Traditional Irish music group Altan who have been playing together now for over 25 years have launched a PledgeMusic campaign to help fund the release of a new album. The album will be recorded in Nashville and that’s about as much as they’re giving away at present although pledgers will gain access to demos, live tracks and rough mixes ahead of release.
As is normal with such campaigns there’s plenty of goodies to encourage your support including signed copies of the album, lyric sheets, signed posters, a chance for you to get your name in the album credits, signed Donegal jerseys, VIP passes to gigs, and even the opportunity to have them play in your own living room!
Altan roots are heavily influenced by Donegal music and throughout their career they’ve kept a strong link to their roots avoiding, over the course of 13 albums, synthesised sound and other influences that have become a popular means of raising profile. Like The Chieftains they have a scholarly feel to their approach, something which has worked in their favour, especially in the USA. Their most recent album was Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen released via Compass Records in 2012 was well received and was described by The Irish Times as “richly layered musicianship shot through with a verve.”
In 2009 they celebrated their 25th anniversary with a special performance at the National Concert Hall, Dublin with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. They return to this prestigious venue again on 19th July with UK dates to follow in August and September including Wickham Festival and Cecil Sharp House in London.
Dúlamán (at Cambridge folk festival 2003)
The current line-up consists of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Fiddle &Vocals), Mark Kelly (Guitar), Dermot Byrne (Accordion), Dáithí Sproule(Guitar), Ciaran Tourish (Fiddle), and Ciarán Curran (Bouzouki)
Upcoming Dates
19 Jul – Dublin, National Concert Hall, Ireland
26 Jul – Sellersville, PA, PA Sellersville Theater, US
07 Aug – Brooklyn, NY, Celebrate Brooklyn! US
09/10 Aug – St. Paul, MN, Irish Fair of Minnesota, US
12 Aug – Milwaukee, WI Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, US
UK Dates
17 Aug – Wickham, Hampshire, Wickham Festival
07 Sep – Bishop’s Cleeve, Gloucestershire, Tithe Barn
11 Sep – London, Cecil Sharpe House
14 Sep – Budleigh Salterton, Devon, Budleigh Salterton Public Hall
