Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We’ll Divide and conquer
Irish folk band reveal how they came to play on Ed Sheeran’s latest mega album
When Ed Sheeran contacted Irish folk group Beoga last summer, it was the start of an adventure that would see them co-write and perform on Sheeran’s chart-topper Galway Girl.
Sheeran – who has a grandmother in Wexford – was keen to get the sound of his Irish roots on his Divide album.
Eamon Murray – four-time Ireland bodhran playing champion and Beoga founder member – received an email from Ed after mutual friend, Northern Irish musician Foy Vance, introduced the star to the group’s music.
“We arranged to come over to Suffolk last summer to play some stuff for his new album,” says Eamon.
“We didn’t know at that stage what would come of it and we were all just sussing it all out. We flew in early in the morning, got set up and Ed joined us along with Foy Vance, Amy Wadge and Johnny Mcdaid.
“We just hung out and started playing a few ideas. It was really easy going, just musicians sitting around and trying to click into a good rhythm for recording.”
Ed and the group soon recreated the freewheeling mood that was required.
“The atmosphere was great, really easy going and a good vibe for recording,” Eamon recalls.
“There was a big gang of us hanging out and the weather was lovely so we just sat outside and played some music and then went in and recorded a few bits. It was really organic.”
Having familiarised himself with Beoga’s material before recording, Ed had clear ideas how their music could be used.
“He knew of our piece Minute 5, so at one stage we were playing around with the Galway Girl idea and Ed was like ‘Would Minute 5 work in there?’
“That was the start of it. We tracked the melody and chord idea in two takes and Ed did the vocals that night in his studio.”
Next week, Beoga play Glastonbury and Murray is tightlipped about whether or not their famous pal will turn up to guest.
But the success of last summer’s collaboration still shines bright.
“We made a lot of music and weren’t sure what would make the cut. Ed’s a really productive writer and we were delighted to have been involved in Divide.”
Beoga play the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on Sunday, June 25 at 1.35pm