The TRUcast by TRÚ: Recent Episodes
TRÚ
TRÚ is a folk trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. The name derives from a mythological band of three poet-musicians in ancient Ulster whose stories and songs came to them from the Otherworld.
Produced by Michael Mormecha, Zach Trouton and Dónal Kearney, this regular podcast explores the band's approach to making folk music for the 21st century. In each 15-minute episode, the lads delve into the history of one folk song and explain how they arranged and recorded it.
http://www.tru-music.com/ https://www.patreon.com/tru_music
In this mini-episode, Dónal shares music that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
Violeta Parra (1917-1967) was a Chilean folklorist and musician who pioneered Nueva Canción, an international movement in mid-20th century reinventing folk music across Latin America.
Dónal explains why Violeta's tragic legacy is so inspiring to TRÚ and why her chaotic and anarchic attitude towards her art made her so iconic as a folk singer.
You can pre-order our new album here: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
In this mini-episode, Dónal shares music that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
Nick Hart is a Bristol-based folk singer, composer, actor, educator and multi-instrumentalist.
Dónal explains why he's one of the best folk singers he's ever heard and describes both the arrangement and the aesthetic of his recordings as a big influence on TRÚ.
You can pre-order our new album here: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
In this mini-episode, Dónal shares music that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
Maro is a Lisbon-based artist who has collaborated with Jacob Collier and represented Portugal at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.
Dónal talks about Maro's song "oxalá" and explains why its texture appeals to TRÚ. He also describes the power of a particular language to convey meaning, even to listeners who do not understand the lyrics.
You can pre-order our new album here: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
In this mini-episode, Dónal shares music that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
America. Crosby Stills Nash & Young. Joni Mitchell. Carol King. These artists belong to a particular scene in late 1960s, early 1970s American music. Dónal explains why the vocal harmonies and twangy guitar parts of this era of Americana music have such an influence on TRÚ's sound.
You can pre-order "Eternity Near" now: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
The TRUcast shares insights and background on the sounds that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
Anaïs Mitchell is one of the best songwriters of her generation. 5-time nominated and 1-time winner of a GRAMMY Award, she is known both as an Americana artist and a Broadway composer of 8-time TONY-winning "Hadestown".
In this mini-episode, Dónal explains what it is about Anaïs Mitchell that inspires the music of TRÚ.
You can pre-order "Eternity Near" now: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
In this mini-episode, Dónal shares music that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
Seamus O'Flatharta & Caoimhe Uí Flatharta come from a musical family in the west of Ireland and have performed on national television and radio in recent years. However, they do not usually appear with their other siblings.
Dónal explains why the 4-part harmony of the O'Flatharta siblings is so important for TRÚ's own approach to recording traditional songs in the Irish language.
You can pre-order "Eternity Near" now: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
In this mini-episode, Dónal shares music that influenced the writing and making of TRÚ's second album.
I'm With Her is an Americana trio featuring Aoife O'Donovan, Sarah Jarosz and Sara Watkins. Their 2018 album "See You Around" is a masterclass in songcraft and 3-part singing.
Dónal explains the effect this album had on TRÚ's own songwriting and performance. He also announces details of TRÚ's Irish tour in September 2023.
You can pre-order "Eternity Near" now: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/album/eternity-near
In the second episode of 2023, Michael, Zach and Dónal continue their conversation about the making of the new album. They also drop the name of the new album. World exclusive. They talk about their brush with Americana / country music, and what it felt like hitting a wall in studio.
This episode features some instrumental versions of album tracks. Enjoy.
Please support the band directly here: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian "astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia) "a compelling debut" - MOJO " - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines "a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2023, the 3 boys sit down to describe about the final stages of the new album.
They talk about making "No Fixed Abode" in the shadow of Brexit, the impact of their shows at Other Voices, and they mention some of the influences on their guitar arrangements (including Tinariwen and Lianne La Havas). This episode features some instrumental versions of album tracks. Enjoy.
Please support the band directly here: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian "astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia) "a compelling debut" - MOJO " - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines "a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
Michael, Zach and Dónal sit down together in Tree Song Studio, Hillsborough (Co. Down) to discuss an unusual track from their back catalogue.
Episode 18 casts an eye back to the 2020 lockdown, when TRÚ released their LIMINAL EP. As the release of No Fixed Abode was postponed in March 2020, LIMINAL EP was produced remotely from Donegal, Lisburn and Dublin in a matter of weeks and released in May 2020 as an urgent creative response.
One of the tracks was The Gamblin' Wife, a folk amalgam of two Appalachian songs - The Cuckoo and Train On the Island - as performed by Elizabeth La Prelle in Dublin during a workshop in 2019.
This episode explores the process behind writing the song remotely.
