Mayo-based folk fusion band Billow Wood have released their new track, Maisie. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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The song tells the story of Maisie O'Donnell, who was born in Co. Mayo in 1909. Like so many others at the time, she left Ireland to seek a life elsewhere and made a new home for herself in America.
Although she was destined to spend the rest of her life in the US, she maintained her roots to the small village of Behy Beg, just outside Ballina, and always called it home.
In the song, Billow Wood wonder how much her homeland has changed since she left, and have we changed it for the better or for the worse?
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Billow Wood are a male/female Irish band who fuse their unique brand of instrumentation with multi-vocal harmonies. Taking inspiration from Irish folk melodies and modern contemporary rhythms.
The band members are from Mayo, Galway and Dublin - Mark O'Donnell (vocal/guitar) Harry Lawlor (vocal/harp) Andy Dempsey (vocal/drums) Emily Donoghue (vocal/mandolin) and Aodan Cronin (accordion)
Our new single Maisie is out now.
How would you describe your music?
Mark: Although we are rooted in the traditional and folk music, we wouldn’t be afraid to fuse elements of more mainstream sounds and rhythms. So, we would be considered folk/traditional and pop.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Emily: My musical inspirations would be Tim O’Brien, Blake Mills and Chris Thile.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Andy: First gig Riverdance, if that counts? if not, Irish world cup football team homecoming in Phoenix Park, 2002.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Aodan: As I remember it, it was the legend accordion player Joe Burke’s The Morning Mist. GOAT emoji!!
What’s your favourite song right now?
Harry: Without being biased, Irish music is killing it at the minute. CMAT and Amble are on repeat for me but recently it would be I Cried, I Wept by Kingfishr.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Andy: "And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make" - The End by The Beatles.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Emily: One song I would want to listen to forever would be Maria Pires playing Debussy’s Arabesque No.1. Magical!
Where can people find your music/more information?
We are most active on social media. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and slowly but surely on TikTok.
Alan Corr
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