The Academic are an Irish indie rock band from Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. Schoolmates Craig Fitzgerald (Vocals and Rythm Guitar), Dean Gavin (Drums) and brothers Matt (Lead Guitar) and Stephen Murtagh (Bass Guitar) formed the band in 2013. They made a name for themselves through gigging around the country and their first original single 'Different' released in early 2015 quickly became a radio hit. Last September, they did it again with their second track 'Northern Boy' before embarking for Britain where they opened for Circa Waves and played a headlining sold out show at The Electrowerkz in London. Now back in Ireland, they are headlining a tour which is passing by Whelan's in Dublin this Thursday. Ahead of the sold out gig, I caught up with The Academic for a little chat:
This has been a crazy year for you lads but what was the highlight for you so far?
The biggest highlight has definitely been getting to release music and touring it. We try to make every show a highlight!
You are managing to sell out venues despite having only two tracks out, how do you explain your success?
I think a lot of our reputation relies on our live show, and we've been gigging a long time. We try to make it a great night for everyone when they come to our shows and keeping that mentality all the time has paid off.
You are touring at the moment, but I believe that you were in the studio before, were you working solely on prepping the tour or did you write any new material?
We were adding finishing touches to our debut EP which will be released at the end of this month. We try to write everywhere we go.
Do you have any essential item you cannot tour without (besides your instruments obviously)?
A DVD of 250 Top Premier League Goals (94-04). And Battleship.
What is your favourite track to play live during this tour?
There's a track called 'Sometimes' that will feature on our EP. It's going down really well!
Some of you were at uni for a while, what were you studying?
Craig was studying Songwriting in Dublin. Matt studied English and Dean studied Philosophy. Stephen never made it!
I have seen on your Facebook that you love Nicolas Cage, what’s you favourite Nicolas Cage meme?
NOT THE BEES!!
You have done a few covers, which cover haven’t you done yet which you would like to do?
'Pump it Up' by Elvis Costello or 'Sledgehammer' by Peter Gabriel. Or that John Mellencamp song.
And a contrario, who would you love to see cover one of your originals?
John Mellencamp
Can you tell me the best concert you have ever been to as an audience member?
For Craig it's Bon Iver. For Matt and Stephen it's Arcade Fire. For Dean it's 30 Seconds to Mars.
Now here are some rapid fire questions:
Festival or gig?
Gig
Movies or TV Shows?
Movies
Download or hard copy?
Hard copy
Cats or dogs?
Catdog (rare breed)
Moshpit or standing at the back?
Moshpit
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter
Tea or Coffee?
Coffee
Recoding or gigging?
Both!
29.10 Whelan's, Dublin (sold out)
30.10 Cypress Avenue, Cork
14.11 Kavanaghs, Portlaoise
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