Please support the band directly by purchasing the track here: https://truband3.bandcamp.com/track/the-gamblin-wife
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian
"astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia)
"a compelling debut" - MOJO
" * - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years*" - Songlines**
"a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
In episode 17, the three lads chat through some of TRÚ's major influences during the making of their second album, which they have been recording throughout 2022 in Tree Song Studios, Hillborough, Co. Down.
Michael, Zach & Dónal discuss folksong research, production techniques and songwriting inspiration over the past while.
Check out the music mentioned below. Please support artists.
- Bonny Light Horseman
- Anaïs Mitchell, Child Ballads
- The Dø, Both Ways Open Jaws
- Madison Cunningham
- Marisa Anderson
- Norah Brown
- Clann Uí Fhlatharta
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian
"astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia)
"a compelling debut" - MOJO
" * - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years*" - Songlines**
"a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
In TRUcast episode 16, Michael, Zach and Dónal sit in the same room and discuss the whiskey-tinged recording process behind "Gaol Ise Gaol I", a working song from the Isle of Skye.
They talk the last recording sessions in Millbank Studios back in 2019 and remember playing the song on a four-stringed guitar, incorporating Tuvan throat singing, and share what it was like performing it live with a local didgeridoo player.
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian
"astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia)
"a compelling debut" - MOJO
" **** - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
In TRUcast episode 16, Michael, Zach and Dónal sit in the same room and discuss the whiskey-tinged recording process behind "Gaol Ise Gaol I", a working song from the Isle of Skye.
They talk the last recording sessions in Millbank Studios back in 2019 and remember playing the song on a four-stringed guitar, incorporating Tuvan throat singing, and share what it was like performing it live with a local didgeridoo player.
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian
"astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia)
"a compelling debut" - MOJO
" **** - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
In TRUcast episode 15, Michael, Zach and Dónal talk about the opening track on "No Fixed Abode", a boat song from the isle of Barra.
They explain the story behind "Newry Boat Song", its connection to County Down and how their production captured the misty feeling of the album's opener. ---
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian
"astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia)
"a compelling debut" - MOJO
" **** - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
In TRUcast episode 14, we jump back into the 2021 lockdown to Dónal's conversation with Tommy Sands, songwriter of County Down.
Tommy shares the process of writing this classic folk song, his own peace campaigning, and the importance of passing on these songs.
Tommy has been a supporter of TRÚ for years and features in this short documentary about the band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di4Kgxa5WWk
"a distinctive, atmospheric début" - The Guardian
”a compelling début” - MOJO
**** "one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable début" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music
In TRUcast episode 13, Michael, Zach and Dónal chat about a brand-new release - a Ukrainian folk song recorded in spring 2022.
Plyve Kacha depicts a conversation between a doomed soldier and his mother. The title translates as "The Duckling Swims" and is associated with the Maidan massacre of 2014. It is often sung by Ukrainian choirs.
In April 2022, TRÚ's friend from Ukraine, Irina, joined them in Tree Song Studios to teach the words during the recording process.
In this chat, the band discuss Irina's constant laughter at their Ukrainian pronunciation and Michael also explains his own family's refugee experience in 1940s Ukraine.
Buy "Plyve Kacha" on Bandcamp from 3rd June 2022.
"a distinctive, atmospheric debut" - The Guardian
"astonishing debut" - ABC (Australia)
"a compelling debut" - MOJO
" ** - one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable debut" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/
In TRUcast episode 12, Michael, Zach and Dónal take time out of a recording session to look back on the year since the release of début album, No Fixed Abode.
In that time, the album has been included in MOJO's Top 10 Folk albums of the year and received a nomination for Best Album at the Northern Ireland Music Prize. TRÚ plays the first album launch gig on 10th June at The Empire.
The boys reminisce about the process of creating the album between 2017 and 2021, discuss bobsledding down the Derry walls, recording with the Ulster Orchestra, and meeting the man who died twice. It's been a wild ride, with plenty of laughs along the way.
"a distinctive, atmospheric début" - The Guardian
”a compelling début” - MOJO
**** "one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable début" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music
In TRUcast episode 11, Michael, Zach and Dónal sit down together in Tree Song Studios in Hillsborough, County Down.
They speak about the years of research, arrangement and production behind their recording of an 18th century sean nós song, "Ar a dhul go Baile Átha Cliath domh".
TRÚ was inspired by recordings by Micheál Ó Domhnaill & Kevin Burke (Promenade, 1979) and Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill (featured on her 1976 debut album). Short clips are included in this episode for reference purposes.
"a distinctive, atmospheric début" - The Guardian
”a compelling début” - MOJO
**** "one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable début" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music
Please also consider supporting this podcast via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In TRUcast episode 10, Michael, Zach and Dónal chat live in the same room for the first time on this podcast.
