by Eric FitzGerald
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DUBLIN based Maud in Cahoots have impressed in their all too rare appearances in Limerick city.
This weekend, sisters Maud and Zoe Ní Riordáin and their band will play in Kasbah Social Club as part of a tour that will see the quartet bring their unique brand of dramatic alternative pop across Ireland then going to Canadian Music Week in May, and finishing that tour in New York with a gig in the Irish Arts Centre and Rockwood Music Hall.
Maud Ní Riordáin a violinist, and Zoe, a cellist studied their instruments from an early age but always hoped to perform their own material. The duo decamped to New York after college and Maud in Cahoots was born.
In May 2013 Maud in Cahoots released one of the best singles of the year, ‘Dance with Me’ with a stirring video directed by John McIlduff.
Last year they staged ‘The Well Rested Terrorist’ a concept album played live for a sold out run at the Peacock Theatre during Dublin Fringe Festival which the Irish Times called “absorbing; a painstaking work, given startling execution”.
Maud Ní Riordáin helped Limerick Post with its queries.
LP: Is the visual representation of the band as important as the music for the band?
MiC: “We have always been aware of how the story of a song can be communicated visually. We take a particular interest in making our live shows visually interesting and engaging.”
LP: Has the current Maud in Cahoots live show been influenced by your experience staging “The Well Rested Terrorist”?
MiC: “Yes, Zoe directed The Well Rested Terrorist and it was performed in a very traditional theatre space. The show was built around songs we had written for the band but the material was presented in a theatrical, more dramatic style. It was really interesting to us as a band to see how the environment and performance style changed how an audience absorbed the songs and I think the experience of staging a ‘live concept album’ in a theatre has influenced MiC’s live show.”
LP: What comes next for the band?
MiC: “We will be releasing a new single called ‘Greatest Achievement’, touring and playing some summer festivals. We are really looking forward to getting back to playing live. We’ve been in studio and rehearsals since October last year so we are keen to get back to gigging.”
Maud in Cahoots live shows regularly get rave reviews for its musicianship and delivery, but this Limerick show promises to be extra special as it will be the band’s first performance in the city since Maud’s husband, Andy Lee became Boxing’s Middleweight World Champion.
Maud In Cahoots play Kasbah Social Club, Dolan’s this Sunday April 19.
