MacD on Music: Ephade Into You

Over the years, Donegal has given us a lot of great music, from legends like Clannad and Enya, to more recent groups such as Foreign Owl, TRAMP and, star of last week’s column, George Houston.

This week, I’m talking to another fast-rising Donegal group, The Ephades. The group, made up of Grace Nugent (bass), Grace Murphy (vocals/rhythm guitar), Kyle Warner (lead guitar) and Cahir Doyle (drums), have just released their latest single ‘Rather Be With You’, “a sharp-edged yet emotionally charged release that captures the relentless spirit of a band going from strength to strength with each track they bring out”. The song’s lyrics “explores themes of youth, naivety and uncertainty” and it’s “propelled by an instrumental that almost effortlessly flows in and out of light-hearted grooves and intense breakdowns that add to the grit of the song’s foundation”.

Recently, I caught up with the two Graces to talk about the group and the song. Grace Murphy: “This one was written quite a while ago. I don’t know exactly when, but I think Grace had a wee bassline going, then Kyle came in and made the wee melody for it. We loved it straight away and we definitely knew we had to put it out, so we worked on it and worked on it then recorded it in Belfast and here it is now.”

Grace Nugent: “Every time, our work keeps improving from our first song that we put out. I see from what Grace is writing herself, her lyrics are just getting more mature as we grow older as a band. We’re playing a show in Whelan’s supporting Lazember, so we’re going to different venues and different counties and just growing as a band. We’ve played things like Oakfest and stuff that was great as well, but to go to Dublin and Whelan’s is a different ballgame all together.”

Recently, the band played Moonfest, a tribute gig for the late, great Paul Mooney of Boy M5. Grace M: “That was a really great one. We played it last year as well. It’s important to us as a band to celebrate not even Paul as a musician but as a person as well. He was just a great guy and it’s a lovely way to celebrate him.”

READ MORE: MacD on Music

Grace N: “He helped record our second single ‘Juggernaut’, so we spent a lot of time with him and considered him one of our friends. It was such a good night, to have all the musicians come together and make something that is unfortunately very sad into a positive and celebrate his life.”

Next, I asked what sort of reception they’ve been receiving so far. Grace M: “Every time we do a show, we play the music we already have out, but if we play a new song that’s not even out yet, the reception’s always amazing, and we feed off that. That’s how we knew we had to put this one [Rather Be With You] out. It’s one that’s been received very well every time we play it.”

I asked if there’s any plans for an album or an EP. Grace N: “We’re thinking about it. We’re currently trying to get back on our feet because we just finished school. We’re all at college and doing our own thing, but we’re hoping that we’ll get some songs written in the summer when we’re all back in Donegal.”

Next, we spoke about the recording process. Grace N: “We go to Start Together studios in Belfast. Michael Bell is our producer. We met him for our third single and he’s such a genius, so we had to go back to him. It’s a really good studio as well, good gear and they make you feel comfortable. It’s a great environment for us to get creative.”

Grace M: “It’s very comfortable now. Something just feels right when we go there, and [Michael] knows what we like.”

Finally, I asked about their plans for the future. Grace N: “hopefully, now that the song’s out, the momentum will keep building. We’ve got Dunfanaghy Jazz and Blues in September, and we’re hoping to get a few more gigs during the summer.”

Grace M: “The song will hopefully push things along, because even in terms of Spotify interaction, it’s hard to keep the fire going when there’s a dip in engagement.”

Grace N: “Highland Radio would be unreal for us. They always play our songs and hopefully we’ll be getting an interview set up because they’re so fantastic for local bands. Hopefully, they’ll keep supporting us and other smaller artists.”

And that’s it from The Ephades. Their new single ‘Rather Be With You’ is out now on all good streaming services. They’ll be playing Whelan’s in Dublin this Thursday supporting Lazember, along with Ciara McShane. Tickets are available at whelanslive.com.

Now, onto other business. This Saturday (28th March) will see NI Music Prize winner Dani Larkin playing the Old School House at St. Augustine’s for an acoustic session in support of her latest album ‘Next of Kin’ (out now). The album, co-produced with Ruth O’Mahony Brady (Gorillaz, The Frames), “is an ambitious and deeply emotive body of work.

A sonic and lyrical exploration of life’s most universal milestones-from the innocence of birth to the acceptance of life’s end”.

Tickets are £10 via eventbrite.co.uk and doors are 7.30pm.

Finally, time for the socials. Dani Larkin can be found on Instagram @dani_larkin_ and The Ephades @the.ephades.