Prior to their headlining performance on the BBC Introducing stage, Karen had the opportunity to sit down with the acclaimed Irish all-female band, Biird. The group shared their thoughts and experiences in an exclusive interview, offering valuable insights into their musical journey and what fans can expect from their upcoming set.
Karen (Scottish Music Network):
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Karen, and I’m delighted to be here today on behalf of the Scottish Music Network.
Biird:
Let’s do this, Karen!
Karen:
Fantastic! Let’s get things underway.
Biird:
Why don’t we start by introducing ourselves? I’m Mia Lewin, though I perform under the stage name Lulu.
Karen:
Lovely to meet you,
Biird:
Lulu. I’m Lisa.
And I’m Laura.
I’m Ciara.
I’m Ashleigh.
I’m Hannah.
And I’m Mino, or Niamh – apologies for the confusion, formerly known as – oh, sorry!
Karen:
It’s wonderful to meet all of you. Are you looking forward to performing on stage today?
Biird:
Absolutely, we’re very excited!
Karen:
That’s fantastic to hear. I’m really looking forward to your set. Welcome to TRNSMT! Is this your debut performance at the festival?
Biird:
Yes, this is our first time performing at TRNSMT.
Karen:
That’s excellent! I’m sure you get this question often, but I have to ask: could you share the story behind your band name?
Biird:
Certainly. The name dates back to 2012, when I first envisioned starting an all-female band. I was searching for a name that would carry meaning. In our vernacular, “bird” can refer to someone who is not only beautiful, but also admirable and talented. We’d often say, “She’s a bird.” Though the term has sometimes been used in a male-centric or even negative context, we wanted to reclaim it and make it our own.
Karen:
That’s a fascinating origin – the way you’ve redefined the term for yourselves is truly compelling. How is everyone feeling ahead of tonight’s set? Any nerves, or just excitement?
Biird:
Definitely excited!
Yes, we can’t wait.
Karen:
You’re closing the stage this evening, which is quite an honour.
Biird:
Yes, we’re thrilled about it.
Karen:
I hope you’ll have a fantastic crowd. Are there any new songs making their debut in tonight’s performance?
Biird:
Absolutely – there’s plenty of new material in the setlist.
Karen:
That’s wonderful. It must be exciting to share new music with your audience.
Biird:
It’s actually quite unique: although we’ve been touring for two years, we haven’t released any recorded music yet. We’re doing things a bit differently – almost old-fashioned. People often ask us about releases, but we’re taking our time in the studio. We want to ensure the music is just right before sharing it with the world.
Karen:
That makes sense. The creative process can be a journey in itself.
Biird:
Exactly. Just a couple of weeks ago, we played our own headline show, and tonight marks our first performance for a Glasgow audience.
Karen:
I did some research ahead of our interview and noticed there’s still a bit of mystery surrounding you.
Biird:
That’s intentional – we enjoy maintaining some intrigue!
Karen:
I also saw that you performed on The Late Late Show back in 2025. That must have been both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Biird:
Absolutely. We actually had the opportunity to perform on the show the year before as well, and if anything, we were even more nervous then – it was only our second appearance on television. 2025 was our official debut on The Late Late, and since it’s now 2026, it feels like just yesterday!
Being on The Late Late Show is a major milestone in Ireland, almost a rite of passage. Having our family present made it especially meaningful. Our parents and grandparents were incredibly proud.
Karen:
That’s a wonderful achievement. Let’s talk about your songwriting process. Are you constantly working on new material?
Biird:
Without a doubt – she never stops!
It’s a continuous process.
Karen:
It sounds like your creative output is in very capable hands.
Biird:
Thank you! We do our best. Since we’re independent, self-managed, and self-funded, it can be challenging to find time to write as much as we’d like. However, we make the most of any opportunity. Recently, we spent ten days at Decoy Studios in Suffolk, writing intensively between tour dates. We’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with some fantastic songwriters – Paul Brady, Kate Nash, Big Pig, Rena Connolly, and Amy Walsh, to name a few.
Karen:
It’s genuinely inspiring to see such determination and resilience, especially as women navigating the music industry. The Scottish Music Network will be following your journey closely, and I hope we’ll see you back at TRNSMT next year.
Biird:
We’d love that!
Karen:
I look forward to catching up with you again and hearing about your progress. Are there any artists you’re particularly excited to see perform at the festival?
Biird:
Lewis! We’re huge Lewis Capaldi fans – we can’t wait to catch his set.
Lewis, we want to be right at the front for you!
Karen:
It sounds like you’re ready to fully embrace the TRNSMT experience. It’s been a real pleasure speaking with you all.
Biird:
Thank you so much – it’s been great!
Karen:
For our readers, be sure to check out the full interview and accompanying photos on the Scottish Music Network website. Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to seeing you all soon. Enjoy the festival!
Biird:
Thank you! Goodbye!
Interview by Karen Edmond
