Gravel-voiced singer still stoking the traditional fires

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

George Murphy has been a prominent name on the Irish trad scene for close to twenty year, dating back to his appearances on You’re a Star in 2003. In that time, he has performed with myriad bandmates and accompanying acts – notably filling in for Martin Furey upon his departure from the High Kings.

His current project is unorthodox in its approach to traditional Irish music but very much of the communal, local ethos that runs through the genre.

The Rising Sons are made up of George’s friends, families and neighbours. The group originated in 2018, emerging as an eight-piece from their weekly session in the local pub.

Now, with a studio album set for release later in the year, they are set to embark on an eleven-date nationwide tour. It will be a mix of full-band and intimate shows and, on March 12, he plays Galway’s Mick Lally Theatre.

“Even Trad Fest last weekend – it was the first eye-opener to the idea that we might be returning to some kind of normality,” George admits.

“I think people are still a little apprehensive that it could be all taken away again because of the amount of times we’ve given ourselves a false sense of security that everything is going to be okay. I think people are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. Please God things will be positive from here on out.

“I think the more solo, intimate shows are probably going to be a little more challenging. I’m looking forward to them because it’s an opportunity to play some different material that I wouldn’t necessarily play.

“We’re an eight-piece band so when you’re catering for eight people on stage, some of the more singer-songwriter stuff that you might just sing on your own with a guitar, is not the best use of [everyone on stage]. I suppose the more intimate shows will be an opportunity to perform some of those more laid-back tracks.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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