Donegal-accented, Derry-based rock band Tramp have released their new single, The Birds (Lowered Suspension). We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Tramp are Siânna Lafferty, Ellie McFadden, Fionnbarr Doran and Ciaran 'Steamy' McCay and the new track is taken from their upcoming debut EP, the bird-cat-dog metaphor.
Winners of the BBC Introducing: Artist of the Year Award 2023 at the NI Music Prize, Tramp have shared stages with The Undertones, TOUTS, and Cherym.
Tramp play: Ireland Music Week, Dublin, 4 October and Mandela Hall, Belfast, 25 October.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Between us, we look after three dogs, five cats and eight chickens. We have an automatic trust for people who have a deep encyclopaedic knowledge of The Simpsons. We have trust issues.
How would you describe your music?
We like the phrase ‘genre-queer’ as we feel our individual songs have their own genre - similar to my experience of being gender-fluid. I feel I am in different places on the spectrum from day to day. But perhaps people listening to us from the outside could confine us to one little genre box! Who knows?
Who are your musical inspirations?
In full cheesiness, we would probably say we are mostly inspired by local bands like Buí or Foreign Owl. But without a doubt, we’re largely inspired by artists like Big Thief, Pavement, John Frusciante. System of a Down, Tool, Sinéad O’Connor, Jeff Buckley would all have had a part to play in inspiring our song themes and sounds.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I would have to say Girls Aloud in Belfast when I was fourteen. I still wonder what magic they acquired to involve so many costume changes in the one show.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I cannot take the credit for most of the CDs and tapes we had growing up in the house (usually along the lines of Bob Marley or Rod Stewart) but I do recall buying my first two vinyl records: Connie Francis’ Greatest Hits and Honeymoon by Lana del Rey. And the vinyl sitting in the record player when I got it, Simon & Garfunkel: Greatest Hits, has to be an honourable mention.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Amhrán na bhFiann.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I love you like a penny loves the pocket of a priest" - Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Amhrán na bhFiann.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You will find us on the shelves of your local record dealer at the end of October, fingers crossed. But until then, find our tunes and live shows through our online pigeonholes: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok.
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.
