Page 42 - Digital Version - OCT - DEC 2022 4th Issue

DECEMBER 2022

What are your thoughts on the state of What is the allure of Celtic music in your
Celtic music in the USA vs worldwide. Is it own words?
growing, changing? The dance music is a very rhythmic and
It’s always growing in terms of people playing upbeat music, and not overly complex on the
the music, singing and dancing. In terms of surface so easy to follow. It also has a
“It would be mainstream audience, it’s still popular but mournful side to it with the slower melodies
that is usually dictated somewhat by media and sean nos or old style songs, which can be
nice to be trends, movies, pop culture. The most quite magical in the right hands.
important thing is that the tradition is being
remembered kept alive both here and in Ireland which will Who’s the comedian? The troublemaker?
ensure a healthy future for the music. The And the one that keeps everyone in line?
as doing standard of young people playing the music Kevin is definitely the comedian, but no
both in Ireland and abroad is pretty troublemakers or bossy people!
something incredible these days.

original and What is everyone’s favorite LUNASA song? What is something you all turn to when you
hit a creative wall?
interesting” For the audience it’s definitely “The Morning Probably to go somewhere isolated, just play
Nightcap”, For the band we usually enjoy the
newer tunes. together and shut out all the distractions.
Being an international touring group, what
has been some of the craziest things you’ve
seen on the road?
I’m not sure about crazy but we’ve certainly
been lucky enough to see and visit many
amazing places like the Grand Canyon, Great
Barrier Reef, Niagara Falls, we’ve been on
Caribbean cruises, travelled through Hawaii
and Alaska, played many times in Japan and
China. The other thing that springs
Photo credit: Eric Politzer to mind often is the wildlife you can run into
while in these new places. For people
LÚNASA “Lúnasa have catapulted whales, bears, kangaroos, especially when
growing up in Ireland, it’s pretty crazy to see
they run out on the road in front of you!

When you are not on tour, what other
both themselves and the
music onto another plane
Many of us are – surprisingly – into
where creative juices reign passions do you pursue?
supreme.” running and keeping fit. It helps keep a
– THE IRISH TIMES balance with the late nights and helps us
Formed in 1997 and celebrating its 20th Hollywood Bowl, National Concert Hall keep sane in a difficult environment of travel.
anniversary, Lúnasa has long been one of (Dublin), and Paris Bercy, and many of the (IRELAND) We all love our food too and it’s a big perk of
contemporary Irish music’s leading voices. leading festivals such as Glastonbury, international travel having your eyes opened
Named after an ancient Celtic harvest Womadelaide & Edmonton. to the cuisines of the world in their native
festival in honour of the Irish god Lugh, the From the start, the band’s complex places.
group that Folk Roots magazine once called arrangements and unique sound reshaped “…state-of-the-art Irish music as aggressively
an “Irish music dream team” was formed the boundaries of traditional music and Are there any surprises in store for your
from members of some of Ireland’s greatest energized audiences the world over. infectious as you’ll ever hear.” – Dirty Linen upcoming holiday show with Dave Curly?
bands and over the years has proven its Critical acclaim followed, The Irish Echo
mettle time and again, having sold over a describing the band as “the LUNASA: CHRISTMAS FRO There’s always a few surprises. You’ll have to
LUNASA: CHRISTMAS FROM M
quarter of a million records, and hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet”; come to the Spire Center to find out.
collaborated with notable artists outside MOJO magazine named the band IRELAND WITH DAVE CURLE What do you hope your legacy is?
IRELAND WITH DAVE CURLEY Y
the tradition such as Natalie Merchant and "the new gods of Irish music,” adding that It would be nice to be remembered as doing
Mary-Chapin Carpenter. They have “nobody since the Bothies has wielded such FRI, DEC 09, 2022 | 8PM something original and interesting with a
performed more than 2,000 shows across a thrilling rhythmic underlay.” Billboard very old music.
36 countries including high-profile concert raved that “anybody who listens can’t help
venues such as Carnegie Hall, The but find them contagious.” T H E S P I R E C E N T E R M A G A Z I N E | 4 3