Folk Radio UK has always been a fan of musicians that push boundaries – it’s at the fringes where that freedom of unhindered expression often leads to the creation of something fresh and unique – It gave us the likes of LAU, Lankum and Bonny Light Horseman to name just a few. While having been influenced by the traditions and folklore of the past, Northern Irish trio ‘TRÚ’ are not anchored by it, instead, they bring a fresh interpretation to their music, breathing new life into songs from the past. This, they ably demonstrate on Bonny Portmore, a live video for which we have the pleasure of sharing today along with news of their debut album.
The trú was a mythological trio of poet-musicians in ancient Ulster. They were revered throughout Ireland, some believing their songs and stories came to them from the future. Others maintained that the trú were possessed by spirits during performance. As such, they were considered gatekeepers to the Otherworld.
It’s here ‘TRÚ’ draw their inspiration. Dónal Kearney, Zach Trouton and Michael Mormecha are unique as artists in their own right. Growing up learning songs from the sean nós tradition, Dónal is a songwriter in the folk tradition and has recorded as a soloist on video game soundtracks including Xenoblade 2 (Nintendo) and World of Warcraft. Multi-instrumentalist Michael is also an in-demand producer and recently released his second solo album ‘See Sea’ following a successful Kickstarter campaign (his critically-acclaimed first album ‘LOFi LiFE’ received a prestigious Northern Ireland Music Prize nomination). Having collaborated with both, Zach brought the trio together. His contemporary approach to arrangement showcases an eclectic musical palate (everything from math-rock to choral harmony) and a passion for folklore. Their collective chemistry has been enchanting audiences with powerful storytelling and songcraft since.
From Gaelic Waulking songs and Scots lullabies to vengeful Japanese spirits and other mysterious characters, debut album ‘No Fixed Abode’ (due May 2021) draws inspiration from centuries of folklore in Ireland, Britain and beyond. These are stories told with a contemporary voice. There is nothing traditional about TRÚ except the songs themselves.
Trú on Bonny Portmore:
Bonny Portmore is one of the oldest songs in our repertoire, dating from the 1600s. I grew up just 10 miles from the source of the song, but only came across it a few years ago through Bert Jansch’s ‘Ornament Tree’ album. Its simple beauty caught my ear. We recorded this video before the current situation, on a beautiful summer’s evening outside the studio where we recorded our album. The birdsong is a perfect accompaniment.
No Fixed Abode is due for release in May 2021.
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