Following the success of several EPs, Kodaline’s debut studio album, ‘In a Perfect World’, was released in June and they have spent the last few months touring the world. We caught up with the band before their Arthur’s Day gig to recap on some of the highlights of their whirlwind year and to find out why they were so eager to be part of the Guinness festivities.

The band, who hail from Swords in Dublin, have not only been sought after nationally, but they have also been in great global demand. Recently they have performed on shows such as the X-Factor in Australia, played sold out gigs in countries as far apart as Holland and Japan as well as  being featured on Grey’s Anatomy, a show known for giving young bands an extra boost on their way up the Billboard charts.

One of the festivals that we were particularly keen to hear about was SXSW, in Texas. ‘Music From Ireland’, is an initiative by First Music Content and is designed to shine a spotlight on young Irish talent, at the festival in Austin.

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Yeah, that was crazy,” Mark told. “We played about five gigs a day, with huge bands in tiny little pubs. The weather was great and we had loads of BBQ food. They had loads of makeshift stages but like Jake Bugg would be playing on one. We saw The Specials play in a smoking area.”

As part of the ‘Music From Ireland’ showcase, Kodaline took part in the festival with 16 other Irish acts. “The atmosphere was incredible” enthused Steve.

“Yeah, it was just really funny, a big bunch of Irish lads headed over, we knew the Delorentos and Kid Karate already,” Vinny said.

“It was like the smoking area of Whelan’s but in Austin, Texas,” laughed Jay.

SXSW was not their only stop in the States in the last twelve months. The band have also played sold out gigs in New York and Boston to name just two. In the UK and Ireland the band were given significant backing by major broadcasters such as the BBC and RTE Radio. In light of this we were interested to hear what it was like starting from scratch in the US.

“There’s no big national station” said Mark “they have some [stations] like K-Rock, but that differs in every state, which is different from what we have here with Today FM or the likes”.

“We’ve been really lucky as well,” said Jay. “Sirius XM is a new wave of digital radio in the States. It’s the closest thing to a national station and they’ve played us.”

Steve also spoke of time spent supporting other acts and how that has paid off for them. “It’s so big as well; every state is like its own country which makes touring amazing,” he added.

 “We’re looking forward to playing the Troubadour in LA.” Mark said. “It’s like the Button Factory and the gig sold out in two days”.

“It’s such a famous venue,” Steve explained. “There’s a story about Elton John getting discovered there. So yeah: No pressure. [Laughs].”

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Kodaline’s listenership and fanbase have grown significantly over the last year and that is possibly best exemplified by their two contrasting Electric Picnic performances. “Yeah,” Vinny said, “last year we played Body and Soul at like two o’clock, to about a hundred or two hundred people and we were over the moon with that. But to come home and play the main stage this year was bonkers.”

“We were on a festival circuit all summer but that was the pinnacle festival, it was the biggest slot we got. It’s probably my favourite festival, alongside Glastonbury, plus we camped and all,” Mark added.

We hadn’t been in Ireland for ages,” noted Steve, “and everyone was building it up to be this big thing but it was perfect. The crowd was great.”

Year after year, Arthur’s Day has provoked a mixed response from the public. The band had the following to say about being a part of this year’s festivities.

I love the concept: the whole secret thing and big acts playing in tiny pubs. In our last band we entered a competition to play and we didn’t even make the final twelve. We were heartbroken,” Mark said.

“We did get a gig in Swords on the back of that though,” Steve said. “We played Arthur’s Day before but never officially. I think Mark and I played in a bar a few years ago.”

So have they ignored the criticisms it has received? “We get criticised if we do anything, our album got slated in reviews and we didn’t give a shit,” laughed Mark.

“We think it’s great and a good opportunity to see bands,” Vinny said.

“Yeah and it brings music back to a national focus,” agreed Jay.

Following their stop off in Dublin to play the Guinness Storehouse and a second gig in Cork for Arthur’s Day, Kodaline are about to embark on a tour of the US and Europe which will bring them right up to mid March of 2014. With many dates sold out already there are no signs of slowing down for the band.

Kodaline will return to Ireland to play three gigs in the Olympia on the 21st, 22nd & 23rd of November, with support from Tandem Felix.