Muireann Bradley: Donegal’s Teenage Blues Sensation
Table of Contents
- 1. Muireann Bradley: Donegal’s Teenage Blues Sensation
- 2. From YouTube to Global Stages
- 3. Debut Album: A Nod to the Past
- 4. A Mission to Revive the Blues
- 5. Exploring New Musical Avenues
- 6. Balancing Music and Other Passions
- 7. Looking Ahead
- 8. How does Muireann Bradley connect the blues to a younger audience?
- 9. An Intimate Conversation with Muireann Bradley: Donegal’s Blues Prodigy
- 10. Discovering the Blues Roots
- 11. From YouTube Sensation to Global Stages – A Blues Journey
- 12. I Kept These Old Blues: A Tribute to Tradition
- 13. Reviving Blues for a Younger Generation
- 14. Musical Explorations: Electric Guitar and Original Songs
- 15. Balancing Music and Jiu Jitsu
- 16. A Final Thought:
Muireann Bradley, the 18-year-old blues prodigy from Ballybofey, county Donegal, is captivating audiences worldwide with her authentic interpretations of classic blues. Despite her rapid rise, she remains grounded, stating, “I haven’t become super overwhelmed yet. I think I’m a really chilled out person so I’m never felt super overwhelmed or anything like that, thankfully. Things have been good for me so far.” Her journey, fueled by a deep connection to the genre’s roots, promises a bright future.
From YouTube to Global Stages
- Early Exposure: Bradley’s father, John, introduced her to blues legends like Rev Gary Davis and Memphis Minnie.
- Viral Sensation: A YouTube clip at age 13 launched her career, attracting attention within the blues community.
- Rapid Ascent: Her recent achievements include:
- A performance on Jools Holland Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve 2023.
- An appearance on the Late Late Show.
- A record deal with Decca Records.
- An upcoming tour of Australia and a Caribbean cruise with Joe Bonamassa.
Debut Album: A Nod to the Past
Bradley’s debut album, I Kept These Old Blues, originally released in late 2023, has been remastered by Kevin Reeves. The album emphasizes the raw, unfiltered essence of early blues recordings. “I didn’t re-do any of the songs,” she explains. “They’re all the original recordings from the original album but there is one extra song – When The Levee Breaks.”
To capture the spirit of the original recordings Bradley explains her recording process, “When I was recording I wanted to do it like they did back in the 1820s and 30s so with most of the songs, I did my best to do it in the first and second take and most of the tunes on the album are the first or second take. Back in the 1920s they would have only had a chance to do one take.”
A Mission to Revive the Blues
Bradley aims to introduce blues to a younger generation, stating, “I never thought there was any of chance of me getting young peopel into this music…I think now I’ve really gotten into the idea of bringing it to a younger audience.” She notes the increasing presence of young people at her shows,which makes her “really happy.”
Exploring New Musical Avenues
While rooted in acoustic blues, Bradley is exploring electric guitar, influenced by Rory Gallagher, who was born near her hometown. “I’ve only started getting into him recently,” she says. “I’ve always been into acoustic blues but I’ve started getting into electric and I’m thinking of getting an electric guitar. I’ve never played electric at all. Only acoustic.” She is also writing her own songs, focusing on instrumental pieces while developing her lyrical skills. “I only started this year and I haven’t had a lot of time to give it a proper go,” she explains.
Balancing Music and Other Passions
Before fully committing to music, Bradley excelled in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, winning an Irish title in 2019. However, she now prioritizes music, stating, “at the minute I am going to focus on music. I have stopped training in Jiu Jitsu becuase there is a real danger of risking your fingers so I can’t let that happen!”
Looking Ahead
Muireann bradley is focused on her musical journey, unfazed by the attention. “They don’t really think much of it to be honest probably because of the music I play. It doesn’t mean that much to them. I’m just the same old Muireann, travelling around,” she says. I’ve Kept These Old Blues is available now on Decca Records.
Muireann Bradley’s dedication to preserving and promoting the blues is inspiring. Check out her album, I’ve Kept These Old Blues, and follow her journey as she brings this timeless music to new audiences.
