Colm Mac Con Iomaire: Have violin, used to travel

With young kids, globetrotting got too much for the Frames violinist. Now he’s happy to hone his art at home, writes Ed Power

COLM Mac Con Iomaire doesn’t miss The Frames. He spent most his young adulthood traversing the globe with Glen Hansard’s plucky crew, his keening violin notes a signature aspect of their sound. However, the violinist and composer has lately taken a step away to focus on his solo career. In his 40s and with a family, living out of a suitcase doesn’t hold the appeal it once did.

“I’ve been around the world so many times — the glamour wears thin,” he says. “There is an aspect of having seen the wizard behind the curtain. Having kids, being away from home for a long time doesn’t make a lot of sense. The transition to writing music has been welcome.”