In less than a year, Maicín have gone from bedroom demos and cramped rehearsal spaces in London to festival stages and Battle of the Band wins here at home. What started as a nickname from frontman Matt’s Nana, has become the name of one of Cork’s most promising new bands. Built on friendship, creative instinct, and a hands-on approach to making music, Maicín aren’t chasing trends or trying to fit a mould. They’re figuring it out as they go and finding something that feels entirely their own.
From childhood memories to looking forward
Maicín (pronounced mackeen — they’ve heard everything from “mawkeen” to “matchin”) began as an affectionate name from Matt’s nana. The name comes from the Irish word for ‘little man’.
“We were called The Front at first” they say. “But that felt too serious. Maicín lets us have a bit of fun, and be a bit silly”
And while there’s plenty of humour in their image, there’s also depth and sincerity. They’re not trying to project an image or fit a certain genre — just playing the music they love, together as friends.
Early Days and Rough Demos
The band’s early days started with Matt and drummer Aidan while they were living in London. “Big nervous Matthew” went to Aidan and some friends to share some early songs like ‘Che Guevara’ and ‘Socialism’s Sexy’. Matt and Aiden and began rehearsing at the weekend in Camden venue, the Roundhouse. Squeezed into a tiny space known as ‘The Jamaican Room’, they figured out the songs for how they would work.
The two lads worked on making some demos in Matt’s London bedroom. “The demos were truly terrible” they laugh. But Matt chanced his arm, and reached out to producer Oli Deakin on Instagram. Oli heard something worth developing, and once Matt and Aidan moved back home to Cork, they hooked up with bassist (& friend) Darragh, and started rehearsing as a band.
First Shows and Studio Time
Maicín’s first gig together was at Fred Zeppelin’s in Cork. At the time, they were a trio made of Matt on lead vocals and guitar, Aidan on drums and Darragh on Bass. Once they had gained confidence in their first steps and wanted to develop their sound, Méabh (Aidan’s cousin) was called in on keyboards. “I remember so clearly I was hanging out the washing” she laughs. Aidan rang for her help in figuring out some chords “Yeah it was sort of funny” she remembers, “I was like are you asking me or not, and he said “well you don’t have to”, it was more of a ‘if you want to’ type thing“. After some rehearsals and getting really confident with their material, the four of them headed to Cumbria, ready to record.
Looking back, the band realise this was a milestone for them, staying together in the house next to the studio. “We’d record ’til like midnight, go back to the house and drink a bottle of wine, mess about for a bit and back in the studio for 10am” Working with Deakin expanded their references and encouraged them to stick to the songwriting process they have, just playing.
Once friend & guitarist, Ryan, was on board, they began filling out their sound. Maicín don’t approach songwriting with a specific style or genre in mind. “Whenever we’ve tried to sound like something specific, it has kind of fallen flat” says Matt. “We just play what feels right.”
Their sound is shaped in real time — layered, often unexpected, and always collaborative. Everyone brings something different: Darragh with references, Aidan with transitions, Ryan as “harmonica extraordinaire”, Méabh helping shape lyrics and chords, and Matt writing from a place of reflection and uncertainty.
“A lot of it is just working through insecurities and ideas, and trying to make something that feels honest,” Matthew says. “We’re just playing, and it makes for way more interesting songs”
Battle of the Bands and Future Plans
Though each of the 5 members of Maicín have a competitive streak, they realised that winning BOTB wasn’t the main benefit — it was learning to take themselves seriously enough to improve. Rehearsals became more focused, and their performances gained confidence & personality.
“It [BOTB] forced us to get out of our shells…have a little more zest” they admit.
When I ask if there was anything that gave them an edge that night, I was offered a glimpse into the pre-show, green-room Maicín, full of mischief and laughter (as usual). “We’ve changed our pre show ritual we didn’t really have one before but this is mostly Ryan’s doing” Matt explains. Just imagine 5 best friends, chaotically bouncing around an empty green room to ‘Where’s Me Jumper?‘. After Ryan calms himself down first, of course. “we were thinking, let’s get hyped up and then Ryan says “guys I gotta calm down, if I hype in my current state, I’m gonna die“” laughs Matt.
They also spoke about how important it was for them to know their setlist inside out & upside down. “We like to know what we’re doing on stage, we’re not ones for improvisation” This comes from being conscious with their time during rehearsals, in preparation for the competition. “Because then you can put way more energy into it and you don’t feel like you’re going to die“. A sentiment I’m sure any musician can relate to.
As for what’s next? “hit the gwiddy on widdy” in the Féile Solas Festival on Widdy Island this summer (I’ll let you guess which band member said that). They will also have some music coming out “sooner than [we] know“, those of you who have attended gigs and are familiar with their setlist might guess which songs to expect!
Long term? they’re working on that. “We just wanna play together as long as we can” it’s clear to anyone that has the privilege of watching Maicín live, they have a great dynamic. “The onstage dynamic is our dynamic” Matt explains. They’re just great friends who happen to make great music together and the rest of us are lucky enough to watch it unfold.
Fast Al’s Orders
- Margherita for Méabh
- Chicken & Pepperoni for Ryan
- Pepperoni & chilli garlic dip for Aidan
- Veggie with Feta cheese for Matt (if he’s feeling fancy)
- Literally anything for Darragh
Get your tickets to Féile Solas 2025 here
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