January 2022 has seen the dramatic lifting of pandemic restrictions. It also marks the 263rd anniversary of Robert Burns' birthday. The boys wanted to celebrate this on 25th January by releasing their own adaptation of his poem, "Red, Red Rose".
Watch it now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPWGatBRkJw
The trio also discuss how Burns' lullaby, Ay Waukin O, ended up as the final track of their critically-acclaimed album, "No Fixed Abode".
"a distinctive, atmospheric début" - The Guardian
”a compelling début” - MOJO
**** "one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable début" - Folk Radio UK
To purchase the album and directly support the band, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music
Please also consider supporting this podcast via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In this ninth TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal delve into the history and influences behind Rebel Song, doffing their collective cap to Dominic Behan, Bob Dylan and W. B. Yeats.
The song appears on TRÚ's critically-acclaimed debut album, No Fixed Abode.
"a distinctive, atmospheric début" - The Guardian
”a compelling debut” - MOJO
* "one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - *Songlines
"a remarkable début" - Folk Radio UK
To buy the album, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music
Please consider supporting TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the eighth TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal delve into the mythology, history and lore surrounding the ancient archetype of The Blacksmith.
They also discuss the production techniques behind their interpretation of "The Blacksmith".
The song appears on TRÚ's critically-acclaimed debut album, No Fixed Abode.
**** "one of the most interesting ensembles to emerge in recent years" - Songlines
"a remarkable début" - Folk Radio UK
To buy the album, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music
Otherwise, support TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the seventh TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal talk about another original song from their début album, "No Fixed Abode".
The Woodsman taps into the mythology of the Japanese snow queen Yuki-Onna.
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music and pay-what-you-like to own the music and directly support the band.
Otherwise, support TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the sixth TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal talk about an original song from their début album, "No Fixed Abode".
For countless generations, the gory tragedy of murder ballads has been a staple of human storytelling. Michael connects Ellie Hanley's tale to the bloody epics told by returning Vikings, fresh from another killing spree. Zach describes the traditional and non-traditional elements of the songwriting process, nodding towards The Cranberries and Foo Fighters as well as Planxty and The Voice Squad. Dónal explains the history behind the song; a west-coast courtroom drama in 1819 involving none other than infamous Kerry barrister Daniel O'Connell.
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/music and pay-what-you-like to own the music and directly support the band.
Otherwise, support TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the fifth TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal explore one of the oldest songs in their repertoire: Bonny Portmore.
Zach talks about growing up just 10 miles from Portmore in County Antrim and describes the Great Oak tree - also called the Ornament Tree - whose felling after the Great Wind of 1760 is lamented in the song. Dónal tries to date the original air and ends up somewhere in the 1600s.
Michael explains a little about his philosophy of music via Brussels sprouts and gives us his own thoughts on why Portmore lough has inspired musicians and singers for 400 years.
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage.
To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/ and pay-what-you-like to own your own copy and support the band.
Otherwise, support TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the fourth TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal explore an original protest song: Green Blues. Dónal introduces the origins of the song and its connection to Frederick Douglass and the Black Lives Matter movement. Zach charts the journey from lockdown demo to release, and Michael gives an idea of the recording and production process of Green Blues.
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed folk trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/ and pay-what-you-like to own your own copy and support the band.
Otherwise, support TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the third TRUcast episode, Michael, Zach and Dónal talk about an original song: Jenny Black's Hill. Dónal shares the legend of this notorious figure, as collected from various online and local sources. Zach discusses how a piano demo of the song from 2016 evolved into a full-band arrangement, while Michael frames the song firmly in its context alongside the familiar supernatural tales of Irish folklore. With Oíche Shamhna just weeks away, here's an apt song to explore on the TRUcast.
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed folk trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/ and pay-what-you-like to support the band and own your own copy. Otherwise, support TRÚ via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40014422
In the second episode of the TRUcast, Michael, Zach and Dónal explore a local folk song: Twas Pretty to be in Ballinderry. Dónal discusses two centuries of song history and listens to some old recordings that have influenced TRÚ's sound. Zach talks about the song's personal meaning and growing up in Ballinderry, and Michael talks about the process of making music in lockdown and recording in isolation before letting you all hear the full recording.
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed folk trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/ and pay-what-you-like to support the band and own your own copy.
In the very first episode of the TRUcast, Michael, Zach and Dónal explore one of their favourite folk songs: Dúlamán.
Dónal discusses the historical origins of Dúlamán - delving into research and prior recordings - Zach demonstrates the harmonic basis for their arrangement with his electric guitar, and Michael explains his drumming technique and how he actually learned the Irish lyrics!
TRÚ is a critically-acclaimed folk trio from Northern Ireland with an eclectic musical heritage. To hear TRÚ's music, visit https://truband3.bandcamp.com/ and pay-what-you-like to own your own copy and support the band.