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Uragh are a modern metal outfit based in Dublin, Ireland. The quartet’s debut full-length album Maelstrom has just been released and bassist Sebastian Sparr was on hand to talk about the album, as well as providing the background information on the band.
What are the origins of Uragh, how long have you been playing together?
Marcelo, our guitarist, had a whole bunch of demos ready that he recorded during the pandemic. After his previous band, Sectile, disbanded he was keen to make music again. He found our drummer Jason online in late 2021 and they started jamming and hitting it off. I, Sebastian on bass, joined the lads in early 2022. We rehearsed his first four songs without a singer – we finally found our singer Craig, whom we knew from his previous band Outbreak, in the summer of that year and convinced him to join Uragh.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Uragh?
Generally, we struggle to describe our sound a little … I’d say that we are a progressive metal band with an emphasis on heaviness but we cover a whole range of emotions with our songs. There are filthy, heavy riffs and bass lines on top of weird time signatures, but also quieter almost tender moments that take you on a bit of a journey.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Our first gig was special. It was a competition where you progress to the next round by crowd or judge vote to eventually get the chance to play at Bloodstock Festival in the UK. We as a band had never played in front of anybody and had no idea what the crowd reaction might be. Some members of the band hadn’t played on a stage in ages as well, so it was very exciting and nerve-wracking. The gig was absolutely amazing, people were really into it and we got voted to the next round by the judges. You can watch us perform Capsize at that gig here.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We have a whole bunch of new demos waiting but we are rehearsing our album Maelstrom mainly, which came out on April 19th, as we have a bunch of shows coming up to promote it. Check out our debut album on Spotify.
In terms of a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel Uragh would be best suited to open for?
We just opened for the amazing Urne from the UK in Dublin. We feel that it was an excellent match.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
There are countless bands in our Irish metal scene that are truly amazing and working so hard in the underground that deserve more attention and success. On top of my head I can think of LaVein, Hashmaker, Horrenda, AeSect, Nomadus, Haint, and many more, the list goes on. Go check them out please and spread the word.
What frustrates you about the music business?
We are not really in the game long enough and experienced enough to have huge frustrations yet. It’s not a frustration but more of an observation, there is an enormous, unprecedented flood of releases every day, and in metal, that’s no different. We are part of that of course. It is very challenging to get yourself noticed, get people engaged, and take the time to listen to your music. It is also hard to get paid for gigs which is something that surprises me. There are people out there, who just expect you to play for free … which astonishes me. Every artist or service provider gets paid for their time and troubles, but as a young band, you are supposed to be grateful to just get the opportunity to play? We are all sacrificing time and money to get to places so at least help us out with some petrol money, it’s not much bands are asking for.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
Marcelo, our guitarist, has this anecdote where he saw a dude play Come As You Are by Nirvana on acoustic guitar, and that blew him away. He wanted to be able to do that. I think for me it was seeing Santana on our little market square of my hometown in southern Germany. I was maybe 8 and it was a beautiful summer night and the man and band were on fire. Later someone gave me an AC/DC tape Let There Be Rock, Malcom’s cutting, precise rhythm guitar made me pick up a guitar and ask my parents for lessons. Jason’s earliest memory is listening to Michael Jackson with his dad in the car. Craig’s one was performing “Killing in the Name of” with his uncle for his 18th birthday
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Experimental dark Irish folk/trad act ØXN at Vicar Street in Dublin, amazing. I think the other lads all went to the Sylosis gig last. It’s rather common for us to attend gigs together.
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
We as a band don’t want to comment on political or social issues publicly. In our day and age of social media derangement there are enough angry opinions floating around, no one needs ours.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
The latest Dua Lipa album lol … My daughter loves it and I secretly love it too. But worry not, as soon as she is old enough to stomach it, I will subject her to A Blaze In The Northern Sky by Darkthrone. Craig’s is Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams and Jason’s Travis Scott Astroworld.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
Ah here … too many to mention. I am a fan of VfB Stuttgart though … we are all fans of Air Fryers. We also do like our football so Craig is a Liverpool supporter, Jason goes for Man Utd and Marcelo to his hometown team São Paulo F.C.
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
I love the new Darkthrone, Black Tusk, Castle Rat, and I am rediscovering Kylesa. What a brilliant band, hope they’ll come back soon. Marcelo’s been listening to Cattle Decapitation, Portishead, Faith No More (back to it thanks to me), Puscifer, Death, and many others. Craig’s currently on an obsessed phase for Rivers of Nihil, also getting back to Emmure after a long time.
What does 2024 hold for Uragh?
It was already a very eventful year for us with amazing gigs and of course the release of our album Maelstrom. We will be playing as many gigs as possible to promote the album and the second half of the year we’d like to dedicate to working on new songs and writing.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with the band?
We do play the social media game yes, cause we have to. Check out uraghband.com where you will be able to access all our socials. We upload content on a regular basis and interact with people mainly on FB and Instagram. On our YouTube channel @uraghband you can watch our official videos and live videos. I think Marcelo is trying to get our TikTok game going, but to be honest, I personally am too old for this shit.
URAGH:
Craig Murphy – Vocals
Marcelo Varge – Guitar
Sebastian Sparr – Bass
Jason Hodgkins – Drums
