Gráda
| Gráda | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Irish folk, Celtic |
| Instruments | Flute, whistle, fiddle, double bass, bodhrán, guitar, bouzouki |
| Years active | 2001-present |
| Labels | Compass Records |
| Website | http://gradamusic.com |
| Members | |
| Andrew Laking, Nicola Joyce, Gerry Paul, David Doocey, Stephen Doherty, Alan Doherty | |
| Past members | |
| Anne Marie O'Malley, Brendan O'Sullivan, Colin Farrell | |
Gráda is a traditional Irish music band, founded in 2001, whose members are a mix of Irish and New Zealand musicians. Gráda are based in Dublin and Galway, Ireland, but spend much of their time touring internationally. In 2006, Gráda played in 16 different countries.
The group draws from a wide range of influences, which has seen them working with Dave Hingerty (The Frames, The Swell Season); Vyviene Long (cellist with Damien Rice); and, as a producer, Trevor Hutchinson (Lúnasa, Sharon Shannon, The Waterboys). Further additions have included Dublin based trumpeter Bill Blackmore and percussionist Rasmus Skovmand.
Gráda have received critical acclaim, with their latest album Natural Angle being voted as one of the top folk albums of 2010 in the USA by NPR / Folk Alley and the IMA music awards. [1] Their previous album, Cloudy Day Navigation appeared multiple times in Irish Music's Top 10 charts. [2] Gráda have received glowing reviews from Irish Music, [3] Sing Out!, [4] The Irish Times, [5] [6] The Evening Herald [7] and The Event Guide. [8][9]
In 2008, it was announced Colin Farrell had decided to leave the band. Multi-instrumentalist David Doocey is currently touring with the band. In April 2009, Alan Doherty left the band and was replaced by Stephen Doherty (no relation). Alan returned to the group in 2011.[10]
Contents |
[edit] Band members
- Andrew Laking (double bass, vocals)
- Nicola Joyce (vocals, bodhrán)
- Gerry Paul (acoustic and electric guitars, bouzouki, vocals)
- David Doocey (Fiddle, Concertina, and Whistles)
- Stephen Doherty (Flute)
- Alan Doherty (flutes, whistle, vocals)
[edit] Former members
- Anne Marie O'Malley - vocals and bodhrán
- Brendan O'Sullivan - fiddle, viola, and vocals
- Colin Farrell (fiddle, vocals) (2006–2008)
[edit] Discography
- Off to Sardinia - 2001 (out of production)
- Endeavour - 2002
- The Landing Step - 2004
- Cloudy Day Navigation - 2007
- Natural Angle - 2010 (Compass)
[edit] External links
- gradamusic.com - the official website
- Gráda discography at MusicBrainz
- Gráda's MySpace - the official MySpace page
[edit] References
- Irish Music Magazine. "Charts", Irish Music. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- Margeson, B. "Trading Up with Grada", Irish Music, 2006. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- Weir, R. "Gráda Endeavour", Sing Out!, 2005. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- Long, S. "Gráda The Landing Step", Irish Times, 2004. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- Long, S. "Grada Endeavour", Irish Times, 2002. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- McQuaid, S. "Trad's Ring-o stars", The Evening Herald, 2004. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- Mahoney, P. "Gráda Endeavour", The Event Guide, 2004. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- "Past, Present and Future", The Event Guide, 2002. Accessed November 4, 2007.
- http://www.gradamusic.com/
- http://compassrecords.com/news.php?story=735
