Picture this: A band who started out recording under a leaky gazebo (no, seriously) are now sharing a label roster with Nick Cave. If that's not the indie equivalent of a Rocky training montage, what is? Meet Brògeal - think Celtic folk meets indie-rock, with more grit than the sandpaper section at B&Q (Aisle 17, near the paintbrushes).

Fresh from turning Dublin upside down, Brògeal's Aidan Callaghan admits they're taking "a bit of a slow day as we try and recover." Fair enough, considering they've been going hard this past year. Landing at Play It Again Sam (casual flex), they're now label-mates with some serious heavy-hitters - though they're keeping it pretty chill.

"We've been flat out for the last year and we found ourselves in a very good place," Callaghan says, in what might be the understatement of the year. "We are keeping busy gigging and getting things sorted for the next big trip."

Meanwhile, this five-piece squad - Callaghan, Daniel Harkins, Sam MacMillan, Euan Mundie, and Luke Mortimer - have evolved from Falkirk favourites to the Avengers of folk-indie, if the Avengers played bouzouki and had better taste in plaid.

The secret to their success? According to Callaghan, it's pretty straightforward: "Patience is a virtue. It's interesting to understand how the industry works from an inside perspective, but the biggest lesson has been the importance of keeping grounded. Much better for the head." Basically, they're taking the tortoise approach in a hare-obsessed world.

This level-headed strategy extends to how they're handling their recent label signing. While clearly excited ("We are all very excited" - see?), they're maintaining the work ethic that got them here. As Callaghan explains, "We got to where we are through hard work and patience, and while it's good to have a team around us, we can't take it for granted and have to keep grafting."

Their latest single 'Friday On My Mind' showcases this evolution while staying true to their roots. "It is a celebration of falling in love and living through the honeymoon period of a romantic relationship," Daniel explains. "The lyrics are specific to myself being away from a new relationship while recording the album and 'counting down the days' til we meet again; the verses are playful and romantic, whereas the chorus is tinged with melancholy and self-doubts like many of my songs are, about perhaps going headfirst into things too quickly and the hope that the flame will still be alive once we meet again."

"I think it fits in the catalogue nicely," Callaghan notes. "This tune is a summery anthem, and while it's not the most folky, it's not really a great departure from our sound. We can do a lot."

Perhaps most intriguing is how Brògeal has managed to create a live experience that draws diverse crowds spanning multiple genres. When asked about their cross-genre appeal, Callaghan offers insight into their approach: "These are genres which we most relate to, and I suppose it's a good sign that these groups seem to relate to the music. We are also glad that people still come, even though we don't sit firmly within one specific genre. Fundamentally, we want to share our interpretation of Gaelic Celtic culture, and using elements of punk and indie can maybe make it a bit more accessible."

Life on the road has become second nature to the band, though not without its learning curve. "We're a bit of a mixed bag in that respect, and we'll certainly have our moments, but over the last year or so, we've really gained a lot of experience, and now it's something that we just love doing," Callaghan shares. "It's always going to have its challenges, but we know ourselves, and we know each other very well, so it works well for us."

Their festival experiences have been equally formative, though Callaghan admits to being a relative newcomer to the scene. "I am actually not a long-term festival goer; it's mostly been with the band. Arctic Monkeys at Glasgow Green was a real standout, but Eden Festival 2023 is by far my favourite festival experience. It was roasting, and it was nuts. I think some people died."

These festival appearances have also led to their own musical discoveries. "Confidence Man played at TRNSMT in Glasgow Green, the same year as Arctic Monkeys, and they were phenomenal," Callaghan recalls. Looking ahead to Live At Leeds, he's particularly excited about catching Los Bitchos, whom he first saw "at Ally Pally supporting King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and they were amazing."

Between tours and recordings, Callaghan finds solace in exploring Scotland's rich historical landscape. "There are hundreds of castles, ruins and gorgeous walks near where we live in Falkirk. I like to spend my time getting a bit of peace and quiet visiting these places. Nine times out of ten, when you look it up later, you'll find some ancient song or story attributed to the place."

This connection to history and place feels fundamental to understanding Brògeal's appeal. They're not just making music; they're creating a bridge between traditional Scottish culture and contemporary expression. When asked if there's anything else we should know, Callaghan's response is characteristically direct: "We are fuckin' magic." It's not bragging if it's true, right? ■