FT: The new music. EPs called ‘Rose Dogs’ and ‘Blackwood Pew’. Can you explain the titles?
MB: ‘Rose Dog’ was from the photo on the front of the EP. I had a little flower through the head of the guitar, which was a ‘Dog rose’, so we simply reversed the name and called it ‘Rose Dog ’. Blackwood pew comes from my actual guitar. I got it from a guy when I was on tour in Australia. A guy called Steve Brown came to one of my shows who had started making guitars. He was pretty new to it; he had only made about 10-12 guitars. But he was a fan of mine, I guess, and he wanted to know what I thought of them. I tried a few out, and I really liked them. They’re called Wallace- Brown guitars. So, the wood used is Australian Blackwood, but it’s made from a 200-year-old church pew! So, I thought that would be a cool title. All the songs on the EP are recorded on that guitar as well
FT: That’s pretty cool! And the new music is getting some seriously great reviews. It’s a bit of a move away from the first album. When the first album came out, people were blown away; phrases like ‘prodigy ’ and ‘the real deal’ were used. Some also wondered, ‘Well, where is she going to go with this?’ A suggestion that the Blues you were covering was a niche market. But the new music sees you branching out quite a bit. Self-penned or co-written songs, judicious covers of artists like Jackson Browne and Daniel Johnson- artists not really associated with Blues music- have seen you really expand your catalogue. I’m reminded of Bonnie Raitt’s career trajectory, starting from the blues, and look how that expanded, with journeys into rock, pop, and ballads, but still rooted in the blues.
MB: I’m not sure. I’m a big fan of Bonnie Raitt, but I don’t know if I’ll be going in the exact same direction. Maybe somewhat similar. The music has definitely shifted from the first album, which was all acoustic and solo; this EP is more fleshed out. I’m still trying to find my own sound, still learning to write. I’ve only really started writing last year, so yeah, still trying to find my own sound, I guess
FT: Strange to hear you saying you’re looking to develop your sound at the age of 20.
MB: 19 ( laughs), I’ll be 20 in December.
FT: The last few years, I’ve seen your career take off in such a massive way. Is it hard to keep your feet on the ground?
MB: I think my dad and the people around me keep me grounded! I think being Irish, and coming from Donegal, I’ll never get too big for my boots. I don’t think people would allow me! (laughs).
FT: Just on your background in Donegal, your history of inheriting the love of blues music from your dad is well documented. Just wondering, coming from Donegal, an area renowned for traditional music, home to Moya Brennan, Enya, Clannad and Altan and so many others. Was Traditional music never a musical path you might have pursued?
MB: Not really. I never really heard much Trad growing up. I didn’t really grow up in an area of Donegal that was really that steeped in traditional music. I love trad music, don’t get me wrong; I love going into sessions and hearing the music. I loved Moya Brennan and Clannad.
FT: Do you ever join in the sessions?
MB: No, it’s so different; I don’t think I could. I can play the blues, but I can’t do so much as others might be able to.
FT: Well, you can certainly play the blues, Muireann! So, little-known fact- growing up, you were a national champion at Ju-Jitsu, and were boxing at a decent level?
MB: Yeah, I trained in Ju-Jitsu from when I was about 10 or 11 until lockdown. Trained a bit after lockdown, but I stopped completely now. Too busy, and also, there’s a wild risk of injuring your hands, and I just can’t take that risk. But yeah, I trained for years and competed in All-Irelands. In Dublin, I competed in other countries. I loved it. And the boxing too! Started when I was about 12. I got to the National Stadium a couple of times. I never got a gold medal, but I did get to the semi-finals.
FT: But then along came Covid, and that put a halt to the training, and you took up the guitar, and really went for it! Had it not been for the pandemic, might we never have heard of Muireann Bradley?
MB: Yeah, yeah, I could be a boxer now! (laughs)
FT: Incredible to think that one of your first gigs was the Jools Holland Hootenanny, which really launched your career into a new dimension. You’re rubbing shoulders with Rod Stewart, Paul Jones, Raye, Joss Stone, Eric Bibb. I’ve seen you play several times in the last couple of years. The last time was supporting Amble in the SSE Arena in Belfast?
MB: Yeah, that was amazing. I played in the 3Arena in Dublin too, which was really amazing, getting to play to a crowd that size. I had never played to a crowd anywhere that size before. I really enjoyed it; it was fun.
FT: Do you get nervous at all? You’re saying it’s fun, but with such a huge crowd, do you get nervous?
MB: Yeah, I do get nervous. I think, to be honest, I get more nervous playing small, intimate gigs like tonight than a big arena gig.
FT: Well, the nerves didn’t show in the SSE! You came across as really confident, and chatty with the crowd. Plus, you went down a storm!
MB: Well, thank you!
FT: Your quite amazing guitar skills get so much credit and accolades, but sometimes I feel it’s at the expense of your wonderful voice. There is something strange about a young woman from Donegal singing these blues songs, which are usually associated with hardened older men, which is a bit of a conundrum. The new music goes some way to rectifying that. Singing Jackson Browne and the beautiful Daniel Johnson song, ‘Love Will Find You in the End’ allows you to showcase the softer side of your voice. Again, is that something which you want to see develop?
MB: Yeah, I think so. I think I don’t only love the blues; don’t get me wrong, it’s become part of who I am. I love Jackson Browne, and I have discovered Daniel Johnson this year, and I love that song. I do want to explore other things.
FT: Your voice is so versatile; I think you’re at a crossroads, and your career could go any way you wish, but you feel that affinity with the blues?
MB: I think so. But even if I stray away from the blues a bit, it will always be there. I think I’ll always love the Blues.
FT: Muireann, thanks for taking the time to talk to me today. I look forward to watching your career go from strength to strength!
MB: Thank you so much. It’s been a pleasure!