Irish Music Spotlight: Amble
Amble began to take shape following a chance meeting between vocalist Robbie Cunningham and guitarist Oisin McCaffrey, who inducted mandolinist Ross McNerney into the band. McNerney’s induction eventually culminated into a “gigging group” who wanted to play in live venues for the “love of music and free drinks”. As their covers gained popularity in Galway’s pubs, the trio quit their day jobs and started playing music full time. The band’s unique selling point, however, lies in the distinctive songwriting abilities which they bring to the recording table. Their EP debut with “Amble (Live)” in 2023, immediately impressed critics, who praised their acoustic ‘Irishness’ and thoughtful lyrics.
Nostalgia Through Folk Beats
Amble’s reposeful style comes alive in their 2024 EP “Of Land And Sea”. The song chronicles disillusionment due to hypocrisy of the modern world. Accompanied by rich vocals and soft folk beats, a wave of inescapable nostalgia is sure to sweep across when you hear it for the first time. The final verses that yearn for familiarity are particularly touching: “I want all my jokes to land a punch/I want chimney smoke from the house I dug/To blow over the graves I know”.
Similarly, songs “Lonely Island” and “Mary’s Pub” underscore the synergistic trio’s finesse, turning Amble into a quintessential folk band. Amble’s recent EP “Schoolyard Days” released on March 7, 2025, encapsulates the beauty of simpler times. Paying homage to innocence and effervescence of childhood, the song reminds the listener about the placidity of their early years. The final verses (once again) pull the listener back to reality: “My brother those days are gone/So go on now, go fly, go fly”. Amble’s consistent ability to elicit tears of happiness and evoke contemplation make the band a suitable musical companion on long car rides. With more than 580,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Amble is an Irish band to add to your playlist.
Amble’s new album Reverie comes out on May 23.
Amble Announces Tour Dates:
June 23 – Fenway Park, Boston, MA
June 26 – Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
June 30 – Ford Wyoming Center, Casper, WY, US
July 2 – First Interstate Arena At MetraPark, Billings, MT, US
September 23 – Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA, US
October 5 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, US
October 7 – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ, US
Featured Image Credits: Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels