Future Islands frontman, Samuel T. Herring, joins Hot Press down the Zoom line from New Orleans. He is in sparkling form – captivating, convivial, and looking forward to kicking off the band’s European tour in Collins Barracks this month. Serial visitors to these shores since once supporting fellow Baltimore artist Dan Deacon at Andrew’s Lane Theatre, it’s safe to say Future Islands are beloved by Irish audiences.

“That was our very first time in Dublin, that would have been 2009,” Sam affirms. “Dan did two shows and we opened one. On one show, I was just running the merch booth. Those were really fun gigs, being there with a lot of friends from Baltimore. Coming to play in Dublin is always a treat – it’s one of our favourite places in the world. It’s always been really kind to us.

“I remember our first time at Whelan’s, we played upstairs to maybe 20 people, and we sold more merch than we did on the whole European tour. I remember the smallest woman in the world buying the largest shirt we ever sold. And the largest man in the world buying the smallest shirt we ever sold, because it was all we had. It was like, these people are amazing. Thank you for the support.”

Starting from that Andrew’s Lane gig, the trajectory of the band’s Irish venue size is astounding – Workman’s, Whelan’s, Vicar Steet, Iveagh Gardens, and on to their 2018 show at Energia Park in Donnybrook.

Future Islands at Energia Park by Colm Kelly

“Feeling and seeing that as an artist, as a musician, it’s really inspiring,” Herring reflects. “It makes you feel very humbled and joyous. One of my favourite shows was Iveagh Gardens, that was before Donnybrook. It was such a massive show, it was just electric that night, feeling that audience under the stars.”

The band have also seen a fair bit of the country.

“We did Belfast for the first-time last year,” notes the frontman. “That was really fun. And a few years before that we did an Irish tour and got to play in Cork, Galway and Limerick. That was something we had been pushing for a while, to see a little more of the country.”

I know that legendary American poet Theodore Roethke is a huge inspiration to Future Islands. I wonder does Sam know that the great man once lived on Inishbofin off the coast of Galway?

“Wow!” he lights up, “I did not know that. Where did you read this?”

It’s a remarkable tale: a 2017 Galway Advertiser article details Roethke hanging out with Irish poet Richard Murphy on Inishbofin, staying at Day’s hotel, writing poetry and supping stout at Miko’s bar.

“I got to get into this,” Sam says.”That’s so interesting. He is a huge influence. I still feel guilty because I stole my first Roethke book from the library at my school. I was 12 or 13 and there were maybe five poetry books in the whole library. I was embarrassed to take it out, it wasn’t manly to read poetry. So, I stole this book and pored through it. I think because I stole it, it made it even more appealing. I fell in love with poetry at a young age.

“The first poet that I discovered was Carl Sandburg, another great American poet, but very different, abstract and wild. Slabs Of The Unburnt West is a beautiful book. But then I found Roethke and his romance of nature, which is a huge part of Future Islands’ work. Roethke is so entwined in our music and my words. He is one of my greatest teachers, as someone that I never had the opportunity to meet or have a drink with, or even really hear speak.

“Lyricism and poetry are where much of my art comes from, and it’s a big part of what Future Islands is about.”

Of course, you grew up on the Atlantic, right?

“Precisely,” Sam confirms. “Growing up, it was a two-minute walk to the shore, to the slow lapping waves of Bogue Sound. It’s a poetic place, rural North Carolina, very much about hunting, fishing and farming. But there’s a poetry to it, the beauty of nature, which is a huge part of Future Islands’ music too. And I grew up on shrimp. This body was made from shrimp – if you appreciate these dance moves, thank your local shrimp!”

Speaking about Irish connections, did I hear right that U2 once sent you a crate of Guinness?

“Unless Leagues O’Toole is pulling all of our legs, that is true,” he laughs, “I got to meet The Edge a few years ago over a FaceTime call and I got to thank him for it. It was two bottles of champagne, some Guinness, a recipe for making Black Velvet and a note saying, ‘Welcome to Ireland, we hope you have a great show.’

“It was signed from the whole band; we were blown away by it. Bono also shouted us out in an interview around the time when Singles came out and said that ‘Seasons’ was a song that he really loved. I think he called it a revelation – wow, what a line, put that on the album man.”

While we’re at Future Islands and Ireland connections, I wonder is Sam aware of the comparisons between his majestic stage presence and the late, incredibly great Joe Dolan?

“I have heard the comparison and I’ve seen Joe Dolan,” he nods. “I don’t quite see it but I do see it. I understand.”

Joe Dolan

I assure him that it is the mother and father of compliments. Indeed, no less than Morrissey opened his recent Vicar St. show with a line from Joe Dolan’s ‘Make Me an Island’.

“He has a song called ‘Make Me An Island’?” Sam asks. “Wow, that’s really cool. I feel like Future Islands has to cover ‘Make Me An Island’. That makes so much sense, I’m going to have to find that song.”

Oh man! I really hope that happens. So, let’s talk Collins Barracks. What can fans expect?

“As with any Future Islands show, there are going to be a lot of killer dance moves and acrobatics from a near 40-year-old man, and a lot of sweat,” he replies. “There will be tears and if you’re lucky, there might be blood. But I’m taking it a little bit easier these days. I think we’re at the top of our game, considering that we are getting older. You know, as you lose a step, you gain wisdom, if that makes sense.

“We really do a lot to have ourselves ready for every show. It’s really important for us that we give everything we can to our audiences. If you haven’t seen Future Islands, then you’re going to get a show. And if you have seen Future Islands, you’re going to get the best show. We’re excited to just be back out on the road again and doing gigs.

“And I do really feel that we’re at the top of our game. We have 20 years of doing it under our belt, and all the experience and wisdom that comes with the work, the practice and the love of it.”

Indeed, Future Islands’ work ethic is renowned, often banging out 200 shows a year.

“Yes,” Sam confirms. “Including our first band, Art Lord & the Self Portraits, me, William and Gerrit have done about 1,500 shows together. Actually, in March, it was 20 years since we started playing music together. So, yes 1,500 shows and still counting. I really want to hit 2,000 and then maybe we’ll get to 3,000, just keep going.”

• Future Islands play The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin on August 24.