Artist Interview: Ultras
In anticipation of their Whelan's headline show, we sat down with the Ultras to discuss their debut single "With the Sound," the creative process, and what fans can expect from their high-energy live performances.
Q. Congratulations on your debut single "With the Sound" and headline show at Whelan's. How does it feel to be gaining momentum as a band?
A. It feels like we're doing something right. It's still early days, but we're excited to practice, we're excited to meet the lads and show them our new song, and when we combine and it works consistently, it's very rewarding.
Q. Your music is described as Irish indie rock with loud guitars and drums. What inspires your sound and style?
A. We wanna play fast, we wanna play catchy, cool, good sounding music. We want to tell a progressing story to a catchy tune. We have a love for the island, a love for the language, the people, and a love for the stories the people have to tell.
Q. You've already played sold-out shows at Workman's Cellar and Main Room. What can fans expect from your live performances?
A. We started as a group of lads that just wanted to be in a band. Beardfire's Myband programme has been a fantastic way to bring people together. We played a free-to-enter show in the cellar along with four other bands; we've done a fair few of them, four or five by now, but the last one had a fantastic energy in the room and we knew we had the right group and were ready.
As for Workman's main, we opened in a four-band show with nearing 100 people in the room for us. I'm proud to say the crowd exceeded expectations and I'm extremely grateful for that. I think I can speak for us all that it gave us the confidence to put together a show of our own, hoping to achieve our first show to truly "sell out" as you put it.
As for the live performances, if you like indie rock, Ireland, or football, you'll find something to appreciate.
Q. Your band features a high-energy live show. How do you craft your setlists and performances to engage with your audience?
A. Having a drummer and guitarist that swaps always comes into play for our setlists. We can't have the poor lads swapping every song so we try to switch as little as we have to. On the engaging side, I'm not much of a talker. We'll give the crowd a slainte as we sip our holy water, but it's all about the music. Bernard's great for a little bit of energy too and he knows when to speak up, keeping your night on track.
Q. Can you tell us about the dynamic between your band members and how you work together creatively?
A. I remember I knew Bernard from around town back as far as 2016. I'd see him around, you know, friend of a friend around Central Bank, so it was a great surprise when I saw he was also going to Beardfire rehearsal studio in Harold's Cross and it's been great to reconnect there. That place is where we all met. Luke and Bernard have been together for almost two years now, and Luke didn't always have his lovely blonde hair! Still only just 18, he's going to be a wizard.
Jack was the final piece of the puzzle, man. He came in about four months or so ago and he was exactly what we needed, a top man only 19 himself. Finally, Matthew is my personal friend who I've been close with for nearly 20 years. He would obsessively play bass back then, so it was only right to bestow him with the job of all things deep. We're all brothers who just never got to meet until now from different places around south-central Dublin.
On the creative side, Jack and I are bringing the songs to the table at the moment. We show the band our individual demos up in Temple Lane and on Instagram and we go from there. Luke's shown he knows how to get a song made and I'm sure you'll be hearing from him very soon, too. As for in the room? We play our demos on the mic in the room, everyone listens out for their parts. Bernard finds the drum pattern he wants and the other three boys are great; they can just hear the guitar and bass and find the notes they need. We're usually able to whack it out on the spot from there with the writer of the tune usually fine-tuning the structure if someone's supposed to drop out or drop in. It works like a dream and I think it's one of our strongest strengths; we work great naturally.
Q. How do you draw inspiration from your surroundings and experiences in Kildare, Ireland, and does it influence your music?
A. Nah, Kildare doesn't influence the music much. I do love to go weekly personally to see my girlfriend, who is definitely a huge influence on the music—shout out Caolin—but none of the boys are from anywhere near there.
Q. What role does collaboration play in your songwriting and recording process?
A. We're all equals here, man. Jack and I bring the mp3s of demos, but anything the boys wanna do, they can. Everyone's completely trusted to do their own job. We record together over the course of a few hours when we have something tight. I was told with playing music or more specifically a song, first you suck at it, then you hate it, then you're good at it. We all record together after those three steps are complete and it's usually a pretty quick process.
Q. How do you think your band's chemistry and camaraderie contribute to your music and live performances?
A. Does a clear sky contribute to a sunny day? It is our very essence.
Q. Your debut single "With the Sound" has generated significant buzz. Can you walk us through the creative process behind this song?
A. First of all, in our early days when it was just Bernard, Luke, and I, we had a teacher, a mentor, a friend: Ciaran of the Dumb Posh Hippies. And without him, you simply don't get "With the Sound." I started off with a demo about 2:30 minutes long, brought it to the band, and it was actually the first original I ever brought to practice, so I was quite nervous. But the boys loved it, and Ciaran worked his structural magic, making it almost four minutes long with some great highlights. We all can't thank him enough for all he did with us. Who knows, maybe we'll collaborate again one day? We're all hoping that song can do well.
Q. How do you balance the loud, energetic aspects of your music with more melodic elements?
A. I like to bring the energetic songs, Jack usually brings the rhythmic genius melodies. It balances itself quite naturally. Whoever has a tune can bring it.
Q. You've been described as the next big thing in Irish indie rock. What do you think sets you apart from other bands in the scene?
A. Whoever said that, expect a white envelope. We're just making tunes, having fun, man. It's a great passion project and it's an honor to share it with the lads. We got the skills, we're young, Bernard's got great experience. Our message is clear: Irish youth, who love a game. Listen and love it.
Q. Can you tell us about your songwriting process? Do you draw inspiration from personal experiences or external sources?
A. Both. I'm trying to use personal experience that could be relevant for many people: emigration, romance, history, spirituality, community, culture, weather, sports. These are our topics; we're just writing experiences and feelings many have seen and felt before.
Q. How do you stay motivated and focused as a band, especially with the demands of touring and performing?
A. Repetition, man. We meet and we play. We get a pint after, it's like meeting friends. In fact, it is. Who needs motivation to hang out with the boys?
Q. You've already gained attention from fans and critics alike. What are your goals for the next year, and how do you plan to achieve them?
A. The lads and I haven't extensively talked about this but I've got a feeling overseas gigs and festivals is a goal in all our eyes for next year. We'd love to be roaming.
Q. What can fans expect from your upcoming headline show at Whelan's, and will you be performing any new material?
A. Oh yeah, we're gonna have a couple brand new tunes to share. Expect to see your mate on a stage who's put on this show just for you, so treat it like a night out with your boys and we'll see ya during and after.
Q. Do you have a final message for the fans reading this?
A. Slainte to all of you, thank you so much for the continued support, it's a blessing to make music we love and for you to love it too. Hope to see you at a show sometime soon.
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