January 2025
Being in the Flow
Verve, spunk and drive are just a few words that can define Socks in the Frying Pan. The trio (Aodan Coyne on guitar and lead vocals, Shane Hayes on accordion, and younger brother Fiachra Hayes on fiddle) are a multi-awarded band from County Clare on the West coast of Ireland. They began playing in 2014, and thus far have toured in 46 different states of North America. The group is currently on tour in the States.
Jupiter Index: What other musicians in the industry have made a difference for you or inspired your music?
Shane Hayes: Wow there are really too many to mention. We grew up in Ennis-the trad music Mecca where so many of our friends and family play. You probably take some inspiration from all of them in some form or another! That said, our favourite bands growing up were Queen, Thin Lizzy and Creedence Clearwater Revival!
JI: What is the hardest thing about making your record? is it the writing? Or the recording?
SH: Maybe getting into the ‘flow’ state. Whether writing or recording, if you’re paddling upstream, it’s always a challenge. You could be trying to write the first half of a song for weeks and then write the second half in an hour! Same with recording-we could get it down in an hour but if we’re in the zone, ideas start coming out of nowhere and all of a sudden something really cool is coming together.
JI: Some people view music as being progressive and some view it as lacking the soul and spirit of past musical generations: what's your take on Irish music today?
SH: I definitely think it’s in a better place than ever. The tradition is preserved by the people that play that style, and then some people are taking it in more directions. I think even in my lifetime a big difference is the argument isn’t tradition versus progressive anymore but rather progressive in multiple directions. It has become more of a spectrum where some people may be a little of this and a little of that, others may be all one end or all the other. It’s evolving-and that’s great!
JI: You've been in the music business for a little while now, are there any major changes within the industry that you find interesting or majorly noteworthy?
SH: Well from a music standpoint, just what I was saying about the evolving spectrum. From the business standpoint, I think maybe some Irish bands are finding themselves breaking into different circuits and genres. We’ve had some great success in bluegrass circles and even playing a lot of more popular stages too which is great to see.
JI: What advice would you give to an up-and-coming musician?
SH: Don’t do it! Ah no, only joking. It’s often a tough road to travel, but very rewarding. Never ever lose sight of where you came from and always take a minute to appreciate where you’ve gotten to. The small kid that happily practiced at home alone is now about to take the stage to play for tens, hundreds, thousands of people. The small kid that idolized certain musicians now gets to play alongside them and chat to them as friends on the circuit. If you never lose sight of that, the job is infinitely more rewarding. And to keep building-yourself, the band, whatever. Keep building!
JI: Would you like to add anything more about the band’s music and your upcoming tours?
SH: Yes!! Please do check out our website for tour dates-we get to a lot of places so we’ll surely be nearby you soon! We’re in ‘118 North’ in Wayne, PA on January 12th right after 2 gigs in NH so if anyone is in the area-please do stop by!
by G.M. Burns

Shane Hayes: Wow there are really too many to mention. We grew up in Ennis-the trad music Mecca where so many of our friends and family play. You probably take some inspiration from all of them in some form or another! That said, our favourite bands growing up were Queen, Thin Lizzy and Creedence Clearwater Revival!
JI: What is the hardest thing about making your record? is it the writing? Or the recording?
SH: Maybe getting into the ‘flow’ state. Whether writing or recording, if you’re paddling upstream, it’s always a challenge. You could be trying to write the first half of a song for weeks and then write the second half in an hour! Same with recording-we could get it down in an hour but if we’re in the zone, ideas start coming out of nowhere and all of a sudden something really cool is coming together.
JI: Some people view music as being progressive and some view it as lacking the soul and spirit of past musical generations: what's your take on Irish music today?
SH: I definitely think it’s in a better place than ever. The tradition is preserved by the people that play that style, and then some people are taking it in more directions. I think even in my lifetime a big difference is the argument isn’t tradition versus progressive anymore but rather progressive in multiple directions. It has become more of a spectrum where some people may be a little of this and a little of that, others may be all one end or all the other. It’s evolving-and that’s great!
JI: You've been in the music business for a little while now, are there any major changes within the industry that you find interesting or majorly noteworthy?
SH: Well from a music standpoint, just what I was saying about the evolving spectrum. From the business standpoint, I think maybe some Irish bands are finding themselves breaking into different circuits and genres. We’ve had some great success in bluegrass circles and even playing a lot of more popular stages too which is great to see.

SH: Don’t do it! Ah no, only joking. It’s often a tough road to travel, but very rewarding. Never ever lose sight of where you came from and always take a minute to appreciate where you’ve gotten to. The small kid that happily practiced at home alone is now about to take the stage to play for tens, hundreds, thousands of people. The small kid that idolized certain musicians now gets to play alongside them and chat to them as friends on the circuit. If you never lose sight of that, the job is infinitely more rewarding. And to keep building-yourself, the band, whatever. Keep building!
JI: Would you like to add anything more about the band’s music and your upcoming tours?
SH: Yes!! Please do check out our website for tour dates-we get to a lot of places so we’ll surely be nearby you soon! We’re in ‘118 North’ in Wayne, PA on January 12th right after 2 gigs in NH so if anyone is in the area-please do stop by!

by G.M. Burns