Following the release of their debut album ‘The Seed, The Vessel, The Roots and All’, Northern Irish indie-punks New Pagans have been steadily expanding their fanbase.

The Belfast-based band toured Europe with Skunk Anansie earlier this year, and recently released their single ‘Better People’ - which was written by vocalist Lyndsey Mcdougall during lockdown, when she realised the important of sharing music with her children.

We caught up with Lyndsey to learn more about her and the band.

1.  What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
As a young child I only had access to Christian music and I was obsessed with Amy Grant. As a teenager, I fell in love with Idlewild, PJ Harvey, Bjork, Sonic Youth, Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins. 

2.  In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
I love being on stage, so in the moments leading up walking on it I’m usually just waiting calmly. I like peace and quiet at this point, to help me get into the zone. Sometimes it can be a bit nerve wrecking, especially if we’re supporting another artist on a large stage with thousands of people (like the tour we did in March 2022 with Skunk Anansie across Europe). When this happens I just breathe really deeply and that helps me keep calm.  

3.  How do you wind down after a gig?
Claire (bass player) and I usually head straight to the merch table. We normally bring a wee beer with us and love chatting to everyone afterwards. When we get in the van at the end of the night we get stuck into karaoke. When were on tour in Germany (with Frank Turner), one night we only sang along to songs from the ‘60s. It’s such a good way to wind down and everybody gets to share their new and old favourites with each other.  

4. What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
Anything by Fleetwood Mac, but if I had to pick one song it’d be ‘Tusk’ because that was the first Fleetwood Mac song I ever heard. 

5. What is your pet peeve?
Cahir (the guitarist in New Pagans).

5. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped 
Kerri Ní Dochartaigh -  ‘Thin Places’
Jean-Luc Godard - ‘Bande à part’

6. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Sofia Coppola - director
Kirsten Caroline Dunst - actor

7. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Veggie Thai Green curry with coconut rice.

8. Describe your perfect day off.
Going for a walk to Hell’s Hole in Malin Head, Donegal then heading to Farren’s bar for a crab sandwich and a half pint of Guinness, delicious! 

9. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig (whenever it may be.)
Have a listen, if you like the music come to the show. 

BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.  
The one we listen to the most is Blind Boy Podcast, but I’m sure everyone reading this is aware of how good it is anyway. 

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'Better People' is out now.