Cavan duo Dirty Marmalade have released Król Markus II, the second single from their debut album, Hills of Breifne, which is released this May. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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Speaking about Król Markus II, they say, "It's a chill acoustic folk-rock song about the one true friend whose positive spirit lifts you out of a negative circle."
Dirty Marmalade is built on the creative bond between Donny Mc Avenue (Lil’ Phynott) and Emil Kapusta (Mildly Fool!sh).
"We met when we were teenagers messing around Cavan Town and have been playing music together with many different bands since then," they say. "So, there is a deep spiritual connection between the two of us that goes back pretty far.
"We began writing and producing the music for this project together back in 2020 which all really reflects the experience of our personal growth as outsiders coming from a very rural place.
"We started off just the two of us producing and recording the music with Emil learning the process completely from scratch. We’d try to find a vacant house whenever we could to go there and record guerilla style.
"Donny would record guitar, bass, vocals and then Emil would do the drum takes. Now we’ve gained a bass player, Aaron McCann, to join us when we play live but it would be great to expand the project further in the future, maybe have a sax or another guitarist."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Donny - We recorded our whole album guerilla style in vacant houses across Cavan, Leitrim, Meath and Donegal. We are deeply spiritual people with a drive to inspire people’s authenticity. Apart from mastering our music, everything part of the Dirty Marmalade brand is completely DIY.
How would you describe your music?
Emil - I think our band name almost describes the music itself. It can be quite sweet, chill and melodic with lush chords and rhythms yet aggressive and dirty at times.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Donny - King Krule, Pinegrove and Pixies are definitely among our biggest inspirations but we are also massively influenced by jazz, hip-hop, soul and grunge. We really draw from a massive pool and we hold no biases, if it sounds good we’ll let it shine through our playing.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Emil - I went to see Slipknot and Korn at the 3Arena in 2015 with my first girlfriend, lost her in a mosh pit...
What was the first record you ever bought?
Donny - Rainbow Bridge by Jimi Hendrix was the first vinyl I ever got that my mam bought for me when we were at a market in London.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Emil - Strategy by Archie Bell & The Drells is definitely a mutual favourite right now!
Favourite lyric of all time?
Donny - "no this is not my guitar, I’m bringing it to a friend, and no I don’t sing, I’m only humming along" by Sun Kil Moon. There’s something about being a musician striving to create, not desiring the attention but requiring that attention for you to continue, that I deeply relate with.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Emil - It has to be Afe Ato Yen Bio by De Frank Professionals. This song is so wacky but has such a good vibe! I have a very vivid memory dancing to this song before one of our first Dirty Marmalade shows.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find our music on all streaming platforms but if you’d love to show your support you can buy our music and merch on Bandcamp. Instagram - @dirtymarmalade.Linktree - @dirtymarmalade.
Alan Corr
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