For those who aren’t part of The Celtic Music Fan via facebook, this is a good link. If you think you know all there is to know about Welsh music, wait until you listen to this radio show. The hosts gave informative materials and also played samples of the music throughout the show. Composer Robert ap Huw chronicled the music of his time and made his own odd tablature which became a source of debate and amazement among musicologists. I am attaching the link here. Facebook makes music blogging so easy..and yeah this neat screenshot app helps a lot.
Bout this pic: Adam and Matt modelling the new tour bus. A slight upgrade from the last one! — with Matthew Emyr Downer, Jamie Smith, Adam Rhodes, Oliver Wilson-Dickson and Iolo Whelan.
Welsh readers, get ready for J S Mabon @ The Muni!Thursday, 19 July 2012.
Apart from the much anticipated new album from this amazing Welsh band, fans in their homeland will be thrilled to see them perform live. Here is the news event posted by Iolo Whelan, the band’s drummer:
Our only ‘home turf’ gig this summer – come out, South Walians!
Ein unig gig lleol haf yma – dewch yn llu!
Jamie Smith’s MABON emerge from the recording studio, blinking in the daylight, and champing at the bit to play for real live people again! Tucked in amongst a list of UK and European festivals, our only local gig this summer will be at THE MUNI CENTRE, PONTYPRIDD on Thursday 19th July.
We’d be delighted if you could spread the word, and join us at this great venue for a intimate evening of music. (:
Wele Mabon yn ymddangos o’r stiwdio recordio i chwarae ein unig gig lleol yr haf yma, yng NGHANOLFAN Y MUNI, PONTYPRIDD, nos Iau 19eg o Fehefin.
Fasech chi gystal a lledaenu’r gair? Basai’n hyfryd eich gweld chi yno! (:
Hello American readers in the Midwest. The band Athas is making rounds around Milwaukee this month. You should not miss the amazing talents of each member. I stumbled upon them last March 2010. I am excited to hear that they are spreading the joy of Celtic music around the United States and the world. Thanks to harpist Scott Hoye for posting the updates of the band.
This is an aside but I am amazed to learn that guitarist Jeff Ksiazek played jazz on saxophone for two decades before switching to guitar! Amazing.
áthas lights the dance floor on fire with a combination of traditional and newly composed Irish dance tunes. Fierce fiddle, driving bodhrán, and funky guitar riffs come together to lift listeners’ feet, drinks, and spirits.
Although approaching the tradition from various musical backgrounds, the band found each other and their voice as an ensemble while playing in Irish sessions around Milwaukee throughout 2005. Spending their time between tunes laughing and joking inspired them to make music together and their name, which is the Irish word for joy and happiness.
The band’s blend of exciting music and fun-loving attitudes quickly earned the admiration of Milwaukee’s Irish set and ceili dance communities, as well as audiences throughout their hometown stomping grounds. áthas has become a favorite act at Irish music’s premier event, Milwaukee Irish Fest, gathering praise for the excitement of their stage shows and the energy they display playing in the dance tent.
áthas is a band firmly rooted in the traditions of Irish music, constantly seeking inspiration from the past masters and passing on their knowledge by teaching throughout Milwaukee. The band remains receptive to new influences, and continues to impress audiences with their new compositions as well as their
passion, energy, and love for making music.
Influences:
Comas, David Munnelly Band, Teada, Different Drums of Ireland, Dervish, Planxty, John Whelan, Leo McCann, Seamus Begley
Cornish artist Dick Twinney is giving love back to nature with his wonderful wildlife artworks. You see his works in this video, featuring ‘The Home Coming’ by Cornish violinist Sue Aston. Enjoy the healing qualities of the music and enrich your soul with the colors of nature through the eyes and hand of Dick Twinney.
Damasqhs –
Vocals, Djembe, Djuns, Bongos, Guitar, etc.
Rebecca Holman –
Vocals, Bougaraboo etc.
Tesea Dawson –
Vocals, Flute, bass, keyboard Djembe, etc.
Brandon Mullikin –
Bass, Guitar, Djembe
Tyler Neitz –
Gutair, bass, keyboard, various percussion, etc.
Chris Bush –
Native American flute, penny whistle, bass, djembe, djuns, et
Stirring both the heart and soul: Tuatha Dea satisfies one’s musical cravings.
Bagabi inspires what is beautiful and primal. It is like being transported into a world during the time of dinosaurs. The use of didgeridoo further enhances this experience and I feel my imagination open up. It gives you that weird sensation especially when you listen to this track with the lights out. I like it when a song gives me goose bumps. It means it has achieved something greater. Music is supposed to be like this-something that touches the soul. The African inspired chanting and the eerie deep male vocals (think Brendan Perry) further enhances the effect.
This kind of style is also dominant in other tracks like the poly-rhythmic induced The Hunt(corners). The track starts with percussion then escalates into a melodic devotional chant piece. There is also the traditional inspired Mulligan Stew that should have been used in TV series like Merlin. The remaining tracks bend on the folk/rock side. The female vocals are strong reminiscent of Stevie Nicks and Annie Lennox. I think this is great because I really like singers who sound like women and not like little girls. Songs like Falling Down, Celtic Woman (Mavis McGee), Tonight and the heart hurting Skye Boat Blues will leave you contemplating lost loves and missed soul mates in fishnet stockings and thick black mascara.
Call this an aside but I really love everyone’s fashion style here. Tuatha Dea is a band that is both beautiful to the eyes and ears. A perfect companion for a long rainy night with a single candle.
Formed in 2009 by Lead Vocalist Damasqhs, Tuatha Dea has an eclectic sound incorporating tribal drumming into the Celtic music genre.
Biography
Tuatha Dea first began with a group of close friends gathering together once a week to drum for kicks in 2009. Soon after the band began to write original music and playing at local social gatherings. As they began to build a small local fan base it was decided to try their hands at taking the show out into the public eye. They eclectically mix Scotts Irish, new age, traditional and modern day music to produce a unique variety and blend of rhythm and melody. As the fan base grows, the group continues it’s evolution and is constantly re-defining it’s perimeters. More info on Tuatha Dea will be coming soon and keep your eye on our website www.tuathadea.com!
