Internet phenomenon Crystal Swing have continued to gain huge attention since one of their videos, 'He Drinks Tequila' went viral last week. Since the Cork Independent spoke to band leader Mary Burke last week, they have appeared on national radio, almost all the national papers and will soon appear on The Late Late Show.

Mary describes how their lives have changed. "It's crazy at the moment. The attention has literally changed everything. We're even beginning to get recognised in the street!" she said.

"Every paper has been onto us. We can't wait for the Late Late Show appearance. It will be on 12 or 19 March, we think. The date is not fully confirmed yet," according to the Midleton woman. Mary is not sure what their performance will entail. "I think Ryan Tubridy will be having some few words with us, as well as playing live."

Embargo controversy

After their video became a huge hit on YouTube, Crystal Swing appeared on Sean Moncrieff's radio show on Newstalk. Following that appearance, they were signed up for the Late Late Show. It seems that since then, they have been prevented from appearing on any other TV or radio shows.

"We are very, very grateful to Sean Moncrieff for having us on national radio and putting us on his website and for all the promotion but the Late Late Show want an exclusive, so we are putting everything on hold until then. It's a fantastic platform for Derek and Dervla to try and get a career going. For Mary the ideal would be for "a big band to come in, top class musicians and they could tour with them as a twosome." She explains, "as a threesome we worked very well, but they want to have a career, play big shows and maybe tour America."

"All the reaction we have received has been very positive. The only thing is the impact on their schooling. They had to come out of school today to do a photo shoot."

Both Derek (18) and Dervla (17) still intend to do their Leaving Certificate although if there is a big offer from someone Mary said they would consider it. "Derek had intended trying to get recognition after he does his Leaving Certificate in June anyway but it has happened already!" she explained.

The group has no plans for any big gigs at the moment. "We need to focus on the Late Late Show and to take time out. We have a few private functions to do.

"To be honest, there has been so much interest; I haven't had time to respond to much. I'd like to thank people like (blogger) Panti, who gave us publicity but we honestly didn't know who was first to help us," she said. Crystal Swing's star looks set to rise and rise.

Panti

Influential blogger and organiser of Alternative Miss Ireland, Panti may have been crucial to the viral video success of Crystal Swing. "When I first blogged about the video for 'He Drinks Tequila', there were only 200 views of the video. Before the video was taken down a few days later there were over 6,000 views," she said.

"I do think that the gays had a big part in their recent success!" she said. "My goal at the moment is to get Crystal Swing to play at Alternative Miss Ireland on Sunday 14 March in the Olympia in Dublin." "I spoke to Mary Burke last week, but she said they couldn't do anything until after their appearance on the Late Late Show," Panti explained. "I tried to explain to her what Alternative Miss Ireland is, bit I'm not sure she got it! She was very nice though, and I haven't given up hope of getting them yet," she explained.

"Alternative Miss Ireland sells out every year and there will be 2,000 people at it. If I was their manager, I would definitely get them to play, they could get a career for life!" she said. "It's the biggest single event every year at the Olympia. Daisy Dripps, the Alternative Miss Cork will be performing so there will be will be a big home crowd from Cork coming up here as well.

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