Dublin indie duo HEATHERS are one set of incredibly talented twins. Here they share what they can’t wait to see at CULTURE NIGHT, using music to tackle mental health issues and playing MICHAEL D. HIGGINS‘ garden parties …
1. What has it been like to tour the world as twin sisters?
We feel very lucky to have each other on tour. Touring is incredible but it can get lonely at times and having the support of one another is very important. When it comes to writing and performing, being sisters means we can be completely honest with each other. We know each other better than anyone else and I think that this ensures that we are in sync with each other. We’ve worked with many talented and lovely musicians who we have clicked with, but there’s definitely nothing like that sister bond.
2. You recorded your debut album Here Not There while also studying for your Leaving Cert, what was that like?
When we look back on that experience, we’re still totally shocked at how we managed to juggle the two, however, at the time music was our release from school and studying. Our breaks from working (which were probably far too often) were spent writing songs. Over the years, we have come to realise that we tend to work well under pressure and sometimes balancing two different parts of our lives is better than being totally consumed by just one area.
3. What was it like working on your new album with Ross Dowling (of James Vincent McMorrow fame) on your new album, Call Home?
Ross was an absolute pleasure to work with. We were big fans of his previous work and so we were delighted when we found out that he was interested to work with us on Call Home. It was a great experience working with him. He’s a very talented musician and producer. We’ve decided to do things a bit differently this time round. The album cycle from writing a record to recording it to releasing it and then touring it can take a long time, with a great deal of hanging around and waiting for things to be signed off in between. Not only do we want to be putting out music more frequently, but I think that with advances in technology and ways of consuming music, people have less time to wait around for music. There is so much out there, available at the click of a finger. We’ve also spent a great deal of the past year and a half writing new music. So for now, by putting out singles, this will allow us to be a bit more present and to get these songs heard sooner.
4. Are you looking forward to being part of Other Voices at Electric Picnic this year?
Absolutely! We’ve played at Electric Picnic a few times now and have always had an absolute ball. This will be our first time to play the Other Voices stage. There’s such a fantastic line up this year. We can’t wait!
5. Your song Forget Me Knots has been used in a number of mental health campaigns, what impact has that made on you both?
We wrote Forget Me Knots after a friend of ours took her own life. It was written mostly to ourselves and at the time we didn’t realise the impact it would have on other people. We have had countless messages from people who love the song and who feel that it has had a huge impact on their lives and this means so much to us. Mental health awareness is incredibly important to us. I (Ellie) have battled with anxiety for a number of years, which has come with so many ups and down. This, along with many other experiences with different mental health issues, has made us very aware of the importance of looking after our minds. We have worked alongside ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ since it’s launch and continue to echo it’s message that it’s OK not to feel OK and it’s incredibly important to ask for help and to talk to someone about how you are feeling.
6. You’re one of the main highlights at Culture Night this year. Can you tell us a bit about where you will be playing?
We are really looking forward to Culture Night this year. We will be playing a little set in between screenings of Song of The Sea at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin. This movie has garnered a serious amount of praise since its release but we haven’t actually seen it yet. So we are really looking forward to seeing that movie, but also playing a stripped-back set of Heathers’ tunes for the people who attend the screenings on the night. As far as we know, The Lighthouse will be screening two versions of the film on the night – one in Irish and one in English. So it’s great that the cinema – and the film creators Cartoon Saloon – are using Culture Night as a means to promote a) Irish film but also b) our native language. It should be great fun for people of all ages.
7. Having gained exposure on the Discover Ireland advertisement and been asked to be Culture Night ambassadors, do you feel it’s important for artists to promote their heritage?
We were delighted and very grateful to have been asked to be Culture Night ambassadors. Ireland is full of such rich and beautiful culture. Touring around the world has made us realise what a wonderful country we live in and promoting it’s culture is something that is very important to us.
8. Where else are you hoping to get a chance to see on Culture Night?
Áras an Uachtaráin will be open to visitors on the night which is pretty exciting. We’ve been there in the past to play at some of Michael D. Higgins garden parties, but have always wanted to do a tour of the building. This is probably top of our list! But also – The Womens Museum of Ireland tour that celebrates the role of women in Irish history. That’s definitely one that would be of interest to us.
9. What have been your favourite memories in the past of Culture Night?
Last year, I (Ellie) went to the Freemasons Hall on Molesworth Street, which I had never been to before and it was definitely one of my highlights. It was so great to see a part of the city that I would otherwise probably have never seen. The atmosphere in the city was incredible.
10. Can you tell us about any other interesting projects you have lined up for 2016/2017?
We’ve spent the majority of this summer locked up in a house in the west of Ireland writing new music. We’re going back into the studio in September and are planning to release our next single in October/November. We’re particularly excited about getting back on the road again. We have a run of gigs lined up before the end of the year in the UK and Ireland including a headline show in St. Ann’s Church, Dawson Street. We always love to play at home, so we’re really excited for this one. Next year will see new music and more touring.
In conversation with Hannah Popham
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