MacD on Music: Back To Life

Since the beginning of time, Ireland has been renowned for its folk music. We’ve given the world such icons as Luke Kelly, Mary and Francis Black, The Wolfe Tones and so many more.

This week, I’m talking to an artist that’s keeping this proud tradition alive, Dan McCabe, who first rose to prominence during Lockdown when he began to upload performances of some of his favourite songs to YouTube. Since then, he’s become one of the biggest concert attractions on the Irish music scene, played for the President and released an album (Back to Life) that has gone to number one on iTunes.

I spoke to Dan recently ahead of his upcoming gig in the Millennium Forum next month. First, we spoke a bit about his musical background: “It would’ve been my dad that inspired me to pick up the guitar. My dad is a folk musician, my grandfather is a folk musician, and his father is a folk musician, so there’s definitely a lineage there. It’s in my blood. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s been in my family for years.”

“Before the pandemic I’d been gigging in pubs and things like that, chasing the dream I suppose you’d call it. Obviously, there were no pubs to play in when the pandemic hit so I took a job in the hospital, just as a means to get by, and when I got home in the evenings, to escape the doom and gloom of what was going on, I’d set up my microphone and guitar and play music for the rest of the evening.

"It was my girlfriend that told me I should probably post some of these songs and that’s how it all came about. The reaction was amazing. There seems to be a real appetite for Irish music at the minute.”

Next, I asked him about the first signs that he may have finally made it: “I suppose the first sign was when the President called. I remember the day well. I was doing a Skype call and when I hung up, I had a phone call coming through. It was the President’s secretary calling and more or less asked me would I go up and sing in dedication to all the people who had lost their lives to COVID-19.

"It was a great honour, especially being a healthcare worker at that time and seeing the devastation that it caused, I really felt the weight of it. I really felt the honour that it was. I suppose that was the first moment when I realised that there was weight and an importance to what I’m doing, which was a really humbling feeling, but a really good feeling at the same time.”

“That gave me great confidence. Touring and playing live music, I would’ve suffered quite badly with anxiety and panic attacks. I used to say to myself, if it’s good enough for the President then it’s good enough for these people here tonight. I’ve always greatly respected Michael D. Higgins for the support that he shows the arts in Ireland.

"I think most artists really do feel it and most people feel it, the sincerity that he holds for the respect of Irish culture and traditions, and it meant a lot to me that he called for me and it gave me a lot of confidence going forward.”

READ MORE: MacD on Music

Finally, we talked a bit about Derry: “I’d like to say thanks to the people of Derry for continuously supporting me over the years. It’s my favourite place to come and play music. There’s a real sacred respect there. When you’re playing music, what you hope for is a connection with the audience. You’re expressing a story.

"I’m expressing my interpretation of this story and you’re hoping that it connects with another person, and they feel the same way. I’ve always got that feeling in Derry, and they’ve always made me feel very, very welcome. I can’t wait to return again. We’re playing the Millennium Forum for the second time this year. I think this is my fifth time playing the Forum and the fifth time it’s been sold out.

"To the people of Derry, thanks for always being respectful and thanks for always supporting us. I can’t wait to see you all again.”

And that’s it from Dan McCabe. His brilliant album ‘Back to Life’ is out now and features his interpretations of such classics as ‘I’m on Fire’, ‘Beeswing’, ‘Schooldays Over’ and ‘Grace’, among others. He’ll be playing at the Millennium Forum again on April 26^th and can be found on Instagram @danmccabemusic.