This Bird Has Flown
Her new record deals with locations, space and social upheaval: themes Wallis Bird knows only too well, as she discusses her artistic life and times with Craig Fitzpatrick
Craig Fitzpatrick, 03 Apr 2012
I nab Wallis Bird stage left in the curtained and cosy Live Room at The Music Show, moments after she wraps up a typically enthralling performance of her intricate yet raw folk. Still slightly breathless, the diminutive singer is nevertheless expecting me, all smiles. She’s also thankfully ready to talk, and by the end of our lengthy conversation, is apologising for talking quite so much, putting it down to “too much smoke.” The only problem? It would appear the one thing that the endlessly active Music Show doesn’t have is very many quiet areas. Go figure. So we wander through the cavernous venue, our progress slowed by young, beaming fans stopping Wallis every few feet. She has time for them all.
We finally end up in an empty space, plonked on the hard floor behind some boxes which shield us from the noise. Back in Ireland to start the campaign for her third album, the Meath-born, Wexford-bred star is currently based in London, though it’s in her nature to flit from place to place. In a Hot Press article some four years ago, she seemed particularly fond of her Brixton abode, which she described as “the best house in the universe.” Does she remain there to this day?
“Well, I got dumped…” she starts as my heart sinks. “So I had to move out of that house shortly afterwards! It was amazing when I had that article in Hot Press and then I had to leave the place less than two weeks later. It was really nice to have that piece though and I still go back regularly because my mates still live there. I’m in East London now, the Bethnal Green area.”
The life of a touring musician means you seldom stand still out of sheer necessity, but Wallis Bird has always had that wanderlust.
“I get really, really tired by habitual surroundings,” she nods. “When I’m home for too long I get very, very itchy. I get antsy. So I tend to move around quite a bit. Ever since I left school I was just eager to go… anywhere. It’s getting out and meeting different people and cultures, that’s where I think all my inspiration comes from.”
Page 1/4 <Previous 1 2 3 4 Next>
Craig Fitzpatrick
Latest Articles by Craig Fitzpatrick
A force to be reckoned with in political comedy, things have become awfully personal for Marcus Brigstocke recently. With his extra-marital affair in the papers and his 40th birthday looming, it could be worse. He used to moonlight as a podium dancer whilst working on an oil rig...
2013-05-13
He’s got a lyrical eye for detail and melodist’s ear for a hook...
2013-05-13
Ruban Nielson fondly remembers nu-soul as his ’60s and should probably tour less. “I just go off the rails”, admits Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Kiwi conductor...
2013-05-03
After a year of both sold-out gigs and death threats, it’s little wonder that Frank Turner’s fifth solo album finds him in reflective form. The English troubadour tells us why Mick Jagger is a fraud and why he won’t touch Margaret Thatcher “with a fucking bargepole!”
2013-05-02
’80s-inflected Dublin act Vann Music are still in that musical honeymoon period. The secret? “Synths, and lots of them!”
2013-04-29
It’s big and it’s clever as New Yorkers call rock’s bluff...
2013-04-25 - REVIEW
They’ve featured on Grey’s Anatomy and rubbed shoulders with British politicians and Pixies alike. Gary Barlow is gushing over them on Twitter, while Julian Lennon enjoys photographing their soundchecks. With their debut album ready and several high profile summer festival dates confirmed, a fast-rising Kodaline have certainly come a long way from the earlier “fucking awful” teen incarnation that battled it out on You’re A Star...
2013-04-23 - Interview
If you’re looking for the soundtrack to your summer, sibling duo Wild Belle might be just the ticket. Big bro Elliot Bergman talks Michael Jackson moves, lipstick-covered saxophones and having half of Talking Heads on speed dial...
2013-04-18 - Interview
Not many artists would choose this venue for their first Dublin headline shows but the quirkiness and scale of the Little Museum suit Bridie Monds-Watson down to the ground...
2013-04-15 - REVIEW
They’ve lost a member, added one, started singing, and let in a little joy. With All Hail Bright Futures, an “absolutely fearless” And So I Watch You From Afar aim to prove why they’re still the jewel in the North’s rock crown...
2013-04-11 - Interview
Storming Electric Picnic, shaking hands with Jay Leno and hailed as hometown heroes where once they were considered outsiders, Iceland’s Of Monsters & Men have come a long way in a short time...
2013-04-08 - Interview
Ahead of appearing at a UL symposium on women and rock music, one-time riot grrrl and current doctor Helen Reddington tells Craig Fitzpatrick about chronicling the lost history of feminist punk...
