Zu Station

"We met in Melbourne in ’99,” explains Declan De Barra, of Clann Zu’s unlikely fomation. “We started writing this sort of stuff, and it became clear that it was the direction we wanted the band to take. It had a darker quality to it than what we’d been doing before.”

The “sort of stuff” he’s talking about is a gloriously epic amalgam of rock riffs, folky vocals, trad rhythms, classical strings and haunting melodies – the result of which is an affirmative take on the combination of the band’s diverse individual tastes. The Irish elements in the sound are utilised through the use of core native instruments, which are then built upon. Fiddles and bodhrans there may be, but take my word for it: this is no diddly-aye trad band.

Having relocated to the Emerald Isle, the quintet, led by the only Irish member, Declan (vocals/bodhran), set about carving themselves a niche in Dublin’s live scene.

“Ireland is very open to different styles of music,” Declan observes. “If you’re doing something original, people will say fair fucks to you and come along and support it. It’s a bit harder in Australia because, although there are some great underground music scenes, the most popular genre for a band is second rate American rip-off. It wasn’t too hard to establish ourselves here, although there aren’t very many people playing the same kind of music as us. In fact, I can’t think of any.”

Their debut album, Rua is a ten-track collection of aching ballads and three-minute energisers, however I’m assured that on stage is where Clann Zu really come into their own.

“Our live show is a lot rawer than the songs on the record,” comments Declan. “You can communicate with people a lot more effectively in a live situation. You can see them and hear them. If the music is intense and you’re feeling that way at the time, coupled with feedback from the crowd, it takes on a life of it’s own. It’s the best feeling.”

“A lot of it has to do with the audience,” adds Russell Fawcus (violin). “When you’re recording, you’re in an air conditioned room and it’s kind of quiet and you’re playing into a microphone, so there’s only so much energy you can get out of it.

“You only get one shot at it when you play live. It’s a single moment that won’t exist again.”

The cacophony of Clann Zu’s music is quite image-laden, with dynamics and dramatics combining to create an almost cinematic feel.

“We’re big drama queens!” declares Declan. “We love dramatic movies and dramatic music, so, naturally, it comes through. One of our main ambitions is to make music that’s undeniably us. So when you hear a voice, a violin, guitar or what ever, you know it’s Clann Zu. There’s nothing worse than people who’ve been given a gift – and there’s so many on the planet – who try to sound like someone else. It’s just the most annoying, frustrating waste of talent.

“We’ve moved hemispheres to play music. Our focus is 100%. There’s no point in doing anything half-arsed. If you love someone you love them 100%, if you hate them, it’s 100% too. So if you want to play music, do it 100%. And that’s what we do. Sin é.”