Media Release 14 July 2011

A new 5-man Trad band, ‘The Gloaming’ to perform at the National Concert Hall as part of ESB LIVE 2011

What do a New York pianist, a Sean-nós singer, a guitarist and two Irish and hardanger fiddlers have in common? A raw musical talent with a shared quest to push the boundaries of traditional and contemporary musical moulds. The result is ‘The Gloaming’; a new musical collective of five renowned and masterly musicians who will perform on Saturday 20 August 8pm in the third of four ESB LIVE 2011 concerts at The National Concert Hall.

Described by The Irish Times as ‘The traddest band in the whole damn town’ The Gloaming features sean-nós singer Iarla O’Lionaird, master of the fiddle, Martin Hayes, Chicago born guitarist Dennis Cahill, Dublin-born Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh on fiddle, 5-string viola and hardanger fiddle and New York born Thomas Bartlett, aka Doveman on piano.

The five came together to explore new music at Grouse Lodge Studios is West Meath in early 2011 the result being their formation to produce music that’s described as ‘both ancient and utterly new’ as well as ‘authentic and tune-filled’.

Iarla Ó Lionáird grew up and learned his craft in the musical heartland of Cúil Aodha in the West Cork Gaeltacht. Ó Lionaird established himself both as a masterful exponent of Sean Nós Song and as a pioneer in its renewal and development. He went on to sign to the Realworld label in the mid-1990s and succeeded in making ground breaking records including the multi-million selling Afro Celt Sound System. He then went on to develop a solo career which saw the release of "Seven Steps To Mercy", the soundtrack for "I Could Read The Sky" and the "Invisible Fields" mixing electronic soundscapes with seans-nos with his latest solo album Foxlight on Realworld in September

Master fiddler, Martin Hayes is no stranger to the Irish music scene having garnered a hugely successful career over the last 30 years. He has drawn inspiration from many musical genres, but remains grounded in the music he grew up with in East County Clare where the tradition he inherited from his late father, P. Joe Hayes, was the formative influence on his musical accent and ideas. He has recorded two acclaimed solo albums, "Martin Hayes" and "Under the Moon" on the Green Linnet label and three duet albums with Dennis Cahill: "The Lonesome Touch", "Live in Seattle", and "Welcome Here Again". His latest release is Triúr sa Draighean with Peadar Ó Riada and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh.

Dennis Cahill is a master guitarist, a native of Chicago born to parents from the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. He studied at the city's prestigious Music College before becoming an active member of the local music scene. Cahill's spare, essential accompaniment to Martin Hayes' fiddle is acknowledged as a major breakthrough for guitar in the Irish tradition. In addition to his work with Martin Hayes, Dennis has performed with such renowned fiddlers as Liz Carroll, Eileen Ivers and Kevin Burke, as well as many Irish musicians on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dublin-born Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh plays traditional and contemporary folk music on fiddle, 5-string viola and hardanger fiddle. In 2007, he released “Where the One-Eyed Man is King”, an adventurous, self- produced EP. Caoimhín has recently been involved in two acclaimed recordings, “Le Gealaigh/A Moment of Madness” with Brendan Begley and “Triúr sa Draighean” with Peadar Ó Riada and Martin Hayes.

Thomas Bartlett, aka Doveman began playing piano at age five, and never stopped. He studied classical music in London with Maria Curcio, one of the 20th century's greatest classical music teachers and Columbia University for a short time before deciding instead to play with bands. He quickly became one of the most in-demand sidemen in New York City. Thomas has played or recorded with Antony & the Johnsons, Nico Muhly, Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, The Frames, Bebel Gilberto, Arto Lindsay, The National, and Yoko Ono. He makes music as Doveman. His latest release is the eponymous ‘Doveman on Brassland’.

This concert is the first concert which opens a major national tour by the band and takes place as part of ESB LIVE 2011, supported by the Arts Council and the Irish Independent Newspapers.

Tickets: €30, €35 (Choir Balcony €20) 10% group discount available. 20% discount for Friends of the National Concert Hall.

ENDS For further information please contact: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager tel: 01 417 00 57 / 087 1775334