The first, anchoring twigs in the cosy nest of traditional music and culture in Kerry this autumn have been woven into place with the announcement that Breaking Trad has signed up for inclusion in the annual Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival. This year’s festival will open on Friday evening, October 23rd and will spin away on its tuneful trail to the following Monday / Tuesday – or so.
The festival is now facing into its 23rd year of an unbroken run since it was founded in 1993 by RTÉ Radio One presenter, Peter Browne and Mary Jones.
Charlie Horan’s Bar
Mary ran the musically historic, Charlie Horan owned The Rambling House public house at that time and she rallied the local publicans
The late Mike Kenny became its first and most flamboyant chairman of the organising committee. From the outset the event enjoyed huge support from the community here and from the business people.
The publicans, in particular, quickly saw and realised the benefits of drawing the musicians and their followers on them for the duration of these long, bank holiday and often overwhelming weekends.
Individually, the members of Breaking Trad have been around the block and indeed, the world, with a variety of headlining acts deep within and on the fringes of the genre.
Fleadh by the Feale
They launched themselves and their self titled debut album at the Fleadh by The Feale Festival in Abbeyfeale in May. The CD has since been received with great critical acclaim.
The band is made up of: Dónal Murphy from Abbeyfeale on accordion; Niall Murphy, on fiddle from Camlough, South Armagh and Mike Galvin, Killarney – a multi-instrumentalist.
Dónal is a winner of numerous All-Ireland titles on both Button Accordion and Melodeon; Niall Murphy is a winner of multiple awards including: All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Competition; Fiddler of Dooney and Fiddler of Oriel titles.
Killarney native, Mike Galvin has vast experience working in a wide range of musical styles from Rock and Roll to Irish Traditional Music.
Between them, they have toured extensively around the world, performing at major festivals and music venues and touring with some of the biggest names in several different music genres including: Four Men and a Dog; Cara Dillon; De Dannan; Michael Flatley; Sliabh Notes; Bluegrass guitarist/singer Dan Tyminski – Alison Krauss and Union Station; Country legend Randy Travis and many more.
Powerhouse Trio
Their music has been described as ‘Dazzling’, ‘unorthodox and unique’, and ‘high octane.’ This powerhouse trio, Breaking Trad are reviving music with a fresh and modern twist.
The band will be joined by special guest Gino Lupari on Bodhrán and vocals. Many have called Gino King of the Bodhrán and when asked, in Rhythm Magazine, who her favourite percussionists were, Evelyn Glennie responded “Anything by Gino Lupari of Four Men and a Dog.”
Gino has recorded and performed with: Sinead Ó Connor; Shane Mc Gowan; The Popes – to name but a few.
The new Breaking Trad album is available from www.donalmurphy.net , CDbaby, iTunes and all good records stores throughout the country.
