Fears Q&A: "I've been quietly working away on my next record. The first one took five years so don't be expecting it anytime soon!"

The track '16' is deeply personal. How did you turn grief into art?

Most of the track was created before Sophie passed, which is how she ended up playing cello on it. A few weeks after she passed away, I went into the studio with Joe Brown and explained what happened, and he created a wonderful safe space to help build the song to the expansive soundscape it became.

Sophie Gwen Williams was heavily involved in trans activism, how can we push this cause forward? In Ireland, healthcare is clearly a pivotal problem.

The whole thing needs an overhaul. I think the way in which a cis heteronormative society often views trans issues as either none of their business or a threat is appalling. Things like hormones should be free and accessible, end of story. Respecting and valuing someone's experience, even if it's different to yours, should be the standard. I also think we should be listening to trans people on this stuff, not a cis person like myself.

You announced a London performance in May, was this a long time coming?

Yes, this has been in the works for a really long time. We've planned a night with guests that I'm so excited about, incredible artists who I love. I've lived in London on and off for the past few years, but this will be my first London show.

How do you balance time between Fears and M(h)aol?

I don't!

The video for '16' is magical, how long did it take yourself and Zoe to put the idea together and film it?

I had the idea for the video pretty much since I wrote the song. Sophie was a huge inspiration for me in how she would really embody the idea of 'go big or go home'. Any video dedicated to her had to have an element of drama and grandeur about it. I knew it had to feature the punk tulle I had made Sophie's dress out of before she passed, as I keep a bunch of it in my bedroom and think of her whenever I see it.

Since your debut album landed, what has changed in your life?

I have consistently moved goalposts for myself about what I want. I've been steadily working on trying to create new art, while also bringing what I already created to a wider audience. I'm doing this interview from Austin, Texas because I'm playing SXSW this week. I don’t think that would be happening without the record. It's become a really wonderful way to connect with people, and I value that a lot.

Any plans for a sophomore outing soon?

I've been quietly working away on my next record, but the first one took five years so don't be expecting it anytime soon!

Biggest issues within the Irish music scene, how can we improve it?

I still think we have a long way to go in terms of gender equality in Irish music. To be honest, my approach to trying to change things is just working with as few straight white cis men as possible across the board.

Who are you most excited about right now in terms of Irish music?

I'm really excited about Låpsley, who will be putting out her third record this year. I've heard it and it's incredible. Also Aga Ujma, who is an amazing harpist. And definitely, Maija Sophia who has also finished her next record. Her debut 'Bath Time' is still on heavy rotation for me.

Dream venue to perform in, and ideal collaboration?

My dream venue is the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. They have a Masonic Lodge there and it's my ultimate dream to play there. My ideal collaboration is Oliver Sim from The xx.

How do you see your music evolving in the next few years?

I hope to be able to continue creating music that connects with others. From working with Joe Brown on '16', and having such a pleasant collaboration experience, I'm looking forward to trying out more of that.

Check out the beautiful video for '16' below: