There’s more to Irish twins Ellie and Louise Macnamara than their shared DNA. The sisters are also band mates, churning out melodic folk-pop songs under the name Heathers. Already gaining traction in Ireland and the U.K., Heathers have supported the likes of Kimya Dawson of the Moldy Peaches and crooner Paolo Nutini.
ANDPOP caught up with the duo as they performed an acoustic version of “Forget Me Knot” from their new album Kingdom at Toronto’s An Sibin Irish pub. The Macnamara twins also took the time to explain the deep personal meaning behind the song, as well as chat about who has inspired them the most.
ANDPOP is filming a very special episode of Making Waves with the Irish duo Heathers and we want you there!
If you’re Irish or just a big fan of good music, then make sure to visit Toronto’s An Sibin Irish pub on Monday April 15th to watch the magic happen.
Here are the dirty deets:
Who: ANDPOP and Ellie and Louise Macnamara of Heathers
What: ANDPOP will be filming and interviewing Heathers and we want you there!
Where: An Sibin Irish Pub (709 Queen Street East) *This is an ALL AGES EVENT*
When: Monday April 15th. Filming starts before 7:30, please arrive before then
ABOUT HEATHERS:
Acoustic folk duo Heathers is comprised of twin sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara.
The two released their first album Here, Not There in 2010 where their melodic hooks and unique voices caught the critics’ attention. Since then, Heathers have gone on two extensive summer tours with included stints supporting the likes of Kimya Dawson of the Moldy Peaches and Scottish singer Paolo Nutini.
Heathers will soon release their sophomore album Kingdom on April 16th. Listen to album’s first single, “Forget Me Knots” below!
In a brand-spanking new episode of MAKING WAVES, blues musician ZZ Ward shows off her musical prowess with this acoustic performance of her hit song, “Put the Gun Down.”
The blues musician credits her childhood growing up on the farm in Oregon for her start. Being a half hour away from the nearest town gave her the time to be creative. “I really ended up getting into music just to kind of entertain myself,” she says.
According to Ward, it was the sincerity and emotions of the blues that really caught her attention. “The stories they were singing about and the emotions that you could feel in the music,” explained Ward. “[Their voices] just oozed that emotions.”
Her passion for her craft has even translated to her wardrobe. Ward’s signature fedora is more than just a fashion statement—it’s her own personal homage to all the blues artists she listened to growing up. “It’s just the perfect hat for me, I guess.”
To hear more about what it was like to grow up in Oregon, causing a ruckus with all her friends and what makes the blues so magical to her, watch the latest installment of MAKING WAVES below!
It’s no surprise Diamond Rings takes a strong creative license over his unique sound and image, considering he started out by recording and distributing his songs in his bedroom. He’s someone who stands out both musically and artistically in a visually saturated culture — something he feels is important.
“I think it’s really important to take ownership over every facet of what it is to be a muscian in 2012,” he said in an interview with ANDPOP. ”The more I can do on my own to shape who I am and to shape what people think of me the better.”
Now that he’s gaining even more acclaim from fans and music critics, his work is done on a grander scale. To keep himself challenged creatively he’s involving others in the process, or “trying to” he laughs.
The artist performed an acoustic version of “All The Time” at Toronto’s Drake and gave some solid advise for aspiring musicians, or really, anyone in the artistic community.
“I would advise anyone starting out who has a love of music,” he said “to follow their hearts and not be afraid to trust intuition and trust their instincts, and not be afraid to try those things that seem crazy.”
He added: “If your heart is in the right place good things will start to happen.”
Watch it here
Diamond Rings: All The Time (Acoustic Performance) from ANDPOP on Vimeo.
While Of Monsters and Men had musical aspirations, they never dreamed they’d be full time musicians.
“I always wanted to do it but it just felt silly to say it because it’s just so unrealistic,” said vocalist and guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir.
The six piece indie folk band experienced swift success after winning a national battle of the bands competition in Iceland back in 2010. Since then their single “Little Talks” from their debut studio album My Head Is An Animal has topped Billboard’s alternative chart.
The group performed a live acoustic session of “Mountain Sound” for Making Waves. They told ANDPOP they never intended to make an album at first — they just wanted to write songs and word quickly spread.
They also had some apt advice for musicians. While many artists throw off romantic affirmations like “follow your dreams,” vocalist and guitarist Ragnar Þórhallsson is a little more practical: “Do it because you want to do it and make music that you yourself like and not that you think everyone else will like,” he said. “Like my dad always says, just keep on keeping on.”
Watch it here
In this episode of ‘Making Waves’ Caity sits down with Professor Green! The man, the legend, the insomniac. He also addresses his close call with some A**hole who stabbed him. Even after all this, he still manages to keep putting out great music. Well played Mr. Green, well played.
Watch Here:
Caite caught up with Eric Cannata from Young the Giant and they talked about how Glee’s interpretation of “Cough Syrup” had a positive influence on someone he personally knew. Speaking of high school, Eric describes what each of the bandmates were like in high school and busts the rumour about Payam hacking into the school system! FYI Eric Cannata’s name totally sounds like Air Canada if you say it fast.
