Behind the music – Collapsing Stars

American folk act Collapsing Stars play the Ruby Sessions in Doyles pub in Dublin on Tuesday 31 October. We asked them the BIG questions . . .

We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

Named a top 100 SXSW Artist by NPR Music, Twin Cities based Collapsing Stars blend folk, blues and Americana sounds with cello and vocal harmonies and they have been compared to Iron & Wine, Gregory Alan Isakov, Nick Drake and early Bon Iver.

We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

Their debut record titled 2012 received critical acclaim and their second album Chapter is out now.

Tell us three things about yourself . . .

Justin: I can juggle. I won 1st place in my sixth-grade science fair. I once ate 20 tacos in a single sitting.

Ally: Chris Cornell came to my dance recital once. In college I played Oliver in Oliver Twist. I played a gig once and was paid in pickled beet root.

How would you describe your music?

Cello-heavy contemporary folk.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Justin: John Fruciante, George Harrison, Nirvana.

We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

Ally: I’m With Her, Nickle Creek, Rushad Eggleston.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Justin: Green Day in Minneapolis.

Ally: Amy Grant.

What was the first record you ever bought?

Justin: Glass House by Billy Joel.

Ally: Heart in Motion by Amy Grant.

What’s your favourite song right now?

Justin: Isn’t it a Pity – George Harrison.

Ally: Stevie wonder – Don’t You Worry About A Thing.

Favourite lyric of all time?

Justin: “Have I helped mankind put its sickness behind it, think that they’re tiny, no but I tried so.”

Ally: “Thought I would always find you there, Sitting in your tv chair, Time is in a bar, Having a laugh somewhere.”

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Justin: Tom Petty – Wildflowers.

Ally: I’m With Her – Crossing Muddy Waters.

Where can people find your music/more information?

Our website, Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook.

Alan Corr