Music Network presents acclaimed traditional musicians Niamh Dunne, Bróna McVittie, Cormac Breatnach and Seán Óg Graham on their Irish tour from 6 to 17 February. We asked Bróna the BIG questions . . .
The band are Niamh on vocals and fiddle, Bróna on vocals and harp, Cormac on whistle and Seán on guitar and button accordion.
Details of tickets and venues here.
Bróna released her debut solo album We Are the Wildlife in 2018 and it earned her a string of four-star reviews from MOJO, Uncut, The Guardian and The Independent. Her second album The Man in the Mountain followed in 2020 and immediately scored the much-coveted Folk Album of the Month spot in The Guardian.
A sneak preview of what's to come from the brilliantly talented @niamhdunnemusic @bronamcvittie @seanoggraham & Cormac Breatnach on our February tour💫✨
— Music Network (@MusNetIrl) January 15, 2024
Head to the link below to see where you can catch them 🎻🎼https://t.co/QQKU2hpZhM pic.twitter.com/VC1QrJZJcP
The tour will also feature a new composition by Bróna commissioned by Music Network, which she is currently working on.
"I'm toying with a couple of different approaches, both are responses to the unfolding horror in Gaza," she says.
"I want to create something that will be a tribute in particular to all the young lives lost, lives never to be lived. I'm referencing my own experience of growing up in a segregated society during the troubles in Northern Ireland. It's probably the hardest thing I've ever tried to compose, but I'm determined to create something uplifting."
Niamh Dunne released her first album of self-penned songs, Tides, in 2022 to critical acclaim. Dunne has performed with the well-known Dunne family for many years and with the renowned Grammy-nominated Beoga, best known for their Irish fusion music and their work with Ed Sheeran.
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Widely regarded as one of Ireland's top button accordion players, Seán Óg Graham has recorded seven albums as a key member of Beoga.
Acclaimed whistle player Cormac Breatnach is a founding member of Deiseal, founded in 1993. He has also recorded on film soundtracks as well as on award-winning TV programmes.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I make Corkbots (wee characters fashioned from discarded champagne corks), I love speaking Spanish, in my spare time I buy and sell antiques.
How would you describe your music?
Conor O Toole, DJ at UCC (Underground of Happiness) first described my music as "pastoral folk through a kosmische filter". Later, Cerys Matthews interviewed me on her BBC 6 Music show describing my sound as 'cosmic folk'. I guess I'm a bit 'out there'.
Who are your musical inspirations?
My principal musical inspiration is the natural world, although I grew up on a diet of Dolly Parton, followed by Prince and Kate Bush. Then Thelonious Monk. After that I became a massive fan of Joe Heaney but at the same time, Plaid.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My parents took me to see The Marriage of Figaro at the Belfast Opera House as a child. I was utterly bewildered and enthralled. The first gig I went to independently was a local band called Captain Swing who did jazz funk music. They blew me away.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I used to record a lot of music from the radio and friends’ collections, but the first LP I ever bought was Controversy by Prince on cassette tape.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My favourite song of the moment is an unreleased track by The Breath entitled Too Many Have Gone, which they performed at their Womex 23 showcase.
Favourite lyric of all time?
My favourite lyric of all time is probably: "Starfish and coffee, maple syrup and jam" from by Prince.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, it would have to be a cover of Use Me (Bill Withers) by Rioghnach Connolly (I’m not sure she has recorded it yet!).
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website. Tour info and tickets here.
Alan Corr
