The four Cork boys who are going places.

Interview with Cutouts

The bigger the band, the more we know about them, but what about our favourite underground musicians? The ones who remain undiscovered and mysterious? The ones who have so much advice and insight to offer to others who are desperately trying to make a name for themselves, to show the world their art.

Cutouts are the kind of band you discover by accident and then want to tell everyone about. A group of four exceptionally talented lads who not only have something to say but also offer insight that any aspiring musician would benefit from hearing. My interview with them showcases exactly that.

How Cutouts Came to Be – “The Accidental Origins of Cutouts”

Cutouts are made up of Adam Walsh (vocals, guitar), Caolán Ledwidge (bass), Adam English (keys, guitar), and Jamie Conway (drums). They are a rock band with notes of indie, formed in Cork.

Frontman Adam Walsh and drummer Jamie Conway first met at a rock camp when they were kids. “They put us together with two fellas and then another fella that didn’t work,” Adam says. “But we kind of stuck together.”

Years later, Adam was working in Music Zone record shop when Caolán Ledwidge’s dad came in and asked if his son could join a band. Caolán hadn’t touched a bass before. “My dad told me the lads needed a bassist,” he says. “I’d never played bass in my life, but I joined blindly and turned out I was alright at it.”

They originally had another keyboardist, Jamie Hartigan, but he had to step away due to the distance. “He was from up the country,” Adam explains. So, when Jamie left, they brought in Adam English, and that’s how the final four members came together.

Finding Music - “From Jazz Dads to U2 on Repeat”

Music is central to each member’s life, but their paths into it are all uniquely personal.

Adam English says, “My parents always loved music, not music I was into, but they pushed me to do it. I did piano lessons from age ten, and they apparently played music for me in the womb! It’s part of who I am.” He only picked up the guitar last year, but it quickly became a part of his daily routine.

Adam Walsh jokes that he got into music for the “money and greed,” and laughs. But then he admits, “Music was something I could do at home. My dad is a jazz drummer, and I grew up listening to The Who. But I found my path with it.”

Jamie Conway started with guitar lessons in school. “My parents played U2 non-stop,” he says. He learned “Here Comes The Sun” early on, and it gave him the push to want to be in a band. He played bass from 13 to 17 before switching to drums when the band needed one.

Caolán Ledwidge grew up in a classic musical household. “In our house, it was a rule that you had to play an instrument. I started with piano, but I was shocking and never practiced. Then COVID hit, I picked up the guitar and played non-stop.” Ironically, Caolán would take the spot as the band’s bassist.

Are You in This for the Long Haul? - “Making Music a Life — or a Side Hustle”

When I asked the lads whether they planned to pursue music full-time, it sparked a genuinely honest and varied discussion, each member is at a slightly different point in figuring it all out.

Adam Walsh says, “I suppose I kind of have in my head that I’m giving the music my all for the next few years. I work in a record shop, so it’s the best place in the world to work while doing that! I reckon if we give it our all for a while, it’ll work out.”

Caolán Ledwidge says, “Definitely yes. Whether it’s being a performing musician or sound engineer, the music industry is where I see myself in the long run. The main reasoning for that is that it’s the only sort of work I’ve gotten joy out of, which, for a long-term career, is crucial in my opinion.”

Jamie Conway says, “As well as being in the band, I’m also in college studying mechanical engineering. I have a passion for both music and engineering, so whatever happens, I know I’ll be more than happy. However, if the band takes off, I’m completely on board with that. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity — I’d be stupid not to.”

Adam English says, “Unless things go well, I’m not planning on pursuing a music career. I’d love to play music as a hobby or side hustle.”

I found this section inspiring, there’s something to be said for being this grounded and honest in your early 20s. To hear each of these lads share their own vision and reality without ego shows that they’re not self-absorbed, they’re thoughtful, deliberate creatives who know themselves.

What Influenced That Decision?

Of course, a decision like this doesn’t come from nowhere. Each member’s perspective has been shaped by personal experience.

Jamie Conway: “I was always taught to have plans and then backup plans for those plans, so I suppose it’s just built into me to plan for every scenario I can think of. At this stage, though, I can’t tell which is the backup!”

Adam Walsh: “I suppose the only factors really are it being what I do, and age.”

Adam English: “I don’t think I have the mental fortitude or determination to stay in the industry long term. I’d grow frustrated with the lack of success and want to just pack it in.”

This question made me reflect on how personal a music career really is. Some thrive in uncertainty, others need clarity and control. It’s rare to get this level of vulnerability from a band, Cutouts offer it willingly.

Songwriting: “We All Believe What We Have Is Good Enough”

So, how does a band like Cutouts write their songs?

Adam Walsh: “I suppose to date I’ve come up with the song and lyrics, and the lads add their magic. Although Adam [English] has suggested putting some stuff forward. Looking forward to that — it would add another element.”

