Hey Clare – thanks for joining us! Can you tell me what was the best new album you heard in 2016? “Haven’t actually managed to hear the whole album yet, but Airbourne‘s Breakin’ Outta Hell is top class! We were fortunate enough to be invited to meet the guys and hear 6 tracks off it at s private listening party in Stockholm. It’s killer!”

I’ll take your word for it. Can’t stand them myself! What about old stuff – did any reissues grab your attention this year? “Fleetwood Mac – Mirage”

That’s more like it! What was your non-musical highlight of the last twelve months? “Oh! Good question! I need to think about this one as everything musical comes to mind! Three of us in the band turned thirty! A lot of people get scared about getting older whereas I’ve totally embraced it! For the first time in my life I feel completely comfortable in my skin and happy with the person I have become! Eternal youth! And seeing our bass player Linda get married in October was a very special moment! The first of the Thundermothers is now MARRIED!”

Please convey our warmest congratulations to her! And what have you found particularly disappointing about the wider world in 2016? “I think the continuous wars are just horrific. Innocent people being victims of some terrible conflicts between countries. And then we have Trump… I’ll say no more!”

Do you think the music scene – and our sort of music in particular – is in good shape at the minute? “I think the music scene has definitely evolved a lot since I’ve personally known it. With the ability to access so much music online now it’s definitely a better platform for rock and metal artists to continue to keep it alive especially as we can share with countries who still appreciate it as much as they did in the seventies and eighties, with the help of Spotify etc. It’s in good shape yes but of course it’s tougher keeping it ‘alive’ these days”.

​Did anything disappoint you musically in 2016? “The thing that disappointments me are the churned out artists from reality shows such as X Factor, Idol et cetera. Every year it bugs me to see somebody rise to such extreme fame without the heartache (in most cases) that all us struggling musicians face”.

​And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down, mores the pity… Which practitioners of your own musical role impressed you most this year? “Airbourne! Again these guys are just incredible and continue to make amazing album after amazing album just when you think it can’t get better! And they are just as amazing live! I’m a huge country fan also and got to see some truly amazing artists that I follow live at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville this September”.

​And continuing on those lines, overall what is the best live act you’ve seen this year? “Unfortunately due to my hectic solo music career as well as being in Thundermother, I don’t have the opportunity to go to concerts so much.
But we played some pretty big festivals and I got to see some amazing acts such as Tenacious D, Flogging Molly, Hardwell, Craig David, Whitesnake and Airbourne“.

​That’s 2016 wrapped up – what does the next twelve months hold in prospect for you? “Big things hopefully! Thundermother are currently writing and started recording for the third album. We will hopefully get on the road even more and have the album out by September if we can. And I am releasing a solo EP this November and will hopefully get an album out by the end of next year too!”

Blimey! busy, busy busy! Which band, if any, do you think is primed to break out into the wider consciousness in 2017? “Thundermother”.

​Of course! Let’s hope so! We’re fast approaching the festive season – best night for a party – Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? “I would always say New Years as Christmas Eve is usually spent at home with just the family (after a few pints in the pub in Ireland of course!) New Year is more party orientated for us!”

It’s not quite November yet so we’re not going to ask for a New Year’s Resolution – but what musical feat do you hope to attain next year? “Supporting AC/DC is still on on the cards so that would be a dream! But just to hopefully breakthrough with the third album and go worldwide and make this our full time career”.

​Anything else you’d like to say to the readers of Sentinel Daily? “Just a big thank you for the continued support as without the fans we couldn’t do what we do. Sounds cliched but it’s very true. As long as you believe in us we will continue to make great music! Happy Christmas and New Year to you all! Now go get drunk!!!”

Will do!