Singing friends link up to record hit music

Singing friends link up to record hit music

30 August 2017

THEY may still be at school but Orlaith Forsythe and Mollie McGinn have just spent a very productive summer.

The teenage duo from Dundrum and Carryduff have combined their strong friendship and love of music to create an EP that has been sparking a lot of radio play time.

Known as ‘Orlaith & Mollie’, you may recognise the pair from their regular Sunday busking spot outside Victoria Square. But in between studying for A-levels at Assumption Grammar School they have also spent many nights writing and rehearsing in Mollie’s garage after getting together in December last year.

They decided that busking would be a happier alternative than getting a part time job — and busking videos reaching up to 30,000 views on Facebook encouraged them to take things more seriously.

Both play guitar and bass and began gigging at festivals, winning busking competitions and playing together on local radio stations including Blast 106, Belfast 89FM and Lynette Fay’s BBC Radio Ulster Blas Ceol show. 

Showcasing both their interpretations of old classics such as ABBA and Led Zeppelin, they proved both their writing skills and their “soaring harmonies and originality”.

Lynette Fay remarked: “They are two 17-year-old superstars in my humble opinion — definitely a duo to keep an eye and an ear out for in the future.” And with performances supporting bands Ham Sandwich and Ded Rabbit at the Soma Festival in July the girls got even more attention with Ham Sandwich’s Niamh Farrell tweeting: “These girls ROCK.”

Orlaith and Mollie’s debut EP Chains contains four tracks — Heat, Take My Shot, Twisted and Wilderness, put together with producer Rocky O’Reilly at the Start Together Studio in Belfast.

“The name for our EP comes from the first song we learnt together, ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac,” said Mollie. “We are massive fans of ‘The Mac’ and we thought we’d pay tribute to the first song we learnt together by naming the EP Chains. We are hugely in awe of the pioneering style of the iconic Stevie Nicks.

“We call ourselves simply pop rock, though we could use a few more words.”

Orlaith explained: “Our musical influences range from bands such as Led Zeppelin and ABBA, to Dolly Parton, Prince and Lady Gaga. We have our roots in traditional Irish music and whilst mainly Rock and Pop fans, we’re not shy of playing Jazz too.

“I have been a member of the local Newcastle Comhaltas branch for many years playing banjo and guitar and have participated in the annual fleadh competitions with the branch, getting through to the All Ireland Fleadh in the accompaniment competition last year.

“Mollie has been the pianist with the Ulster youth jazz orchestra (UYJO) since the age of 16, performing in venues including Belfast Cathedral, and winning a drumming scholarship to the Sligo Jazz Project this summer.”

But Mollie, just turned 18, gives her 17 year-old musical partner an extra shout out. It’s Orlaith who makes the bus trip from Dundrum to Carryduff most days to practice in Mollie’s garage.

“She’s the one who has to do 30, 40 minutes on the bus, and longer when we go to Belfast,” said Mollie.

“Then during our free periods in school we get together and do music. So yes we definitely get on well together. The radio play too has given us a lot more confidence.”

What still really excites them, though, is when people comment on the unique sound of their voices.

“People come up when we’re busking and say we must be sisters because of the way our voices blend,” said Mollie. “We’re so grateful for all the support we’ve had so far. It’s brilliant and we’ll continue to work hard at the music.”

Hoping to go straight into the world of performance after school, Mollie said there was “not too much pressure” to head to university instead.

“I think music is one of those things where you just have to get out and do it,” she added.

Amongst Orlaith & Mollie’s upcoming gigs are a spot at Culture Night on Friday, September 22 on the Talbot Stage at 9pm.

Chains is now available on all streaming platforms. For more information check out Orlaith & Mollie on Facebook.