Local band Bannered Mare is making waves throughout Ireland. Squeezing elements of emo, math rock and post rock into a freewheeling crusade of a record, they have become a band poised on an inspiring run with the release of their newest album “He’s Only Sleeping”. No stone goes unturned with Bannered Mare
We were delighted to spend a pleasant afternoon in conversation with Joe Padfield, the lead singer of the band, exploring what music means to the band and what adventures are on the horizon
Why does a band matter? A band matters because of that feeling when a group of talented musicians come together, the electricity of when their songs start to breathe and move together. The moment when the drums lead, the guitar answers and the vocals stretch and sway. This is the essence of Galway’s Bannered Mare. That’s why the Galway alt scene gravitated towards this band, because it feels like art, something you cannot replicate. Their debut album, He's Only Sleeping, is ten tracks of emotional post-rock that folds into Midwest emo and math rock textures. Recorded entirely in frontman Joe’s home studio in Roscommon, the album took two years to record, mix, and plan for release. It's the result of two true years of work. A period when the band steadily released EPs, built their sound and grew a community before finally deciding “It’s time for an album”.
Bannered Mare’s story begins with Joe (Lead vocals and guitar) and Paul (Guitar and vocals), who have been making music together since they were teenagers. They initially met through rival bands at school, until one day Joe heard a song Paul had written and “I just thought, oh my God you can write songs?”. From that moment, the competition turned into collaboration. Later, Joe met Kyle (Bass and vocals) and later Derek (Guitar, vocals and synth) in University of Galway. It was a friendship built on late nights and pubs, and finally Alan (Vocals and drums) the newest member of the band. Alan joined three years ago and his arrival changed everything. “I really have to put some weight on Alan joining” Joe says. “It gave us a beautiful lease of life. We were struggling to find our feet, and he grounded us. He's just a wonderful human, everyone in this band is".
The band’s name comes from the world of Skyrim, a fantasy role-playing game based in medieval times. The Bannered Mare however, is the first tavern you wander into while playing, a place known for lodging, food, drink and rest for gamers. Joe spent hours there during lockdown and the name stuck for reasons beyond nostalgia. “When I first joined Bannered Mare, I was having some inner struggles. I liked the idea of this band being my vessel, like a mare adorned in my people's colours, riding into battle”. He went on to say “The band's flag logo fashions a fallen banner which is meant to indicate that the war and struggle is over and ‘now we just have this creature that we can all exist in together.”
Joe tends to write fast. Most of He’s Only Sleeping was born during the Covid-19 lockdowns, a time that while everyone was in isolation, it gave him the space to create in solitude. He notes, “If I don't get the idea fleshed out in that moment, it probably wasn't a full idea to begin with”. Adding that “I’m not good at going back to things. I need to work, get it out, and if it's there, it’s there”. That urgency bleeds into the music. The album sounds lived-in, like a long exhale that has finally been released. For the He's Only Sleeping music videos, the band wanted to keep that same live energy alive. Most are footage of them playing together in different locations. The one exception being Hipshot, which features a bit of dialogue and cinematic trick shots that ended up dissolving into a forest jam session, sweat and laughter under the night sky.
Live, Bannered Mare thrives in chaos. Their dream venue is the kind where everyone is shoulder-to-shoulder and you can feel the music vibrate through the air. Joe remembers a sold out night, at Róisín Dubh years ago, as one of those magical experiences. He says “My favourite kind of show is when it's sweaty and intense, everyone's on top of each other. You can smell each other. You're all in it together”. That closeness mirrors the band's message. Floor level energy, no hierarchy, no barrier between performer and audience. They bring their own humour into every set, contributing something truly special to the Galway music scene.
Their new album, He’s Only Sleeping is out now on all streaming platforms. Perhaps you caught Bannered Mare live at Seven in the Loft on the 17th of October, supported by Galway bands Mother of Pearl and In Athens or the next day, at their Belfast show at the Ulsters Sports Club with Wynona Bleach and Broncos, two of the city's heavy hitters. Catch them on the 23rd of October for the closing of their album tour, playing in The Record Room in Limerick if you crave an explosion of fun! With special guests Animal Animal and Dinorah as opening acts!
Bannered Mare are more than a local act on the rise. If you can, see them live. It's the best way to understand what makes Bannered Mare matter. It’s not just their amazing songs but the feeling that something unrepeatable is happening right in front of you.
To stay up to date on everything upcoming from Bannered Mare, you can find their Instagram @banneredmareofficial
All photos courtesy of Bannered Mare
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