Voice-notes and lockdowns

Remember when you were figuring out your sourdough starter? “Working” or “studying” from home? Going for another feckin’ walk? During the COVID-19 lockdowns, tucked away in a quiet corner of Cork, two long-time friends had started something magic. “Really far back Mirrors stuff was just doing a voice-note over Fionnán’s guitar” lead singer, Jodie Lyne explains. Lead guitarist Fionnán would send pieces over the phone and Jodie would add vocals and lyrics. Though it started as a hobby, an offer of a gig lead them to form as a band. “We just happened to get offered a gig…and then we were just like, oh f*ck, we actually can just start gigging“

Though some of their paths had crossed in years previous (when Jodie joined Zoe’s secondary school, she [Zoe] thought she [Jodie] was so cool because she went to see the 1975) their invisible string didn’t tie them together until they became friends with each other and Charlie – the rhythm guitarist – on the UCC Music Society. “We all knew of each-other for so long… the three of us kind of became buddies through that” [UCC Music Soc]. Zoe had originally depped for their bass player for a few gigs and joined on a permanent basis around a year ago along with Junior/JR – the drummer – during a period of transition from regular gigging to writing more original material.

While theres no official story behind their name, there seem to be a few rumors floating around on how ‘Mirrors’ was chosen. Though these seem to be traced back to Fionnán, as he has a “habit of making up random stories” whenever anyone asks, the other members listen in too, as “[you] never know what he’s gonna say“. Amazing.

What was that one we played last week?

Drawing influence from the likes of The Cranberries, Just Mustard and Mazzy Star, Mirrors lay down a solid foundation of sound, reinforced with rock, shoegaze and Celtic contemplation. While their early blueprints aimed to emulate a specific style, their creative process has since evolved and they no longer confine themselves when sketching out ideas in rehearsal. “We kind of pigeon-holed ourselves before, wanting to be taken seriously” they admit, “[but now] There’s no restrictions or nothing that we’re trying to chase, it’s the sound we all naturally come together as“

When writing, Mirrors move quickly. Their process usually begins with someone playing an idea, Jodie whips out lyrics from her song book and the rest builds from there. Though it’s fast paced, it is never rushed. “We all get into a room, someone starts playing, then someone else jumps in… It always feels organic” they explain. Though they will write multiple songs in a rehearsal, each is methodically tested. First, is it memorable? “if we remember it the next week, it’s probably worth keeping“. Second, is it worth replacing an older song in the set? If so it’s on to the final round – the gig test. If the band are excited to play the new songs, the crowd connects well with it and they come off stage buzzing for the next gig to do it all again, it sticks. ‘When we all come off thinking, “Oh my God, I want to go up again and play those new songs,” that’s how we know‘ This kind of structured and critical approach to songwriting and setlist curation is rare but it’s part of what earned Mirrors‘ reputation as putting on some of the best live shows in Cork and beyond.

It takes a village…

When it comes to live performances, Mirrors are committed to giving outstanding performances each time, regardless of crowd size or venue. You can always count on them for an exciting show, but what drives the endless enthusiasm? Friendship and a love for the music they’re playing. “Like when we’re playing, we’re just in what we’re playing…we’re almost putting on the jackets of the song, embodying the music” bassist Zoe Callanan explains, “[we’re] just happy to be hanging out with [our] friends on stage“. That love is always reflected back to them by the community they’ve built, because Mirrors isn’t just a band. It extends beyond the five on stage, to an entire ecosystem whose roots travel down into the earth, interconnecting everyone involved. “Our friends have met through Mirrors… friends from completely different groups… it’s such a wealthy community” These connections, that may not have happened if Mirrors never were, are prized as their greatest success, as Jodie beautifully puts it ” No matter what happens with Mirrors… I’ll look back at this as the most incredible years of my life” The joy, friendship and authenticity at the heart of Mirrors is unmistakeable to anyone fortunate enough to orbit within their world.

Framing Forward

“the [music] industry is always changing… if we believe in our core values and our passion, then it’ll take us wherever we want to go.”

Having already released the first track ‘Drowning‘ from their upcoming EP ‘Eyes Like Mine‘ with the full set due to be released in October and a UK/Ireland tour to follow, spanning cities such as Cork, Galway, Dublin, Brighton and London, Mirrors are undeniably going places. But success, to them, isn’t measured in numbers or industry milestones. It’s in those magic moments on stage where everything clicks, when they reach a group state of flow in rehearsal and the sheer joy of creating music with friends. Flying high with their feet on the ground, for Mirrors “passion will always overtake desire”. They know what they’re doing and more importantly, why. They’re not chasing trends or pandering to industry heads. They’re playing music with their best friends. They’ve already made it.

Fast Al’s Orders

• x2 Pepperoni if they’re doing a gig (veggie if they’re not doing a gig)
• x2 Margarita
• x1 Hawaiian (excellent choice Zoe, pineapple on pizza abú)
• x1 Spicy chicken
• and literally anything for Fionnán (there’s always one)

@mirrorsband