A lady dealing with the pressure of a highly musical family, with a bit of a legacy, the daughter of Mary Black and brother to Danny O’Reilly (from The Coronas for those scratching their heads), it’s a lot of pressure on anyones shoulders.
The fact it doesn’t even look like it phases Roisin at all is part of the charm. If you’ve caught any of her singles which she has released ahead of the full album, then you will know that she not only handles the pressure, but stands out on her own merits.
A busy festival summer so far with the likes of Castlepalooza and Indiependence under her belt. Electric Picnic 2012 is next up for young Roisin. She was kind enough to answer our festival questions, in which she tells us she wrote a song about Electric Picnic and would like a helicopter on her rider or perhaps a bathtub of galaxy minstrels and a popcorn shower (Holy crap she thinks just like us!). Madness I tell ya.
What is your favorite song to play at a festival and why?
Probably our last single ‘Here We Go’. It’s upbeat and fun and gets the crowd dancing and singing along, which is the best feeling when you’re playing a festival. I also play electric guitar on it which I love doing. I wrote it about a festival (Electric Picnic) so I suppose it fits in with the scene!
If you could duet with any act at a festival, who would it be?
That’s a tough one, there are so many! Maybe The Gorillaz or Muse, I saw them both at Coachella a few years back, they both played unreal live shows and had such amazing atmospheres on stage. I love singing their songs too!
If you could have anything even outrageous, what is the strangest thing you would have on a rider?
Hmmm… maybe a helicopter to and from the gig! Or a large room completely furnished in white leather with an on-call masseuse…. or a bathtub of galaxy minstrels and a popcorn shower.
Do you ever camp or do you posh it up?
Camping all the way! Camping is one of my favourite parts of festivals. Sitting around before the gigs and having your own sing song and a few beers with friends, and making friends with your camping neighbours. It’s a great buzz, to sleep outdoors, and get dirty and eat crappy food, for one weekend anyway!
If you could pick 4 headliners for a festival who would they be?
Anyone alive or dead??? Alive; LCD Soundsystem; Red Hot Chilli Peppers; Radiohead, DaftPunk. Have seen the first three live and they have been some of the best shows I’ve been to and play some of my favourite music. Daft Punk are one of my favourite bands too but I’ve never had the chance to see them live… that would be an unreal gig! Dead(/old school); Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Beatles…. need I explain?!
Have you ever been starstruck backstage at a festival or gig?
Yes! I’m very uncool and always get starstruck in front of famous people if I’m a fan of them. I met Declan O’Rourke backstage at charity gig for The Rise Foundation at Vicar St a while ago. I’m a huge fan of his. I basically went over and professed my love for him… so embarrassing but I really couldn’t help myself!
Most embarrassing festival moment?
Hmm I really don’t know! I think most people lose their inhibitions at festivals, they become a kid for the weekend and don’t mind making a fool of themselves. Everyone’s on the same buzz most of the time so the people around you don’t mind either. That’s my experience anyway… (i.e. I’m not telling you my embarrassing stories!).
How quickly can you pitch a tent?
I’m not too bad actually maybe 10-15 minutes. Is that good? I’ve no idea. I’d say 95% of the times I’ve camped it’s been at a festival so I never learned how to pitch a tent by a “seasoned” camper. But I think I’m pretty good at reading instructions!
Food wise do you have any must have festival foods?
Junk food! Popcorn and chocolate mostly, and lots of water! Love big pizza slices and falafel too!
If you could never be in a band, what job do you think you would be doing right now?
Maybe a music teacher. I did music in college and I love kids. Or maybe a zookeeper! I’m obsessed with zoo’s and zoo animals. Yeh definitely a zoo keeper, but I’d have to sing the to the animals. I don’t think I could go most days without singing!
Debut album ‘The Secret Life of Blue’ released 21 September. Album launch gig at Whelan’s on 21 September. Performing in the Body and Soul area at Electric Picnic. Check her stage time on our Electric Picnic 2012 stage times page.