Cavan band Marcus Magee and The Hollawmen have released their new song, Mac Dee, and play Whelan's of Dublin on 18 July. We asked Marcus the BIG questions . . .
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Mac Dee, which features renowned violinist Colm Mac Con Iomaire, pays tribute Marcus’s late friend Mairead McDermott, who appeared to him in a dream with a warning that preceded his stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
"Mairead visiting me in that dream will stay with me forever," Marcus says. "It was very surreal like I was between worlds. It had a profound effect on me.
"It got into my consciousness in a way no other dreams have. At the time, I had some symptoms I was a bit worried about, but this shook me up and propelled me to get checked. The song is a tribute to her and to that experience."
They play Whelan's main venue on Thursday, 18 July, the Healing Spirit Festival in Cavan on August Bank Holiday weekend and the Róisín Dubh in Galway on Thursday, 19 September.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was afraid to release my original music until after I went through a journey with stage 4 cancer and realised I wasn’t prepared to hide out anymore. I spent many years travelling around the world with my Danish wife Julie who is also in the band. We moved back to Ireland 10 years ago and now live on an organic farm with our three kids. Most of the band live around me in rural County Cavan, all within a 10-minute drive from each other. We’re all great friends and have now moved the weekly pub session to a weekly outdoor sauna session.
How would you describe your music?
It is a blend of rock, blues, folk and elements of trad. I have been writing for 20 years, and this album delves into reflections and experiences around life, politics, and, more recently, the cancer diagnosis three years ago. Half of our album was written through this experience.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Musical influences and inspirations over the years have been Pink Floyd, The Frames, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder, and more recent inspirations are Hozier, Lankum, and the ollam.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first gig that stood out the most in the early days was going to The Point to see Underworld in 2000. I will never forget when Cowgirl came on. I think it was their second track of the night, and the place just went crazy. Thinking about this has brought me back, and I am now listening to this track and the hairs are standing on my arms. It’s unbelievable how music can bring you back to a place 24 years ago.
What was the first record you ever bought?
A bit embarrassed to say but it was an East 17 tape but I did follow up soon after with Nirvana’s Nevermind, which was life-changing!
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’m really loving Hozier's song Too Sweet, he’s an incredible artist and it would be a dream come true to collaborate with him or play support for him.
Favourite lyric of all time?
What comes to mind is Eddie Vedder's "Society, you’re a crazy breed, I hope you're not lonely, without me" taken from the track Society on the Into the Wild soundtrack album. I had read the book before the film was made and before I had heard the music. I think Eddie captures something profound here with this lyric.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Near impossible to choose one song but I love is Blind Willie McTell by Bob Dylan.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our website.
Alan Corr
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
