The Mary Wallopers talk new single ‘Wexford’ and making folk for a new generation

nme.com:

The Mary Wallopers have announced their new single ‘Wexford’, and told NME how they are looking to challenge perceptions of Irish folk music by making their music as accessible and thought-provoking as possible.Having gained notoriety from their lockdown livestreams, Dundalk band The Mary Wallopers have gone on to galvanise an unlikely fanbase from across the UK – and been hailed as making the traditional folk genre more accessible to a new generation.Following on from lead single ‘The Holy Ground’, the band have today (July 17) released the second track new album ‘Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll’ — a cover of Pecker Dunne’s ‘Wexford’.One of the album’s more emotive and introspective tracks, the cover sees The Mary Wallopers pay tribute to the late Irish folk icon and shed a light on the backlash faced by travellers, which often goes overlooked.“It is to show respect to the people that influence us,” guitarist Charles Hendy told NME. “The song itself is so raw and honest, it’s about him growing up in Wexford and he doesn’t sugarcoat anything in it.“It’s just an amazingly written song.

We think that Pecker Dunne deserves a bit more recognition because no one knows him — especially because he’s a traveller, he would’ve experienced a lot more prejudice.”Now, in the run-up to their new album ‘Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll’ — their second LP following on from 2022’s self-titled debut — the band have explained to NME how their political message, electric live performances and down-to-earth spirit have enabled them to revive the genre for a new era.“I suppose part of the craic of it is that so many different ages come to our gigs,” the guitarist revealed. “The songs are actually painfully relevant.