged women, young adults, old people, everybody's digging it, you know?
"There's something for everybody because you've got your folky influences, The Pogues, with this indie edge and pop sensibilities."
Their debut EP, Dirt and Daydreams, was released in 2023 and they signed to the Play It Again Sam label (PIAS, home to Nick Cave, The Hives, Cameron Winter).
Their debut album, Tuesday Paper Club, is out later this month.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Euan: My name is Euan.
I’m Scottish.
I like pizza.
How would you describe your music?
Daniel: Catchy, chantable, cheeky.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Daniel: The Pogues, The Clash, The Beatles, The Libertines, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Jim Croce, The View.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Aidan: The Saw Doctors, Ayr Racecourse!
What was the first record you ever ought?
Luke: An original copy of the 1977 film soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Luke: Currently, one of my favourite songs to listen to is Coddle The Rich by Peace De Résistance.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Luke: One of my favourite lyrics ever written would be from the Fleet Foxes tune Third of May/Ōdaigahara: "Oh, but I can hear you, loud in the centre, Aren’t we made to be crowded together, like the leaves". All in all, it makes for a really devastating song.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Aidan: Somebody Got Murdered - The Clash.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Aidan: In all good record shops and Irish pubs. @brogeal on Instagram.
Alan Corr
