Lorna Keating interviews The Barley Mob. 24/06/2010
Rocking up to Slattery’s in Rathmines for a chat with The Barley Mob, winners of this year’s Rising Stars Award, I kept my eye out for lead singer Adam Daly. Holding court at the bar, the band’s charismatic front man wasn’t easy to miss and once I’d introduced myself we settled in for a good old chinwag. Having checked out the band at the recent Dublin City Soul Festival I was pleasantly surprised to find Adam as magnetic in person as on stage. We started off by talking about his enthusiasm for music and how far The Barley Mob have come in just ten weeks from their formation. “I’m on two hours sleep a night at the moment” admits Adam “But I love it – playing live and promoting the band is my mission now.” An experienced musician, Adam’s played guitar on tour with Jack L, joining him for Glastonbury 2007, amongst others, but he explains why having his own band is so special. “We really enjoy events like the Soul Festival” he says “As well as small gigs like this – we want to reach out to as many people as possible.” The Barley Mob are here tonight for a fundraising gig to support a friend with her humanitarian aid in Uganda. Adam says he’s happiest when on stage – whether big or small.
Photograph by Chris Maher (c)
Non-stop activity seems to suit Adam’s effervescent personality as he talks me through the bands recent jaunts. “We’re just back from the No Place Like Dome Festival in Sligo” he says “It was amazing – so many creative people! It was fancy dress so I wore my cowboy hat…” Tall and lean, Adam has great stage presence so I imagine the hat sets off his rock persona perfectly, but he laughs modestly when I mention this! He talks me through their upcoming gigs which include the IndieGo World Music Festival in Waterford, in which The Barley Mob are competing in the Hoping to Open play off – the winners will open the festival. “Here’s an interesting one” he adds “We’re playing on top of an old school bus outside Captain America’s in Blanchardstown on Saturday!” It’s evident that Adam’s great ability to connect with people is the driving force behind the band, being as active online as he is at buzzing around town. His singing and guitar is backed up by guitarist Andrew Moore, a school friend who’s been on the music scene for many years, with Johnny McCormack on bass and Neil Butler on drums. The Barley Mob are a formidable line up.
Its Adam’s love of song writing that spurred him on to form The Barley Mob, as he tells me about the origins of their reggae infused sound. “Well, I’ve basically been writing since I was a kid” he explains “And I think there’s something about reggae that people can relate to – the lyrics talk to you.” Adam tells me how he lost his brother, who was just 20, when he was 11 and the impact this had on him. “He said to me “You’ll never be lost when you’ve got music” and that’s always stayed with me.” Indeed many of his songs come from the heart and delivered in his unique gravely voice, the words resonate around Slattery’s. Adam and Andrew play an acoustic set in the absence of their band mates and their energy is palpable as they launch with “I Wonder” a beautiful ballad about change of perspective, which ramps up to high tempo half way through. Next up are “Mr Government Man” and “Medicine Man” both songs that showcase Adam’s song writing talent brilliantly, as he taps into the zeitgeist of modern Ireland. If a voice for his generation were needed Adam Daly certainly fits the bill with his sharp observations and soulful delivery.
Photograph by Kate Turner (c)
The pair are joined onstage by fellow musicians Jonathan and Conor and an impromptu jam is born with a rousing rendition of “You’ll Never Be Lost If You’ve Got Music” which totally engages the crowd. Last up is “We Go The Distance” a song about the spirit of the Irish people. Hearing this I can see why Adam channels his words through a reggae beat as the sentiment of many of his songs is similar to that of the genres biggest stars, hence the bands name! Wrapping up on a high note the boys announce their upcoming gigs onstage and of course one last push for the fundraising they’re supporting. Delighted with their reception tonight, Adam says “I want to do this all over the country. And then the world!” He adds that it’s baby steps at the moment but with his ambition and talent it seems it won’t be long before The Barley Mob are a regular fixture on the music scene. Studio recording time at Phonic Studio’s is part of their prize as winners of the Dublin City Soul Festival Rising Stars Award, so laying down some tracks is next on the agenda. As Adam sings in one of his harmonies “Only time will tell who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell” I’m certain that The Barley Mob will gain a religious following before they know it…
Check out this mobile phone youtube footage of the lads on stage at the Soul Picnic 2010…
The Barley Mob at the Zodiac Sessions…
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Hi to all,
Just thought I’d kick this off here with saying thank you to Chris Maher for doing me the honor of using a photo of mine !
Need I say it but, a huge thank you to Adam, Andrew and Neil for effectively adopting me into the exclusive band camp that is The Barley Mob and everything that goes with it.
Life has taken on new meaning in terms of my ultimate goal in life and everyone else (apart from the above) has been amazing and each have played their own part in sowing the seeds to success.
Lots of love
Kate x