We think of festive and loud sounds when we talk about the music of Brittany. This association is brought about by the popularity of the bombarde and the biniou. After looking further, I found this unique artist by the name of Alicia Ducout. She goes by the moniker Luascadh. Originally from Rennes, Bretagne, she tours around France with the medieval Celtic ensemble Gaimalis.
She mostly makes music using the harp. The vocals will delight you. It feels like the forest of the elves has suddenly opened up to draw one in. The music of Luascadh can be described as medieval Celtic. There is something hypnotic about the harp being played in such fashion. The sound it makes reminds me of the branches of trees that grow and surround you. She conjures images of fireflies dancing upon the leaves. When the sun sets and crickets start chirping their evening tune, it is time to play Luascadh.
After studying drama at Lyon, and after 10 years of piano practice, I have evolved in several medieval ensembles, the journey opened the doors of Celtic civilization and ancient traditional music . .. These doors are engulfed with wind and the breeze and of the tale of the Celtic harp!-Luascadh
Clanú is a four piece band that needs your best audio speakers. They play slow and fast tunes. These musicians also add atmosphere to every track. Clanú combines Irish trad music and Bluegrass. You will love the vocals too. Songs like the moving Bruach na carriage baine has cinematic appeal. The Outlaw Joseph Emmet sounds like something out of a Western movie. Into the Sun glides playfully into your mood. She Came To Me Softly is a ballad laden with beautiful vocals and excellent instrumental arrangement. The House Set is a jig rooted to the band’s love for traditional music.Slow Whiskey is a slow remake of Whiskey in the Jar which is refreshing to listen to.
They are based in Belfast. I attached links below where you can get resources about these guys. You can contact the band through
Clanú are a four piece band spanning two generations and the influences of each generation comes through in their music. From the fast paced modern Trad of Damian and Niall to the even faster contemporary folk and bluegrass sound (or greengrass as we call it) of Dee and Barry. With the wide range of instruments they play, they manage to produce a sound which enthralls crowds around the country and beyond. Add to this the song-writing and tune-writing capabilities that all the members possess and you have a unique yet familiar trad / folk sound that will have you dancing, singing or crying and sometimes all at the same time.
New album is coming along nicely. Off to studio today to record-Fiach
This video you see is just the beginning of what’s to come. This song is from his debut album “So I”. Fiach Moriarty is busy with the new studio album-no title available yet but I will keep you updated.
A one take/no edit video.
Just to explain this video a bit; myself and Bob Kelly came up with this concept about a year ago in Hourican’s bar on Leeson St after a conversation about Samuel Beckett. We wanted to do something a bit different and challenging that would not be easily done. So we hatched a plan to learn a song backwards and from there it grew and developed. We then decided to make it a walking video and mapped out a route. The route involved getting lucky with traffic lights, cars and indeed human traffic and all in one take as well. It also involved me walking backwards throughout. So what you see is the reverse of me walking and singing backwards, which makes me look (slightly) normal and everybody else in backwards mode? Lost? Thought so, watch the video and it will become clearer.
We enlisted the help of Aoife Scott, Philip Graham, Trish Fitzpatrick, Marcus Lamb, Déaglán Mac Samhráin, Rebecca Flynn and Enda Reilly to help us achieve what you see here.
So here ya go folks, ‘Lullabye’
Cast in order of appearance:-
Fiach Moriarty – Himself
Busker – Enda Reilly
Photographing fan – Trish Fitzpatrick
Ferryman – Deaglán Mac Samhráin
Dancer – Rebecca Flynn
Businessman – Marcus Lamb
Crew:-
Steadycam Operator – Philip Graham
Best Boy Grip – Aoife Scott
Producer/Director – Bob Kelly
Song appears on debut album ‘So i’ recorded and produced by Keith Lawless in Studio 2 Kinsealy.
Vocals, Guitar & Piano: Fiach Moriarty
Keys: Keith Lawless
Upright Bass: Steve Mogerley
The awful weather makes people sick these days. The time to celebrate comes after the brooding period.You agree with me don’t you? To everyone out there who had gone through the rough times, I am sure you all come to a point when you just want to get up and dance. Ok I am closing my eyes and telepathically calling for more sweetness my way. Oooommmm! Oooom! Meditate, concentrate, let the mind become a magnet for positivism.Yes folks more sweetness please and you shall get sweetness in return. I just hope my karma counter is doing good for running this site 🙂
I found this bluegrass band after searching for something uplifting. If you are depressed or sick, I recommend you listen to this style of music and your blues will go away. Well, I can’t say that it is the answer to end all wars in the world but it is a good pill. Even the name feels good ” Greensky Bluegrass“. They even have vinyl pressings for their new album! They are part puritans and part innovators. They love the tried and tested highway of American music but they veer off once in a while to add freshness to their repertoire.
My fingers move through the keys emulating the banjo while typing this article. My neck moves to the rhythm. The sound just catches you with a smile. Yes it is all gin, honey and the green grass of home. This quintet is from Michigan, the home of my dear friend Christi.
If you’re familiar with bluegrass music, then you’re tuned in to some of what Greensky Bluegrass does. They’re also known to throw a great party, rock n roll, and (if the critics are to be believed) they have great songs. They are unquestionably a team of friends that traverse the country making music they enjoy. What makes Greensky different than Bluegrass? Poignant rural ballads about real people? Dobro tone that Jerry (Douglas or Garcia) would love? Distortion Pedals? Grit and attitude from a whiskey soaked card game? Indeed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
This quintet from Michigan has been staying up late at all the coolest festivals and stopping to play your favorite clubs and theaters across America for 11 years now. Nearly 175 shows per year has prepared them for the rigorous task of continuity. Greensky Bluegrass isn’t slowing down. “They’re coming to your town to help you party down.” Yeah. Really. Like you never thought possible.
At the start of the millenium,some of these guys met, then they met more guys. They thought Greensky was a clever name for a bluegrass band. Fast forward to 2011 when they recorded their fourth studio record, called Handguns. Among them, words like, “proud,” “killer,” and “damn right!” have been spoken in regards to the music of Handguns.
While they all may be accurate, we hope you’ll find far more than you expected, hell – even more than we expected contained in this piece work that may well come to define one of 21st Century America’s hardest working musical ensembles.
Greensky Bluegrass is Anders Beck (dobro), Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Dave Bruzza (guitar), Mike Devol (upright bass) and Paul Hoffman (mandolin).
Patrick Ball continues to bring the lyrical gift of Ireland to the world through harp music and spoken word.
Anyone who is interested in the sound of the wire-strung harp knows Patrick Ball. A fan of traditional Irish music isn’t a stranger to his name or music. If you are an insider, I am sure you have heard of O’Carolan’s Farewell to Music. This man knows intensity. He knows how to use it to put the audience under his spell.
Listening to his music is a wonderful excursion into the world of imagination. That unique bell-like purity of the wire strung harp or Clarsach has gained worldwide prominence lately and Patrick Ball is among those spearheading its renaissance. I read his biography and that years ago, this artist was studying to become a lawyer. I guess music finds us even in the most unexpected places and situations.
His music can move you to dance or to weep with its sublime beauty. Such magic contained in this instrument. And such power to move the emotions. Close your eyes and turn off the lights. Let the golden stars sparkle in every note. The album Wood of Morois is out in 2010. You can learn more about him through the links I attached here.
Celtic Music Fan 