Caolán Ledwidge: “For the Cutouts, it’s Adam Walsh’s songs that he brings to us, and we figure out our own parts to add to it. When I make my own music, I usually come up with small ideas and I try to put those ideas into a metaphorical box, because with the endless number of ways you can make a song, it’s easy to get discouraged. I try to avoid that.”

Adam English: “Adam usually has the idea and lyrics, and we build around it. I’d love to start bringing some of my own ideas too — I think it’ll add something new.”

Jamie Conway: “All of the songs have started with Adam Walsh, but then he brought them to us and we developed them into what they are today.”

This collaborative energy comes across clearly when you speak to them. It’s not about hierarchy, it’s about creativity.

The EP That Wasn’t

They recorded an EP and then scrapped it.

“With the EP, the whole thing was to help fund the album,” says Adam Walsh. “There were 2 or 3 from it I thought were solid, but it was all done at home, and I ended up not feeling the best about it. It also seemed to not be doing us any favours in terms of gigs and stuff.”

Jamie Conway reflects: “It taught me that things won’t always be perfect or be exactly how you want them to be. Sometimes you have to make do with 95% — it’s better than getting nowhere just trying to ‘perfect’ something.”

Their self-awareness and maturity at this early stage are what will carry them through. They’ve already had to let go of something they worked hard on and kept going.

On Recording Originals

Now, they’re recording again with less pressure and more clarity.

Adam Walsh: “Can’t wait to start sharing stuff. Heading in soon to polish off the first single.”

Jamie Conway: “We have started recording the songs and are working on an album. We don’t have music out yet because we haven’t recorded anything fully. I personally cannot wait to add a bunch of our songs to my playlists!”

Caolán Ledwidge: “I personally love it, I can’t wait for the studio recordings to come out for everyone, and it’s nice to have people hear the songs we’ve been working on for such a long time now.”

Adam English: “I’d love to put something out there just for people who want to hear something from us outside of a live setting, but for now, we maintain our air of mystery. To find out if we are as good as everyone says, you just have to come to a show.”

Advice to Other Artists

This section is incredibly helpful for other independent artists.

Adam English: “I would advise to create whatever you can, while you can, and make it available for everyone, even if you aren’t totally happy with it. Someone might find what you made and appreciate it.”

Adam Walsh: “I’m still the one looking for advice, haha.”

Jamie Conway: “I don’t know if I’m qualified to answer this question as we have only just gotten started, but my advice is to ask for specific advice and then make the most informed decision possible.”

Caolán Ledwidge: “There’s this idea in music where it’s considered a risky career due to the whole idea of the ‘struggling artist.’ I disagree with that wholeheartedly. Whilst yes, as an artist starting out there’s not a whole lot of money in it, the music industry is massive and there are plenty of different avenues you can find yourself in with sustainable careers.”

What Do You Wish You Knew When You Started?

Adam Walsh: “How much I’d want to learn the piano.”

Adam English: “How difficult it is to run a band. I’ve been in a few bands where it’s difficult to even organise times to rehearse, let alone agree on songs to cover, and getting people to practice their parts… You can forget about writing originals. Never in a month of Sundays. Gigs? Not on your nelly, mate. Studio time? Get this guy a straightjacket.”

Caolán Ledwidge: “To surround yourself with better musicians. You learn so much more and so much faster just being around other people with more experience.”

Jamie Conway: “I guess I wish I knew that it’s not necessarily going to be easy. Everyone is going to have an opinion on what’s best for the song/album/se,t and you’re not always going to agree with those ideas. Where possible, you should always try what everyone thinks and make sure you make the best decision about it.”

Staying Authentic - “No Characters, No Pretending — Just Cutouts”

Adam Walsh: “I’m happy enough doing it on my own terms. Not just from a self-help point of view, but it keeps things simple. There’s definitely a lot of silly pressure that goes with staying authentic and a lot of things that seem a bit pointless.”

Adam English: “There has been no pressure on us to maintain an image, it’s been easy to be ourselves so far. I’ve never bought into that whole manufactured image thing. I work in retail, and even when I’m serving customers, I’d talk to them about normal things instead of playing a stupid character, it’s the same for performing. I get that performing means you have an obligation to play a character, but to me, that’s fake. It’s best to make yourself an interesting person. Iggy Pop, Fiona Apple, and Kurt Cobain come to mind. That being said, playing a character may work better if your true self is an asshole—but Cutouts aren’t assholes, we are nice and authentic.”

Caolán Ledwidge: “Really just believing that what you have is good enough, which we all do!”

Jamie Conway: “I think having confidence in who you are is important. Knowing that who you are has brought you this far, you don’t have to be inauthentic, you don’t have to live up to anyone else’s idea of you.”

Cutouts aren’t just a band trying to make it. They’re a group of musicians who are growing in real time and doing so with honesty, heart, and a whole lot of talent. They’ve already become something special. You can catch them live at The Roundy on August 12th, and you probably should.

Written by Sophie Lee.