The Wran - On Our Radar Q&A: "It’s like we’re continuing on, adding to the history"

What was the music scene like growing up in Waterford?

Danny: We were recently reminiscing about how our generation would’ve been the first to start bands and play in pubs. That was kind of the beginning of a rock scene in Dungarvan, which is pretty cool.

Do you find that music brings you closer together as brothers?

Danny: Definitely. We spend a lot more time together than we used to. We had to learn to quit nitpicking, because we realised why we started doing this in the first place, which is essentially for fun.

How are you feeling about going on tour with The Scratch?

Danny: We’ve been big fans of The Scratch for a while now. We reached out to them when they were playing locally, and we joined them at the Set Theatre in Kilkenny. We got on really well, so they asked us to come on tour with them in the UK. They’re really nice lads. We’re gonna have a lot of fun going over there with them!

Which acts are inspiring you at the moment?

Tommy: We’re definitely inspired by The Pogues and Lankum. We also like to include a little bit of psychedelia, which comes from listening to bands like Tool.

Danny: I’m very into Paul Brady and Andy Irvine at the moment. I started playing fingerstyle guitar, so Planxty is a huge inspiration too.

Your upcoming debut album blends trad, punk and psychedelia. How did you land on that sound?

Stephen: I feel like it’s the most organic sound of The Wran. It feels natural.

Danny: The long, stretched-out instrumentals we use have this constant drawing sound. It stems from old Celtic traditions that had a lot of really weird music.

What do you want to convey to your audience?

Tommy: Irish culture has always had significant meaning for us. We love listening to all the amazing stories – whether old ones re-sung or new ones made up by us. It’s like we’re continuing on, adding to the history.

• The Stone Man is out October 9. Follow The Wran on Instagram @thewranmusic