TRAMP’s music is pure-cut alchemy. Since forming in 2019, the Donegal/Derry quartet has become a singular force in our cross-border DIY scene, packing out venues and nabbing the prestigious Artist of the Year Award at the 2023 Northern Irish Music Prize along the way.
Comprised of Siânna Lafferty, Ellie McFadden, Fionnbarr Doran, and Ciaran ‘Steamy’ McCay, TRAMP returns this Friday, 23rd August, with their most incisive effort yet, ‘The Birds (Lowered Suspension).’ Off the back of their stellar fundraising track ‘Postcard from Poland‘ and a series of blistering shows across the island, the single doubles as a statement of intent from a band we’re certain is set to break through.
In under four minutes, ‘The Birds (Lowered Suspension)’ showcases the band at their most potent. Equal parts derisive and deceptively complex, it’s an indie-punk gem that—in textbook TRAMP fashion—doubles down on harmonic twists and incisive lyrical turns. It makes perfect sense, then, that the four-piece refers to themselves as “genre-queer.” This is a subtly revolutionary sound that flips the indie rock script in all the right places.
Quite literally serving as the first single from their highly anticipated debut EP, The Bird-Cat-Dog Metaphor, the song is crowned with Siânna Lafferty’s scythe-sharp lyrics. Wry and knowing to the nth degree, they sum up TRAMP’s signature knack for pairing unflinching political commentary with unapologetically feel-good songwriting.
Ahead of the single’s release this Friday, we’re pleased to present a first look at its video below. Filmed and directed by Hot Shoe Productions, it tackles the association of lowered cars with lad culture, confronting its darker side of misogyny. The refrain “Not all men are like that, not all men…” rings out with intention, making it abundantly clear that TRAMP—much like their music—is not to be misunderstood or underestimated.
Catch TRAMP over the next while:
- 4th October – Dublin – Ireland Music Week
- 25th October – Mandela Hall, Belfast (BBC Event on the night of EP release)
- 31st October – Dublin headline show (venue TBC)
