Black Gate host Australian folk outfit The Mae Trio

Hailing from Melbourne, The Mae Trio come to Galway City’s Black Gate Centre on Francis Street this Sunday, September 17.  The band are sisters Elsie and Maggie Rigby and Anita Hillman. Their folk-inflected harmonies are infused with a combination of cello, banjo, ukulele, mandolin and guitar.

The band released their second album Take Care Take Cover, earlier this year.  It was recorded in Nashville and produced by Erick Jaskowiak. Erick’s CV includes stellar names like Crooked Still and Tim O’Brien, as well as The Mae Trio’s fellow Australians, The Waifs.

The record opens with Well Enough Alone, which will appeal to fans of Alison Krauss. Call Me Stranger is another gem, with Maggie’s Australian accent shining through. They might have decamped to the heart of American country, but it’s heartening that The Mae Trio aren’t singing with a country ‘n’ western twang. This is folk music, without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

Parallel Park is another great tune, a song that builds into a propulsive toe-tapper. Sweet as Honey has the feel of an old folk tune, and it’s easy to imagine The Mae Trio working well in the intimate Black Gate venue.

This is a gig that’s worth taking a punt on, offering a chance to see a band that could well be playing much bigger venues soon.

Doors 7pm, tickets €10.