2013-04-05 - Interview
Ahead of appearing at a UL symposium on women and rock music, one-time riot grrrl and current doctor Helen Reddington tells Hot Press about chronicling the lost history of feminist punk...
2013-04-04 - Interview
Back with new album One Way Mirror, Dirty Epics talk nerdy fans and standing alone in sound...
2013-04-02 - Interview
Conor O'Brien & Co. make a triumphant return home...
2013-04-02 - REVIEW
Returning to Dublin next week, OFFSET is an important event for creatives. Organiser Peter O’Dwyer talks about the exciting speeches in store, the impetus behind its creation and his highlights over the past half-decade...
2013-04-02 - Frontlines
The Script just keep on getting bigger. In the middle of the Irish three-pieces six sell-out Dublin and Belfast shows, a straight-shooting Mark Sheehan takes time out to talk about the excesses of life on the road, why HMV failed, getting serenaded by Paul McCartney, the controversy over Rihanna and Chris Brown – and the emotional impact of current album, #3. WARNING: This article may contain swearing...
2013-03-26 - Interview
Another exciting prospect on 4AD, Daughter are a London trio tipped for big things. Guitarist Igor Haefeli opens up about his enigmatic frontwoman and their penchant for the darker side of sound...
2013-03-21 - Interview
Leaving the trappings of dubstep behind him, James Blake returns from a year “sat at home” with his first album after the hype. Ignoring external pressures, topping ‘Limit To Your Love’ and falling in love are on the agenda...
2013-03-11 - Interview
Getting weepy over the new MBV album, recording in The Horrors’ studio and juggling touring with the day-job. The History Of Apple Pie’s Stephanie Min tells Craig Fitzpatrick about life with her boyfriend in their noise-pop outfit...
2013-03-11 - Interview
A single drum is thumped furiously, a trumpet plays an off-kilter melody that sounds like a heart sinking. It’s a grand, daring closer: enough to make your head spin, no instructions required...
2013-03-01 - REVIEW
As Good Cake Bad Cake – The Story Of LiR opens, director Shimmy Marcus talks about immortalising the Dublin band and bassist Rob Malone remembers their heroic failure...
2013-03-01 - Frontlines
Once dramatically changed the lives of its two lead actors, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, catapulting them to international stardom, an Oscar win and widespread critical claim. As the stage adaptation of the film hits Dublin, the principal characters explore the show’s remarkable back story, whilst director John Tiffany and writer Enda Walsh talk about fashioning a production that became a Broadway smash...
2013-02-28 - Interview
Appearing on national TV in the UK with only a single under their belts and being compared to every guitar hope from The Clash to The Libertines, Palma Violets have the world at their feet. Craig Fitzpatrick uncovers the band’s Celtic connection, as he catches up with ‘half-Irish’ sticksman Will Doyle and talks autographs from Lana, hating the studio and quitting the day job.....
2013-02-28 - Interview
Plenty of killer, little filler as The Cribs celebrate a decade.
2013-02-28 - REVIEW
The Snow Patrol frontman is back in the studio with his Tired Pony collective...
2013-02-28 - News
Tired of mind games, Everything Everything now look to tug the heart strings. Singer Jonathan Higgs talks big gestures, inertia in rock, living forever as a computer and, as Arc rockets up the charts, admits that he's not too embarrassed to purchase a record with his face on the cover.
2013-02-28 - Interview
Eager to shake off ‘new New Order’ tags, Delphic absconded to a Chesire barn to follow-up their hype-inducing debut. Claiming they’re now the ‘new nothing’ as they release their second, Matt Cocksedge wonders where the party poppers are.
2013-02-28 - Interview
Once considered a bastion of mainstream pop, the Late Late Show’s music policy is being reinvigorated. Music supervisor Dermot McEvoy explains
2013-02-06 - Frontlines
They’ve lost a bassist, toured the world, and been living in Aaron Dessner’s attic. Local Natives’ Taylor Rice tells Craig Fitzpatrick about an extraordinary couple of years.
2013-02-05 - Interview
Meet Bridie Monds-Watson. She thinks Villagers “look like elves”, loves dinosaurs and disarms one and all, aged 16, with her aching, offbeat songs. She reckons one-word names feel “like a slap”, so remember hers. Ladies and gentlemen, Soak.
2013-01-28 - Interview
Don’t you love it when a non-existent plan comes together? Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers ponders how their humble ambitions and brand of rustic Americana are making them massive.