How does Muireann Bradley connect the blues to a younger audience?
An Intimate Conversation with Muireann Bradley: Donegal’s Blues Prodigy
We sat down with Muireann Bradley, the sensational young blues artist from Donegal, to discuss her amazing journey, her debut album I Kept These Old Blues, adn her mission to revitalize the blues for a new generation. archyde’s music critic,Helena Davies,conducted the interview.
Discovering the Blues Roots
Helena Davies: Muireann, thank you for joining us. Your connection to the blues seems deeply personal. How did you first encounter this genre, and what drew you to it so profoundly?
Muireann Bradley: My pleasure, Helena! It all started with my dad, John. He introduced me to legends like Rev Gary Davis and Memphis Minnie.Their music just resonated with me instantly. There’s a rawness and honesty in the blues that you don’t find everywhere, and that’s what really grabbed me.
From YouTube Sensation to Global Stages – A Blues Journey
Helena Davies: that’s wonderful. Your YouTube clip at 13 years old was a turning point in your career. Can you describe that experience and how it shaped your outlook on performing and sharing your music?
Muireann Bradley: it was entirely unexpected! I just posted it for fun, really. when it started getting attention, it made me realise there were people out there who appreciated what I was doing. It definitely boosted my confidence and motivated me to pursue music more seriously.
I Kept These Old Blues: A Tribute to Tradition
Helena Davies: Your debut album, I Kept These Old Blues, captures the raw essence of early blues recordings so well.What was the thinking behind maintaining the original recordings in the remastered version, and why add when The levee Breaks?
Muireann Bradley: I wanted to honor the authenticity of those early recordings. It was vital to me that the album felt genuine and true to the spirit of the original artists. I wanted to create an album of songs that capture the raw sounds from the 20s and 30s. That’s why the takes were pretty minimal; I wanted to capture that one-take feel to emulate the greats. When the Levee Breaks is such an important part of blues history, and I felt it was a fitting addition – plus it’s a joy to play!
Reviving Blues for a Younger Generation
Helena Davies: You’re passionate about introducing the blues to a younger audience. What strategies are you employing to connect with new listeners,and what kind of response have you seen so far?
Muireann Bradley: Just being myself and staying true to the music,and by playing blues gigs. That’s the most important thing. And thankfully, I’ve seen a lot more young people at my shows recently, which makes me really happy. Social media helps, of course, but ultimately, it’s about the music.
Musical Explorations: Electric Guitar and Original Songs
Helena Davies: You’re now exploring electric guitar and writing your own songs. How is that influencing your musical direction, and what can we expect from you in the future regarding new material?
Muireann Bradley: Getting into electric blues has been really exciting. Rory Gallagher who was born onyl a few hours from my house played electric guitar and that’s influenced me.I love the energy and possibilities it opens up. My original songs are mostly instrumental at the moment, as I’m still developing my lyrics. I’m hoping to release some original material soon, blending both acoustic and electric styles.
Balancing Music and Jiu Jitsu
Helena Davies: you also excelled in Brazilian jiu Jitsu.How tough was the decision to prioritize music and where do you see yourself in the next 5 year, and what might surprise your fans?
Muireann Bradley: It was tough because I really enjoyed Jiu jitsu, but my fingers are vital to my music playing and any risk of losing my fingers through injury in the ring makes it a very easy decision in what not to do. In 5 years, I’ll hopefully have a few albums out and keep up with my gigs around the world. I think my audience would be really surprised by what I listen to in my spare time – death metal!
A Final Thought:
Helena Davies: Muireann, your story is truly inspiring. What message do you hope your music conveys to listeners around the world?
Muireann Bradley: I hope my music connects them to the heart and soul of the blues. I want to share the music I love with the next generation . Also, hopefully people listen to the blues a bit more!
Helena Davies: Thank you so much for your time, Muireann. It’s been a pleasure.
Muireann Bradley: Thank you, Helena!
What did you find most inspiring about Muireann Bradley’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
