Entertainment Ireland

30 September 2009 (Music Interview)

Since forming in 1987, Irish folk gods Kíla have become synonymous with traditional music, but also with being one of the few bands in existence to bring the trad genre up to date by incorporating elements of other genres - such as world music - into their own sound. Having spent the last two decades losing and gaining members (but never splitting!) they've just released their first 'Best of' album 'Rogha'. I recently had a quick chat with multi-instrumentalist/author/former amateur soccer star Colm Ó Snódaigh from the band. | Words: Lauren Murphy

Hi Colm. Kíla have been together, without splits or reunions, for over 20 years. What's the secret of your longevity? Have you ever come close to calling it a day?

Magic Potion - given to us by Asterix and Obelisk! (laughs) I think we have all had moments where we wanted to call it a day, but never all at once - and so the rest of the team carries you through those moments.

Did you ever think, in your early days at Coláiste Eoin, that you'd be releasing a 'Best of' 22 years down the line?

I wanted to be playing for Liverpool and have a DVD of my most famous cup winning goals, so 'no' is the answer! (laughs)

You've released some great albums over the years - how difficult was it to choose the tracklisting of the 'Best of'?

We did the best thing ever - we got someone from outside the band to make the choice and we only guided him a little.

Are there any particular favourites of yours, anything you're slightly more proud of than others?

I still love Ríl a Dó - a gorgeous piece of music. And I really love some of the pieces that haven't been included.

What songs do you still love to play, and what songs do you feel obliged to play because they're crowd-pleasers? Are there any that you have to grit your teeth through?

We are always trying out new music, and thus we don't do the crowd-pleasers thing. Our philosophy is 'how do you get another new piece of music if you don't create space for it?'.
The only gritting of teeth happens when I can't hear anything clearly on stage.



Your line up has shifted quite a few times over the years. How did you keep the band cohesive and together, and on the same wavelength during those fractured times?

Magic potion again! (laughs) I think it is very difficult. We try our best - no magic formula.

It seems like every member of Kíla has had music in their blood from birth. Can you remember the first song or album you heard and loved?

'Quo' by Status Quo. And 'Tonic for the Troops' - The Boomtown Rats. Class!

You've got a healthy (if small) fanbase outside Ireland, too, particularly in places like America. How different is it playing to foreign crowds rather than home crowds?

Maybe the main difference is the venues. In America, we were playing in exclusively Performance Arts Centres - theatres with seating. In Spain, for example, we play at festivals, mostly.

You've been described as everything from 'folk' to 'thrash trad' in the past - what's been the worst description of your sound that you've ever heard?

'Acid céilí'…

You've recorded with unusual collaborators before, one of them being Oki. Is there anyone else you'd love to record with?

Oh yes - there's a big line up of them! Tom Waits would be a personal favourite. or Paul Simon. But that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Finally, can you see Kíla lasting another 22 years, with a 'Best of: Part 2' somewhere down the line?

Absolutely. We have the beginnings of it coming out in February, with a beautiful album of quiet music. It's called Soishín. It is beautiful - even if I say so myself.


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'Rogha: The Best of Kíla' is out now. For information on releases and tour dates, see www.kila.ie.
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