Teenage heartbreak, the hard school of busking, “fluke” success, a Number 1 with ‘Galway Girl’, and the late Shane McGowan: Irish folk hero Mundy explains all to the Advertiser ’s Jamie Conlon on the long drive to Galway.
"I always noticed that music had the power to change the mood of a room," Mundy reflects, with passion in his voice, on his earliest musical memories. Growing-up in a family-owned pub in Birr, County Offaly, Mundy was always exposed to live music and became infatuated with its effect on people's moods: "I was always intrigued by the power of music. People would go into a pub at 8.30 at night, and leave at 11.30 with their spirits lifted."
After years of playing gigs in his parents' pub, he took a leap of faith. Spurred on by youthful fearlessness, he began busking in Dublin. Mundy views busking as his "internship into music;" learning hard, but invaluable lessons. "You figure out very quickly what songs in your repertoire are bringing in the coins. There is a game that you learn to play. It is a great way of becoming streetwise."
As a busker, Mundy began to formulate his own music. Attending open-mic nights in Dublin, he spent many months observing other songwriters before having a go himself. It was not, however, until experiencing heartbreak aged 19 that solid lyrics began to take shape: "Going through the heartbreak, my lyrics changed and people began to take me more seriously." Many tunes written during this period appeared on his debut album Jelly Legs, a fitting name for first-time anxious excitement. "It was a very nervous time because things were happening so fast,” he recalls.
At the turn of the Millennium, following a clear-out by Epic Records, Mundy found himself without a label. Brave enough to fly solo, Mundy stepped-up to start his own label, Camcor Records. He released his second studio album 24 Star Hotel and the rest, as they say, is history.
Speaking as he drives the M6 to Galway, there is silence, as if the artist reviews this memory: "It was a pretty awesome time, the beginning of a pretty satisfying period for me. I had a really nice winning streak for a while..."
His next album Raining Down Arrows shot to number one in the charts, followed by Live & Confusion which included Steve Earle's classic, 'Galway Girl'.
"It was a fluke!" exclaims Mundy, recounting jamming with Sharon Shannon for the hit: "We were both filming the radio show Pet Sounds in Galway’s Róisín Dubh to promote our albums. We were asked to perform a song together so I printed out the lyrics and we just sang it. Afterwards, we heard the radio audience’s reaction was phenomenal. We both got a great journey out of it."
When asked about Galway, it is clear the city holds a special place in Mundy's heart: "Galway is magical". He has fond memories of past performances. "The last gig I did was in Leisureland for the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. I got a 15-minute slot and the reception was incredible; it blew me away," He also recalls another show in Leisureland with Sharon Shannon and the recently-departed Shane MacGowan.
"[MacGowan’s death] sure leaves a void, but he also leaves a great legacy. He leaves behind a great hope that you can stick to your guns and be yourself. It was a dream for a lot of people to perform with Shane MacGowan, and for me, my dream came through." MacGowan also appeared in the duet 'Love is a Casino' on Mundy's 2009 album Strawberry Blood.
Mundy has played alongside some big names. He has supported Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, R.E.M, White Stripes, The Waterboys and the Pogues, touring all over Ireland, Britain, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.
He is a political animal, and audiences at his upcoming Galway gig are likely to hear a few words on the current state of the world. The smart money may be on a homage to the late MacGowan too, but like a true pro, Mundy gives little away.
“I am playing with my full band and it promises to be a great night out,” he teases.
With Stefan Murphy and Annmarie Cullen as supporting acts, and award-winning rocker Cathy Davey as special guest, Mundy – ever the pro - advises punters to get to Monroe’s early.
Mundy's real professional talent is his ability to connect with the crowd, with a lyricism that puts into words feelings people cannot themselves describe. Inspired by failed young love, moulded by the streets of Dublin, and flourished by going solo, Mundy still lays his heart on the line.
"Musicians are tuned into human emotions more than anybody. Music has the power to unite people."
Celebrating the 21st anniversary of his first self-produced album 24 Star Hotel, Mundy plays Monroe’s Live, on Saturday, December 16.
Tickets €26.40 from www.monroes.ie Doors 8pm.
