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In the ever-evolving world of music, one name has been making waves like a tsunami crashing on the shores of the industry. They're young, they're talented, and they're taking the music scene by storm. Kingfishr, the next big band, is on a remarkable journey, and we had the privilege of catching up with them.
As they prepare to release their new single, "Vancouver," and their reimagined version of "flowers-fire" with the gifted pianist James Duffy, the excitement surrounding this Irish sensation is palpable. Kingfishr's sound is a dynamic blend of creativity and talent, and they are undoubtedly the future of the music world.
Join us as we delve into their experiences, inspirations, and future plans, all while witnessing the rise of a band that is making its mark in the music industry. Kingfishr is the name you'll want to remember, and we're here for every note and every beat of their journey.
First time headlining a show in London, we're at Camden Assembly tonight and it's sold out. How does it feel?
Eddy: It's our international debut. So, I'm pretty psyched. We've had a run of shows recently. Five in Ireland. And we had a blast!
You guys have been very busy since we last saw you in Marley Park opening for Dermot Kennedy. You have not stopped since.
Eddy: No. Well, I don't think we want to either. We've kind of settled into a rhythm. We had a week or two off where it was a bit of a chill zone, but right now, we're focused on releasing our music and getting it out in the world. So, yeah, we're having an absolute blast.
Speaking about Marley Park, how was the experience?
Eddy: Insane, to say the least. 30,000 people is an incredible number. And to think that in our first summer of gigs we'd be doing that, I think someone estimated we played to around 130,000 people over the summer. It took the two weeks after Electric Picnic for it to sink in. We can never be grateful enough to everyone who made it happen. It was the best summer of our lives, and we can't wait to do it all again next year, hopefully. I even spotted my dad in the crowd.
I think you mentioned him.
Eddy: I did because I was looking around, and then I saw his lovely bald head. Bald heads are easy to spot. My brother shaved his head too. I could see him in the crowd. I'm sure he's basically his twin at this point. I thought, "That's my dad," and I could see him trying to duck for cover behind someone else to get out of the way.
Is it difficult to hold the attention of such a large crowd?
Eddy: I think it's probably as easy. When you're doing a support show, it's not your show, and no one really knows who you are.
But don't you want to make a lasting impression?
McGoo: Absolutely. The anticipation and the desire to prove something to the crowd can be a great motivator to perform on stage. If you're having a good time, it will reflect on the audience as well. We took every opportunity we could to have as much fun on stage during the summer. I don't have any doubts about whether we made the most of those opportunities.
So you just want to enjoy it regardless.
McGoo: Exactly. I believe that as a performer, one of the most important things is to enjoy what you're doing, and that connection with the audience will happen naturally. We learned over the summer that the best gigs aren't necessarily the ones where you play perfectly, but the ones where people resonate with what you're doing. We're our own harshest critics, but if you're enjoying yourself and delivering a good performance, that's what matters.
You released "Caroline." What is the song about?
Eddy: "Caroline" is like a pirate fantasy, part personal experience, and part fiction. At the time, I had been mulling over a concept. I've always had a love for poetry, and in school, we studied a famous Irish poet named Seamus Heaney. He wrote a poem called "Digging," which explored his feelings of inadequacy compared to his father, who spent his life digging turf. Turf is a type of dried peat used for fuel.
That is very interesting ...
Eddy: I had been thinking about this, and then, while writing with the other two members of the band, the lyrics for "Caroline" came together in about 15 or 20 minutes. It just happened quickly. We played it for our friend Michael, and he thought it was really good.
The kitchen tour, you went around Ireland playing your fans' kitchen. Who came up with the idea, and how was the experience?
McGoo: We've been trying to figure out who came up with the idea. We had a meeting where we brainstormed the most ridiculous ideas for promotion, and the kitchen tour was one that made the most sense. We were already playing and writing songs in our own kitchen, so it felt like a natural extension.
Fitz: Indeed. We're proud of the idea because it aligns with our origins and how we connect with our fans.
Will this story continue at some point? Can you share any details?
Eddy: If it were that easy, we'd tell you. We love doing kitchen tours and hope to continue them. In the next few weeks, we might pop up in random places, taking advantage of our growing audience and spreading our music.
We're looking forward to the end of 2023. What has been the highlight?
McGoo: That's a tough question. There have been many highlights.
Eddy: Probably, and it might sound cliché, but the most memorable moment was when we found out we were going to open for Dermot Kennedy. We were sitting in the car when our manager called us in a complete panic, just outside the dentist's office with a numb mouth, and he broke the news about the Dermot Kennedy support. We went into a nearby store, walked around aimlessly, and it took a while to sink in. I think that moment will stay with me forever.
What's next for you guys?
Fitz: We have another collaboration coming up and a new track releasing on the 9th called "Vancouver". We're excited about it. We've also announced a new release, which may be out by the time this interview is published. It's a collaboration with a pianist named Jamie Duffy. He's a fantastic musician, and we've reworked one of our songs, "Flowers on Fire," with him.
What's happening in 2024?
McGoo: More music and more shows.
Fitz: We have some exciting plans and bookings that we can't reveal just yet, but we're thrilled about it.
Follow Kingfishr's journey here.
Words by Sal F.
Photos by Gianmarco R.
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