CD Launches
Tradify - Pre-launch Performance
Temple Gate Hotel - Sat 3rd June @ 5pm
Tradify is a high-energy, passionate, world-class Irish traditional and contemporary band from Dublin, and surrounding areas in Ireland. Tradify’s members are Darragh Ó Héiligh of Drogheda, (Uilleann Pipes, Whistles, Bodhran), Albert Pamies of Barcelona (Bouzouki), and Cedar Dobson of California (Whistles and Flutes). Internationally recognised multi-instrumentalist Darragh Ó Héiligh is particularly renowned as an Uilleann Piper. He is a sought after and welcome presence at sessions and formal performances all over Ireland. Darragh has appeared on dozens of albums over his award winning career and has performed around the globe in countries such as England, Spain, Italy, Germany, America, Canada and Africa. Albert Pamies is a talented bouzouki player from Barcelona who discovered his love for Irish music during a trip to Ireland in 2011. He started attending sessions in Barcelona, experimenting with various instruments before finding his passion in the bouzouki. Cedar Dobson is a versatile musician hailing from California, USA, with a deep passion for traditional Irish music. Currently based in Dublin, Cedar is pursuing a Music Production degree at Pulse College at Windmill Lane Recording Studios. She has performed music in the United States, Ireland, Scotland, and Brazil. Tradify look forward to performing tracks at Fleadh Nua 2023 from their first album, ‘Tradify’, which will be available in the early summer.
Seán Lyons - Juliana EP
Temple Gate Hotel - Sat 3rd June @ 6pm
Seán Lyons, from Co. Clare, grew up in a family steeped in traditional music and singing and he is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer. As a teenager, Seán developed an interest in folk music and is a passionate interpreter of folk songs. It was during this period that he also began writing songs. In 2020, Seán released his debut single Lady Winter and in 2021, he followed this with Finavarra Reverie. His most recent single ‘One Day at a Time’ muses on the average person’s frequent encounters with self-criticism, anxiety and a sense of hopelessness. Seán’s debut EP of original songs Juliana EP was released on February 3rd 2023. It is a collection of five songs written in the folk idiom. The title track, Juliana, is a poignant lament for La Juliana, a Spanish ship that was wrecked off the coast of Sligo in 1588.
New Leaf - Coming of Spring
Temple Gate Hotel - Sat 3rd June @ 7pm
New Leaf is John Tabb on button accordion, Kira Jewett on fiddle and Jim Bunting on guitar, vocals and bouzouki. Together they play traditional tunes with tight, driving rhythm, interspersed with Jim's unique take on Ireland's song repertoire.
John Tabb is well known throughout southern New England for his box playing and leads weekly sessions at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England. He has performed with The Healys, The Dustmen and his dad Chris Tabb, and appears on the recording Apples in Winter. Kira Jewett started playing classically when she was just three years old, but fell in love with the music of Ireland in her 20s and studied extensively with the virtuoso fiddler Brian Conway. She is the 2003 All-Ireland fiddle Slow Airs Champion. Singer and rhythm player Jim Bunting is an avid local session player who brings a sensitive touch and driving rhythm to the band. *Early launch also at Cois na hAbhna on Mon 29th May - 7pm.
Edel Vaughan - Chapter 22
Temple Gate Hotel - Sat 3rd June @ 8pm
It is seven years since Edel Vaughan launched her first solo album, Spreagtha. Matching the quality and breadth of that wonderful recording was always going to be a challenge. Her second album, Chapter 22, is definitely as worthy as it is stunning, with songs, old and contemporary, dating from the late eighteenth century to a few short years ago with the songs, in Irish and English, all delivered beautifully by her distinctive, strong voice. It is wonderful that the album features a number of songs, written by her fellow Kilfenora Céilí Band member, Tim Collins. Her rendition of Tim’s song Clare My Heart, My Home is inspirational and has ensured that this song is now sung with pride by Clare people, far and wide. There are eleven tracks on this album, each one to be savoured for its lyrics and music. The more you listen to it, the better you will enjoy it.
