Æ MAK is the sound of the changing musical landscape of modern Ireland. Aoife McCann is a creative visionary whose art-pop eclecticism has been a constantly developing and changing proposition over the years. Her sound veers between sweet melodic pop, folk and electronica with little interest in the lines genres typically operate between. 

On August 10, Æ MAK will be playing We Are Workman’s as part of a series of shows celebrating the cultural presence of Workman’s Club in Dublin, brought to you by Roe & Co Whiskey. In recent times, the importance of spaces like Workman’s has been a key conversation in light of losses of creative and cultural spots to hotel and student accommodation developments and skyrocketing rent prices in Dublin. “Venues and creative spaces like the Workman’s will always be the heart of Ireland’s music scene. If we lose them we lose a massive part of our culture,” McCann states.

“They give a home and respected platform to new up and coming acts across all genres where they have the freedom to develop their craft, find their audience, their scene and the network of artists and bands that they will grow and build alongside professionally and creatively – their lifelong mates.”

“It’s also exciting to have more established international indie acts perform in The Workman’s, The Grand Social, The Sound House… as part of their EU tours or festival runs. It’s special, history in the making. These acts may be too big in the coming years to catch them in such an intimate, personal setting; where the real magic happens. Scenes and subcultures are what bring that sparked energy, inspiration and divilment into life.”

“I am a Dundalk woman. If the Spirit Store closed down we would be orphaned. For me and my buzz, it’s more enjoyable and connective as an artist to perform in these venues. 300 – 400 capacity feels very real and touchable. I feel most at home on the Workman’s stage, or the stage of The Grand Social. I miss the sweaty mouldy dancing in District 8.”

Æ MAK has turned heads and gathered a strong following with her unique approach to pop music and her strong audio-visual presentation. Until recently, that package always came entirely together from the start of her process. “That relationship was solidly fused. Any visual concepts I had knocking around my chest went hand in hand with the songwriting process and vice versa.”