2013-01-24 - Interview
Rock star fans, major label contracts and incendiary live shows. Craig Fitzpatrick grabs some fast food with fast-rising Cavan teens The Strypes. photo Graham Keogh
2013-01-23 - Interview
Meet Bridie Monds-Watson. She thinks Villagers “look like elves”, loves dinosaurs and disarms one and all, aged 16, with her aching, offbeat songs. She reckons one-word names feel “like a slap”, so remember hers. Ladies and gentlemen, Soak.
2013-01-21 - Interview
Sometimes it ain’t the calmest in the eye of the storm. Danny O’Donoghue brings Craig Fitzpatrick up to speed on The Script’s whirlwind 2012, taking in drinking lessons with Tom Jones and supplying some sunshine in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
2013-01-18 - Interview
Tarantino throws a strop and Aengus Mac Grianna goes international as the internet turns 30...
2013-01-18 - Reports
The run up to Christmas was extra special for Delorentos fans who not only got to spend some intimate time with their heroes, but also sampled Jameson’s legendary hospitality
2013-01-17 - REVIEW
Missing presumed working for an entire summer (!), Pat Byrne, inaugural winner of The Voice Of Ireland, is heading in his own direction.
2013-01-09 - Interview
Cool enough to impress his teenage daughter and without the fear factor of earlier years, Paddy Casey returns with his favourite lyrical offering yet. Not bad for a ‘crusty folkie head’.
2012-12-20 - Interview
Sufjan’s annual Sonic Santa stop-offs under one tree...
2012-12-20 - REVIEW
Our sole silver medallist at London 2012, John Joe Nevin recalls his bittersweet time at the Olympic Games, a celebratory homecoming and why he reversed his decision to go pro.
2012-12-18 - Interview
He once was an AC/DC acolyte but the velvet-voiced Gavin James hopes to end his days as a Vegas crooner. The young Dubliner who got Adele’s manager rocking talks to Craig Fitzpatrick...
2012-11-28 - Interview
Gothic chanteuse drops her veil.
2012-11-16 - REVIEW
As American Idiot: The Musical makes its way to Dublin, one of the stars tells Craig Fitzpatrick what’s in store...
2012-11-06 - Frontlines
The real voice of Ireland is back. After over four years of seeing the world and grappling with a ‘dark’ bout of creative uncertainty, Damien Dempsey returns to soothe the soul of a depressed nation...
2012-11-01 - News
Right now, two is the magic number. As Heathers’ release the follow-up to their breakthrough debut, Ellie and Louise Macnamara tell Craig Fitzpatrick about growing up, gaining a band and taking up boxing. Also featuring: David Guetta, The Spice Girls and a man with 20 cats...
2012-10-25 - Interview
It’s fair to say I do not have Beth Orton’s undivided attention. I’m asking the questions, she’s in her London kitchen, making soda bread.
2012-10-19 - Interview
Hanging with Stephen Colbert and the joy of collaboration are on the agenda as Grizzly Bear’s Daniel Rossen explains how they’re now a different band.
2012-10-05 - Interview
A comedian with no country, Jimeoin talks Australia, returning to Ireland and why Johnny Rotten is better than Gandhi...
2012-10-05 - Interview
Returning with new material after revisiting their classic Screamadelica live, Primal Scream’s Andrew Innes talks missing Mani, loving Dublin... and Guinness-and-sushi diets.
2012-10-02 - Interview
Brooklyn band on a run follow breakthrough with a masterpiece
2012-10-02 - REVIEW
A stand-up, Saturday Night TV star and now triathlonist, John Bishop still reckons his mates are far funnier than he is.
2012-10-02 - Interview
He now rubs shoulders with Hollywood’s comedy A-list but is Chris O’Dowd really an expert dancer and extremely well-endowed to boot? With his Roscommon-set comedy Moone Boy on the way the funnyman opens up to Craig Fitzpatrick.
2012-09-14 - Interview
Alabama Shakes, The Maccabees and The Vaccines did their thing...
2012-09-10 - REVIEW
Enough to plaster a grin on your face for the rest of the weekend...
2012-09-10 - REVIEW
Another one-to-watch from the extremely fertile Cork scene, on their debut album The Hard Ground mix intimate lyrical conversations with lavish string quartets
2012-08-28 - Interview
Rock star hotels and Victoria's Secret pool party's are all on the menu as The Vaccines 'come of age' in style.
2012-08-28 - Interview
Now finding contentment in the quiet, the wayfaring Mark Geary returns home with fresh songs of hushed beauty.
2012-08-03 - Interview
Back in the recessionary ’70s, the US sales concept of “two for the price of one” finally found it’s way into supermarkets throughout the UK and Ireland. Shoppers rejoiced, the world spun off its money-wheel axis and then... nothing. Until now.
