NEW SINGLE: CLOVERS REVENGE – ‘Cúnla’ FROM UPCOMING NEW ALBUM

Must be hard being the best Irish band in Florida but somehow Clover’s Revenge put up with it and I’m sure they have the sympathy of all London Celtic Punks readers! To thank everyone they’ve a new album out this month and here’s a wee taster!

“They excel in that American genre of gritty balladry they call Irish Speed Folk.” – Irish Music Magazine

Clover’s Revenge, the Irish Speed Folk trio from Florida, found inspiration for their newest single, ‘Cúnla’, from Planxty’s hit of 1974. It was the opening track on Planxty’s album The Well Below The Valley. Like that version, it still features the hard driving pace and acoustic alchemy, but Zach Johnson’s vocal performance is more bawdy and rough and his guitar playing features bass note licks that sound more like The Scratch. ‘Cúnla’ will also be the opening track on their new album, Among Your Friends, which drops in March, 2024.

Here they are barely surviving in Florida’s heat!

The trio also decided to produce their first official music video for ‘Cúnla’. Mixing black and white and colour footage, the band channelled The Monkees and Buster Keaton as they tell the story of a hesitant lover (“Maybe we shouldn’t says Cúnla”). The video is already one of their top ten YouTube videos of all time after just a few weeks and continues to gain viewers. The band inject the traditional song with their trademark ‘Irish Speed Folk’ giving not so much a uplift as a re-invention. The perfect antidote to a band day and a guaranteed floor filler. Both of Clover’s Revenge previous albums have been very well received and I already had the pleasure of hearing Among Your Friends and their great run continues!

the Bhoys left to right: Zach Johnson – Guitar / Vocals* Beau Wilberding – Cajon Drum * John Barron – Vocals / Mandolin / Guitar *

Matthew Barlow explains the history and meaning of ‘Cúnla’,

Having said that, there are some traditional Irish songs I can listen to over and over and over again once more. ‘Cúnla’ is just such a song, I have loved this song since I was a kid. ‘Cúnla’ dates back to the 14th century and was originally composed as a lullaby, or, as it is called in Irish, a baby-tickling song. It was originally (and still is) sung in the Sean-nós style, an old-style form of Irish song, generally sung in a highly ornamented, complex form. The Sean-nós style is generally native fo the south and west of the island. It was translated into English at some point in the 18th or 19th century and versions in both languages have been recorded by nearly every traditional Irish singer, as well as their dogs. A cúnla is a son of a hound, and the lyrics of the song suggest one of those things that goes bump in the night (as an aside, I have always been struck by the idea that lullabies, if you actually pay attention to the words, are anything but soothing)

Who is that there knocking the window pane
Who is that there knocking the window pane
Who is that there knocking the window pane
Only me says Cúnla

Cúnla dear, don’t come any near to me
Cúnla dear, don’t come any near to me
Cúnla dear, don’t come any near to me
Maybe’s I shouldn’t says Cúnla

Who is that there tickling the toes of me
Only me says Cúnla

Who is that there tickling the thighs of me
Only me says Cúnla

Who is that there taking the clothes off me
Only me says Cúnla