The name Mên An Tol comes from a formation of Cornish standing stones; your debut EP is entitled ‘The Country’, and its follow-up will be ‘This Land’. Can you tell us a bit about how notions of place or regional/national identity figure in your work?Regarding the name, one answer is that it just sounds cool for a folk-rock band. The other is that, I guess, it’s a symbol from the past, and a part of human history we’ve lost: [the idea of] being once more connected to each other, maybe a oneness of all people. The titles for the songs and their content was never really planned. As they kept coming it became more apparent there was a theme. But it’s just what came out: I think you subconsciously write the songs you want to hear, and I think we’re in need of a bit of positivity and understanding right now.
Your recent single ‘Not Ideal’ was produced by Fontaines DC’s Carlos O’Connell. How did this collaboration come about? What was it about his ideas or vision for the track that drew you to him? He came and watched us play at one of our residency gigs at The Dublin Castle in Camden, and we got chatting after. We went for a pint and it turned out we had a lot in common and I instantly felt that doing something together would work. It was really fascinating to watch him at work in the studio trying things we’d never think of doing. He has a very accurate ear and really knows how to bring out the emotion of a song through delivery and sound.
What’s your worst musical habit? Probably karaoke – everyone I know is sick of ‘Dirty Old Town’ at this point.
Finally, DIY are coming round for dinner – what are you making?Something Indian – my uncle used to work a lot fitting Indian restaurants and learnt a lot from the chefs and owners, and it’s kinda been passed on. You’re bringing the beers though.
