Goddess Matrona: “There’s something special about bass players…”
Among the record releases for next June 5th is the second album of Goddess Matrona, “Hate that I care”which follows the titled debut two years later “For your sins”. Who are they Goddess Matrona? Soon said, is a duo originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, composed of Orláith Forsythe And Mollie McGinnactive since 2018, which owes its rise to a series of videos published on the web in which they propose versions of some rock classics on the streets of their city. “We would meet on the weekend, leave the house in the morning and not come back all day. I think there was one summer where we busked pretty much every day.”
Orláith and Mollie have known each other since school and if there is one thing they care about it is artistic independence, which is why they self-produced their first album, rejecting the offer of a major record company (“We believe that major labels should offer much more ethical contracts to artists. Especially considering the current streaming landscape, record contracts are not the main way to earn money from your music”), and the new album is released on AWAL (Artists Without a Label), an independent record label that offers itself as an alternative to the traditional record company model. A label that offers its artists creative independence and full ownership of the music published, ideals in line with the philosophy of the two young Irish girls.
After years of apprenticeship playing everywhere and with anyone, in 2024 the Goddess Matrona they release their first album, “For yours left”which receives good reception, especially in the independent music circuit. During the following year the duo had the opportunity to support concerts of big names such as Corrs, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams And Darkness. Live collaboration with Sting will be repeated again this year, next month some concerts of the former frontman’s new tour will open Police.
The new album “Hate that I care” marks a decisive step forward in the career of Goddess Matrona. An album in which the two girls have a greater awareness of themselves. Speaking about the title track, Mollie revealed: “When we weren’t on tour, I fell into a nightly rut and distanced myself from many of the people I care about. ‘Hate That I Care’ is written for myself, not anyone else, and captures the exhaustion that comes from masking emotions and trying to be authentically present.”
While they explain of the album that it is a very personal work: “People have always tried to guess who we are, both musically and personally. Our second album, “Hate That I Care”, is an answer to this: it is more personal, more honest and more aware of the world around us than anything we have done before. It reflects the pressure of having to appear stronger than we naturally are and the feeling of not really belonging here. Making this album made us realize how similarly we deal with things: we We lock ourselves away, keep ourselves busy, and process all our emotions by writing songs that embrace our values.”
About the name Goddess Matrona (Mother Goddess) is borrowed from Celtic mythology. While if you happen to see them in concert you will notice how Orláith and Mollie sometimes exchange bass and guitar. This is a habit developed in the days when they played on the street and had a rather heavy bass, so heavy that they had to pass it to each other to share the load. “We both prefer to play bass. Bass players are also the coolest. I know the music industry favors guitarists, but there’s something special about bass players. Hearing a bass coming from a sound system… When you’re on stage, you can hear that deep rumble. And then there are fewer pedals to press! Playing the guitar and singing is difficult, but it’s pressing the pedals that can be the trickiest thing…”
Tracklist:
Hate That I Care
My Own Party
A Rebel Song
Aisling
John Doe
Wait
Magic Spell
Summer Rain
Siren Song
Told U I’m Strange