2012-08-01 - REVIEW
We spoke to the Irish sailing hopeful a few months back...
2012-08-01 - News
Explosives, firearms, disused office blocks and Stephen Street. Craig Fitzpatrick meets Funeral Suits.
2012-08-01 - Interview
Oscar-winner Terry George is one of the most important – and creatively successful – film directors in Ireland. Now, with Whole Lotta Sole, he is moving into a new phase of his career.
2012-07-25 - Interview
As the influential Haçienda DJ who first booked The Stone Roses, Mike Pickering knows the band like the back of his hand. He recalls the extraordinary highs of the Madchester phenomenon.
2012-07-06 - Interview
Personal growth, spreading your artistic wings and The Occupy Movement are all on the agenda as Duke Special returns with his first ‘straight’ release in four years.
2012-07-03 - Interview
He met his beloved music press to announce his Marlay Park show.
2012-06-26 - News
Based in Galway for nearly five years, rising star Daithí is just the man to give us a whirlwind tour around the City of the Tribes. The fresh-faced, intriguingly experimental artist from Clare confirms Galway’s reputation as a hotbed for the arts and a real student town, whilst picking out his prime places to eat, drink, be merry, catch a live show and perhaps buy something vinyl, something vintage during your time in the beautiful west.
2012-06-21 - Reports
The man who captured iconic snaps of Manchester’s legends, Kevin Cummins is integral to the stories of everyone from Joy Division to The Stone Roses. Now he unveils his Smiths collection...
2012-06-20 - Interview
The geeks have inherited the earth and it sounds glorious.
2012-06-18 - REVIEW
With another Heineken Cup added to his list of rugby honours, Leinster and Ireland wing forward Jamie Heaslip tells Craig Fitzpatrick that he has little time to reflect on success – but plenty to prank team-mate Cian Healy.
2012-06-18 - Interview
Their second album’s here after seven long years so what have Hal been up to? Getting lost, riding the studio “merry-go-round” and using the sea as a chat-up line.
2012-06-14 - Interview
Adored for his no-nonsense style and accused of shock jock tactics in equal measure, this year Victor Barry celebrates a decade at Red FM. The host of Cork Talks Back steps away from the mic for a chat with Craig Fitzpatrick. The topics? Exploding penises, indecent exposure – and planning to piss on the Blarney Stone with Russell Brand.
2012-06-13 - Interview
Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino on being a role model, having Brian Wilson for competition and the dangers of drinking and tweeting.
2012-06-06 - Interview
An acclaimed songwriter, Josh Ritter has now ventured into the world of fiction. He talks religion, writing on the road and words from Stephen King with Craig Fitzpatrick.
2012-06-05 - Interview
A small, neglected country, precariously placed in the world’s poorest region, Malawi has a troubled past and an uncertain future. Now, at a time of potential revolution, as a loathed leader gives way to their first female president, Hot Press meets Aidan Clohessy, an Irishman who is doing his bit to usher in an era of change.
2012-06-01 - Frontlines
An Irishman’s ‘New York Year’ yields musical gifts for the folks back home
2012-05-31 - REVIEW
Having re-emerged as a live concern two years ago, Neil Barnes of Leftfield tells Craig Fitzpatrick about his return and plans for a third album.
2012-05-30 - Interview
They’ve parted ways with Hooky but that special aura still exists around New Order, a pioneering dance rock act that have penned some of the greatest tunes of all time. Craig Fitzpatrick salutes the legendary Forbidden Fruit headliners.
2012-05-30 - Interview
hotpress.com
Blogs on hotpress.com
Additional Sites on hotpress.com
- The Music Show
- The Jagermeister Freezer Sessions
- Hot Press Rock Photo
- The Philip Lynott Exhibition
- The INEC Homegrown Sessions
- HTC One Hotpress Photojournalist
- Genre Free Compilation
- MIX 13: Music Industry Xplained
- Shoot To Thrill: Make a Hot Press Cinema Ad
- Other Voices
- Best of Ireland
- The Big Break
- Hot for 2013
- Josh Ritter
- Eoin Glackin
- Bitter Rocc
Contact Us
Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (1) 241 1500
Email:info@hotpress.ie
Click here for more contact information.
Click here to find out more about Hot Press
Hot Press always welcomes feed back so if you've got something to tell us click here.
Advertise With Us
For more detail on how to advertise with Hot Press click here or call us on +353 (1) 241 1540
©Hot Press 2012. Why be a member? | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About Us Jobs @ Hot Press