Q&A with electro-folk duo Saint Sister ahead of their Electric Picnic performance

Morgan MacIntyre and Gemma Doherty formed Saint Sister in late 2014. The indie-folk duo draw influences from classical Celtic harp traditions, 60s folk and electro-pop to create their very own unique sound.

The past 18 months have been a whirlwind adventure for the group - one of their first ever gigs was an opening slot for Arcade Fire's Win Butler. They have also embarked on nationwide tours with acts such
as Spies and Wyvern Lingo and have had countless plays on BBC Radio 1. More recently, Saint Sister have hit the international stage, performing at festivals in France and at the world renowned SXSW.

Read our interview with them below ahead of the band's return to Stradbally to perform on the Other Voices stage this September.

Last November you released your debut EP, ‘Madrid’ - is there a new EP or album on the way?

We recorded four new tracks in April, which we’re really excited about. We went back to the beautiful hills of Kerry with Alex Ryan, who worked with us on our first EP. Can’t wait to get them out there.

You made your Other Voices debut in Dingle last December, how was the experience?

You always hear people describe Other Voices in Dingle as magical, which it pretty much is. We played three really special, very different gigs that weekend. First in the IMRO Other Room marquee, battling against the fierce winds of Storm Desmond, followed by an intimate fireside gig with Jim Carroll’s Banter Sessions. Our favourite show, and probably still one of our favourites to-date was on the Sunday morning in An Díseart Church. It was a surprise gig, announced just the day before.

You performed on the Voices Rising stage last year at Global Green, how was it?

That was our first festival performance together, and we were really excited to be playing Electric Picnic. Honestly, it was quite a tough gig as we had a few technical problems. We couldn’t hear the harp on stage, so it got off to a bit of a rocky start. But we had a really amazing crowd who stuck with us, which makes all the difference.

Is there anything that makes performing at Electric Picnic stand out from other shows?

We actually got to know each other at the Picnic two years ago! We were both singing with Trinity Orchestra, performing Gorillaz’ 'Demon Days' on the main stage, which was great craic. And we’ll always remember last year as our first festival together as a band, so Electric Picnic is a special one for us.

Do you have anything special in store for your appearance on the Other Voices stage? Will fans get to hear any new material?

We’ll be performing some of our newly recorded songs, which are very fun to play live.

Have you had the chance to explore the festival before? Is there anything that particularly stands out for you at Electric Picnic?

One of the best shows we’ve ever witnessed was at Electric Picnic 2014, with James Vincent McMorrow, joined onstage by Booka Brass Band. It was mesmerising. A big highlight of the festival is actually the Other Voices stage, the hidden gem tucked away in the middle of the woods. You never know who you might be lucky enough to stumble across there.

Do you have any festival tips for first-time goers to Electric Picnic?

Get out of the campsite and go to as many gigs as you can!