There’s a momentum swing happening right now. It has been clear to us all summer, as we have drifted from event to event and caught Ham Sandwich in multiple venues and locations and festivals. Each time their following seems to grow and grow.
Nothing more clear on a dry night in Cork, when the Whelan’s stage at Indiependence is rammed to the rafters and a sparse crowd has shown for a top international act in the form of British Sea Power. This is the momentum swing we are talking about. Ham Sandwich now have a big pull factor at every event and have long been the act from Ireland I was sure (and still pretty much believe) will go international.
Which is why you should get down to see them at Electric Picnic and witness first hand the show they put on, because they are tremendous showmen with a catalog of enticing tunes. We spoke to the lovable Niamh, and dropped our festival questions in her lap. This is what she had to say.
What is your favorite song to play at a festival and why?
At the moment I would have to say Ants. Just the response it has got at the festivals has been amazing!! It’s mad to hear so many people singing along to a song that’s one of your own!! I remember the first time it happened at Forbidden Fruit, it was the first time I really noticed a big reaction and I’m pretty sure I nearly had a little cry!
If you could duet with any act at a festival, who would it be?
THE CURE. I am soooo excited to see them this year. It would be an absolute dream to sing with Robert Smith. I’m pretty sure I’m going to faint if I bump into him at E.P. this year.
If you could have anything, even outrageous. What is the strangest thing you would have on a rider?
A kitten. I tried this once but it never happened! haha! That’d be the best thing. A little cat to have a wee play about with before a gig. Perfect. Failing that..a big bottle of vodka would do.
Do you ever camp or do you posh it up?
A mixture. It really depends on the weather! At Sea Sessions last year I went down and put up my tent in the wind and pourings of rain only to then decide that no way was I sleeping in the tent and we all got a hotel room! I’ll be camping at E.P. this year though, so fingers crossed the weather stays good!
If you could pick 4 headliners for a festival who would they be?
The National, Death Cab For Cutie, Bright Eyes and The Cure. Possibly the most depressing festival you’ll ever go to. Ever.
Have you ever been starstruck backstage at a festival or gig?
Yeah was pretty starstruck when I met Karen O! But she was so lovely, it was very hard for me to contain absolute ramblings of “oh my god, you’re so amazing, I love you so much” etc. I’m gonna do my best to meet Robert Smith this year and make an absolute fool out of myself!
Most embarrassing festival moment?
At Indiependence 2 years ago on the morning after our gig, I was filming someone driving a car around the campsite and as I was running, camera in hand, I didn’t notice someones tent rope and went flying!! I don’t think everyone stopped laughing for about 2 hours. I was pretty embarrassed.
How quickly can you pitch a tent?
It depends! I had a pop up tent for years that literally took seconds to put up! We have a normal tent now and I reckon I can do it in less than 15 mins. Is that good? (Yes Niamh that’s actually excellent) Best advice for people putting up tents, just one person do it. I always find when you introduce another person things get messy and it takes waaaaay longer and there possibly might be a scrap also. Haha!
Food wise do you have any must have festival foods?
Potato-y based stuff and pasta kind stuff. Both very good for filling you up quickly! Also had a falafel for the first time last year and it was AMAZING. So I’ll be having some of them again this year!
If you could never be in a band, what job do you think you would be doing right now?
I reckon I’d be attempting to be an actress. And probably failing miserably.
Ham Sandwich play Electric Picnic 2012 – Head down to see them live and keep an eye on Goldenplec for the Electric Picnic stage times.