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11 Oct 2025

MacD on Music: 'One Word Stories'

Folk troubadour Matt McIvor talks about his his debut album ‘One Word Stories’, and his journey so far

MacD on Music: 'One Word Stories'

Matt McIvor. (Jamie Nash)

Sometimes, the best songs come from the simplest subjects. The mundane, everyday stuff of life has led to the creation of some of the best music over the years, and this week I’m speaking to someone who is keeping this tradition alive, Matt McIvor.

Matt is a folk troubadour who has recently released his debut album ‘One Word Stories’, featuring contributions from the likes of Peter Mulvey, Sarah McCreedy, AOIBHA and Lucy Bell. I caught up with Matt to talk a bit about the album and his journey so far.

“I’ve been playing music for about twenty years but didn’t record anything until we got to the pandemic. While everybody else was making banana bread and hoarding toilet rolls, I decided I’d make that album I’ve been putting off for a really long time. I’ve been playing guitar most of my adult life.

"I came up through church, and playing in all sorts of bands there. I played in a load of cover bands, a load of wedding bands, then got tired of doing that and decided that it would be a really great idea to give it a go for myself. I’ve given most things a go. I play in a couple of different bands too. I got really excited by the people I was collaborating with and was like ‘I think it’s time to put out some songs of my own’ and during Lockdown I got started on that. It’s taken about five years to put out a debut album, but I finally got there.”

Asked how he describes his music: “I would say it’s alternative folk, which is a real slabber of a title. It sounds like I should be wearing a tweed waistcoat and a flat cap. I basically try to make acoustic guitar-based music with stories. That’s my favourite thing in the lyrics so that’s what I’m looking for. I like music where there’s lyrics and a guitar so that’s what I’m offering.”

I asked Matt who he would consider his main influences: “I definitely grew up taking a lot of my parents’ music taste. People like Paul Simon, Dire Straits, Phil Collins, then as I got into my teens I was listening to Pearl Jam, Nirvana, all that grunge stuff, a bit of metal. I very much grew up in that singer/songwriter vibe. I take a lot especially from Paul Simon, the way he would articulate himself, that kind of thing. He would probably be my biggest influence.”

Next, we spoke about the feedback to the album so far: “People like the honesty on it. I’m really bad at holding back. Whenever I write songs I tend to write from the heart. I tend to write whenever my friends are upset. It appears that kind of honesty, that getting straight to the point, has come across well with a lot of people, and they’ve really enjoyed hearing the whole story.”

Obviously, I had to follow up by asking how his friends feel about being the subject of his songs: “There’s a singer down south called Bea Stewart and anytime she does a concert she says ‘Before we get started, I’m not telling you who any of these are about’ and I feel like I should do the same at the start of mine.

"Sometimes, people are flattered that you’ve thought enough of them to write a song. Sometimes you have to be a little bit cagey with the details or you’ve just had to gird around being too specific so that you don’t give too much away. You don’t want to embarrass anybody or get anyone into trouble.”

And that’s it from Matt McIvor. His debut album ‘One Word Stories’ is available now on all good streaming platforms.

Now, onto other business, and there’s a lot this week. First, we have two of Derry’s finest in a pair of double headline shows. Polar Bolero and tessio. will be playing in the Ulster Sports Club this Thursday (16th) and Sandino’s this Sunday (19th). Both groups are known for their brilliant live shows so these aren’t to be missed. Tickets are on Eventbrite for £11.55.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

Speaking of Polar Bolero, their new single ‘Soar’, from their upcoming EP, is out this Friday.

Next, CHERYM, who, last Friday, released their new song ‘Sofa Bed’, a collaboration with Scottish group Uninvited. It’s available now on all good streaming services.

Another gig, this one on Thursday (16th). Belfast-based Consolers will be playing Sandino’s with support from rOwdy. Fresh off the release of their third single ‘Sink On In’, Composure plays “guitar driven, hook heavy music that evokes comparisons with alt-rock, punk-pop and hazy memories of a Friday night at the Bronze in Sunnydale”. Tickets are £7.01 on Eventbrite.

The last new song this week comes from Emma White, who’s latest single ‘Struck Gold’ was released last Friday. The song is a “bright, high-energy pop/dance track about self-worth and that euphoric moment when everything finally clicks” and is available now on all good streaming platforms.

And now, the final of this week’s gigs: Galway band Numbskull Narrative will be making their Derry debut this Friday (17th). The Green Day tribute gig features support from Letterkenny band Stitch and Derry’s own Shasma (who’s latest single ‘Employee of the Month’ is out now. Check out the video on YouTube) and promises “ all the classics, all the energy and all the sing-along anthems you love”. Tickets are £7 on allevents.in.

Finally, time for the socials. Working backwards, Numbskull Narrative can be found on Instagram @numbskullnarrative, Stitch @stitch_band_official, Shasma @shasma.music, Emma White @emmawhiteex, Consolers @consolersband, rOwdy @r0wdy_band, Uninvited @officialuninvited, CHERYM @cherymofficial, Polar Bolero @polerobolero, tessio. @tessio__ and Matt McIvor @mattymcivor.

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