“IT FEELS LIKE HOME AWAY FROM HOME” | BACKSTAGE AT TRNSMT WITH MADRA SALACH

INTERVIEW | MADRA SALACH by Ella Dowell and Anne Kelly

Madra Salach are hard to ignore. Starting out as a pub gig trio in the Northside of Dublin, this dynamic six-piece has rapidly grown into one of the most exciting contemporary folk bands on the scene. On day 2 of TRNSMT festival, Anne and I met with vocalist Paul Banks and harmonium player Maxime Arnold, a week before their Crystal Palace gig with Kneecap, and just a few hours before they captivated the crowd from the King Tut’s stage.

It was a glorious day as we congregated outside the tents backstage; they were cooling off with a cold beer and beamed that they “haven’t even played the set yet, and it’s been an absolute dream.” Following two sold-out Scottish shows in March, the band had comfortably returned to bring their compelling ballads to Glasgow Green: “I’m not just saying this; when I get to Scotland, it feels like home away from home. I really, really like being in Scotland. You guys get it,” said Paul.

I asked them how they felt about their success this far. Paul replied: “It’s been grand! Sometimes you go to give out, and then you’re like- this is the best job in the world! So much fun.” His enthusiasm was infectious; he is a very jovial fellow.

We then spoke a bit about the success and nourishment of the Irish music industry, and how “there’s a really great scene at the moment.” The Arts Council in Ireland has been providing incredible financial support to creators and cultural organisations for years now, so I was interested to ask about more music recommendations from the inside: “Existing Conditions are amazing. They’ve only played a handful of shows, but they’re absolutely brilliant; they will be over here in no time, I imagine.” Existing Conditions are a folk-rock band from Dublin, recently supporting Dove Ellis on a run of shows around Dublin and Manchester; keep an eye out…

They were also buzzing to see Glasgow rock/ trip-hop five-piece Tanzana. After asking who they were sticking around to see at TRNSMT, I was met with a resounding “T A N Z A N A!” from Banks, “We love Tanzana. They rock. They rock so hard.” They had also caught a bit of Falkirk’s trad-punk outfit Brògeal and had a blast.

There was an air of secrecy around what is coming next for the band, but Paul assured us that good things are in the works: “We have lots of tunes that we’re excited about; we’ve been playing some new ones for people. I don’t know when they’ll be out, but they’ll be out soon enough, I promise,” he laughed. They could, however, tell us how excited they were to be part of the Kneecap Crystal Palace bill, alongside other great names like Biig Piig, The Mary Wallopers and Fat Dog – I’m more than certain they had a ball.

We parted ways after a necessary chat about Adrianne Lenker’s voice, until Anne and I later caught them on the King Tut’s Stage. Madra Salach gave an incredible set with many layers to its intensity; I actually found myself quite emotional at points. We had such a fun time chatting with these remarkable musicians, and I highly encourage you to stay tuned for their upcoming releases. Their set at TRNSMT proved that they are masters of powerful Celtic soundscapes as they performed with an invigorating ferocity; the only way is up, I’m positive!

Check out the newly released rendition of their single‘The Man Who Seeks Pleasure’ Live from London NOW.

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Ella Jay

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