Interview w/ Cardinals: “We’ve had to learn so much this year!"

As they anticipate the release of their debut album, ‘Masquerade’, on the 13th of February 2026, we spoke with Irish up-and-comers Cardinals. The Cork-based outfit masterfully entangle gritty traditional Rock music with complex stories that stick true to the band’s Irish roots. With four fantastic singles from the album already released via So Young Records, ‘Masquerade’ promises melodic Folk and traditional Rock that has an unforgettably modern shine. Themes of identity and violence swirl into something dark and moving on this record, signalling a certain everlasting greatness in this already brilliant young band.

We sat down with the band to chat about the new record, developing together as a band and dream venues...

Photo Credit: Cardinals 2026

Q. How important is powerful storytelling through lyrics to you?

A.“It’s so important… I’ve always come from that side of songwriting, the more literary songwriters like Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen. I'm very particular with writing lyrics and what I want to say and how I want to phrase it and stuff, so I wouldn't say it takes precedence over the music or vice versa, but I just try to have them coexist.”

Q. How do you feel like your music has developed since your self-titled EP release in 2024?

A. “From [being] people who were just learning about each other and sort of growing together, not really understanding what we were doing or where it was going most of the time, to then we’ve reached somewhere where we’re able to write more cohesively and write something more together as a group. Together thematically and together sonically. So that it sounds more complete and in some ways more mature. So I guess a pretty natural progression.”

Q. What was the process of building this record? Was it a group activity or did you work individually before coming together?

A. “We write more as a group now than us as individuals. I think it depends on the songwriter, but I like the idea that bands work as a unit in, like, every way not just touring together or playing shows together. It's become more collaborative through writing the album.”

Q. What's your main creative inspiration? Are there any specific places that inspire you to create music?

A. “Just music, film, art and literature, and just conversations with people and lived experience and relationships. I try not to attach importance to a place when it comes to writing because it sort of limits you, especially if you're touring or living away. I’m back for Christmas now, this is my childhood bedroom in Cork, so South by the sea - I find that this place is pretty good, it's pretty isolated, pretty quiet.”

Q. What are the main sonic influences of the album?

A. "Everyone brings their own influences to the table. Like we listened to a lot of the band Ice Age, the Danish band. There’s a freedom to how their music flows, moves. It was a big one when we were recording, to keep that freedom in mind, to explore the sloppier side of performance.”

Q. If you could pick one song to sum up the album with which would that be? 

A. “Probably ‘Over At Last’ because it feels like the whole theme of the album is duality and ‘Over At Last’ captures the size of that, it feels very transitional.”

Q. Which tracks are you most excited to play on your upcoming album tour?

A. “We’ve actually played everything already so that's a funny one. I'd say ‘As I Breathe’ because it’s quite stripped back compared to the rest of the album and it’s one of the more vulnerable moments of the show on the night. It's been interesting to see, especially people who haven’t heard it yet, how they're taking it in. As we play it, what they're thinking or how they're feeling about it because it’s maybe not what they’d expect, so it's been an interesting one.”

Q. You said before that you wanted to create a ‘classic Cork album’ do you feel like you've achieved that? Why was that important to you?

A. “Yeah I don't put quite as much stock in that idea anymore, and I'm not even sure exactly what a ‘classic’ album is, you know? There's lots of albums that I love that maybe would be considered classics but I try not to put that pressure on it but I guess I won't really know whether or not it's a classic album until it leaves my hands and becomes public domain.”

Q. What have you already learnt from tour experiences and playing live shows?

A. “We opened for a band called ‘Been Stellar’ from New York, and this was our first support tour so we learnt a lot from those guys and that was super helpful. This year we did a tour in January and we were playing shows throughout the spring and did the album, and then we started touring in September. We didn't finish that until like two weeks ago so you just learn how to put on a show in a club properly so it's consistent.”

Q. Is there a dream venue you want to play?

A.“We always talked about the ballroom in New York City called Roseland, which is closed now. That's where we got the song name as well, for Roseland. Maybe it’ll reopen someday, maybe…”

CARDINALS HEAD OUT ON TOUR THIS FEBRUARY!

HEAD TO THEIR WEBSITE TO VIEW TOUR & ALBUM INFO