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Kíla

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Kíla
OriginDublin, Ireland
GenresIrish folk music
Years active1987–present
LabelsKíla Records
MembersRossa Ó Snodaigh
Rónán Ó Snodaigh
Colm Ó Snodaigh
Dee Armstrong
Brian Hogan
Seanán Brennan
Dave Hingerty
James Mahon
Websitewww.kila.ie

Kíla is an Irish folk music group formed in 1987 in Irish language secondary school Coláiste Eoin in County Dublin.

History

The original lineup of the band was Rossa Ó Snodaigh (whistle, bones); Rónán Ó Snodaigh (bodhrán); Eoin Dillon (uilleann pipes); Colm Mac Con Iomaire (fiddle); Karl Odlum (bass); and David Odlum (guitar). In 1988 one of Rossa and Rónán's older brothers, flute player Colm Ó Snodaigh, joined the band. Rónán, Rossa, and Colm are brothers of TD, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, and sons of writer, publisher and historian Pádraig Ó Snodaigh and writer, artist and sculptor Clíodna Cussen.

In their first year, they busked on Grafton Street nearly every week and played 44 concerts, most of them at their father's publishing company's book launches, their mother's art exhibition openings or their brother's political campaign launches. Their first paying concert was upstairs in the Baggot Inn and was attended by only three people, one of whom was the broadcaster Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh.

In 1988 they went abroad to play at their first festival, in Germany, and made their first recording. Since then, Kíla have played in 35 countries on five continents and at some of the world's biggest festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Vorneo's Rainforest World Music Festival, Electric Picnic, Womadelaide, Glastonbury Festival, Hungary's Sziget festival, Stockholm Water Festival, Scotland's Hogmany Festival, and Irish and Celtic music festivals in the US, Canada and Spain. They performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics in Ireland in 2003. They have composed music for film and TV, have been nominated for Oscars, and have won awards for their music.

In 2003, in a BBC review of their album Luna Park, Kíla's blend of Irish traditional music and world music with a modern rock sensibility, was credited by Malachy O'Neill with breathing new life into contemporary Irish folk music.[1]

In 2008 Kíla, along with U2, Shane MacGowan, Sinéad O'Connor, Glen Hansard, Damien Dempsey, The Dubliners and other artists recorded "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" as a tribute to the Dubliners singer.

In 2010, the band collaborated with French composer Bruno Coulais on the soundtrack of Cartoon Saloon's Oscar nominated movie The Secret of Kells. In the same year, their music was featured in three other feature films: Maeve Murphy's Beyond the Fire, Ciarán O'Connor's Trafficked, and the award-winning Peter J. McCarthy documentary Fight or Flight.

In late 2011, Kíla published Book of Tunes, containing over 100 of their compositions, photos, poems and prose. The book was described as "a masterpiece" by Seán Laffey in Irish Music Magazine.

In 2015 the band collaborated again with Bruno Coulais on the music for the Oscar-nominated animated feature, Song of the Sea, and they received an Annie Award nomination for 'Outstanding Achievement in Music in an Animated Feature Production'. They also received an Emmy nomination for their work on the 'Crossing The Line' production called 'The Secret Life of the Shannon'.

In 2020, Kíla recorded music for two more films: Cartoon Saloon's Oscar-nominated, award-winning Wolfwalkers; and Tomás Ó Súilleabháin's debut film Arracht, which was IFTAs entry for the Oscars. Arracht was nominated for 11 IFTA awards and won two, with Kila awarded 'Best Original Score'.

During the two Covid lockdowns, the band performed six online lockdown concerts, culminating in a Wolfwalker's-themed St Patrick's Day broadcast, live to all the Irish consulates across the world. After lockdown they went on tour and produced three larger shows: Kíla & Tumble Circus (Sept 2021); Kíla le Prás - (New Year's Eve 2021); and Kíla & Cairde for Tradfest in the National Stadium (Jan -2022).

Members

Kíla's line-up saw many changes between 1987 and 2024. In 1988, flute player and singer Colm Ó Snodaigh joined; in 1991 fiddler Colm Mac Con Iomaire and guitarist Dave Odlum left Kíla to join Glen Hansard's band The Frames; Dee Armstrong replaced Colm on fiddle and guitarist Eoin O'Brien and lead guitarist Dave Reidy joined; (Reid emigrated to San Francisco a year later). In 1994; Karl Odlum left and joined Mick Christopher's band The Mary Janes: he was replaced by jazz bassist Ed Kelly, who left in 1995 along with Eoin O'Brien after the release of Mind The Gap. Drummer and rhythm guitarist Lance Hogan took Eoin's place and Laurence O Keefe filled in on bass until Brian Hogan became bass player prior to recording Tóg É Go Bog É (1996). In 2009, Donegal guitarist Seanán Brennan joined the band to replace Hogan, who was on a sabbatical. In 2010 drummer Dave Hingerty was invited to join the band. In 2015, piper Eoin Dillon left and James Mahon replaced him. Dee ArmstrongDee Armstrong is from a musical family. She is a self taught musician and began playing with Kila in 1991. She plays fiddle, banjo, hammered dulcimer, bodhran and tuned percussion. Dee studied film and wrote and directed “Changelings” short film in 1993. She has been working on film soundtracks ever since. Notably writing with Kila the score for three animated feature films with Cartoon Saloon. Dee has a first-class honours degree in Performing Arts and a Masters in Set Design. She also plays with Free Speaking Monkey and The Armagh Rhymers.Dee designed and directed many of Kíla's visual shows in Vicar St, Olympia and other theatres. She has four children and a grandson.

Current members

  • Rossa Ó Snodaigh: Mandolin, Whistles and percussion (1987 - to date)
  • Rónán Ó Snodaigh: Bodhrán and Singer (1987 - to date)
  • Colm Ó Snodaigh: Flute, Singer (1988 - to date)
  • Brian Hogan: Bass (1996 - to date)
  • Seanán Brennan: Acoustic and electric guitar, bass and mandola (2009 - to date)
  • Dave Hingerty: Drums (2010- to date)
  • James Mahon: Flute, Uilleann Pipes, Whistles(2015 - to date)
  • Dee Armstrong: Fiddle Percussion, Hammered Dulcimer (1991 - to date)

Former members

  • Eoin Dillon: Uileann Pipes (1987 - 2015)
  • Lance Hogan: Guitar, Djembe and Drum kit (1995 - 2009)
  • Laurence O'Keefe: Bass (1995 - 96)
  • Eoin O'Brien: Acoustic and Electric guitar (1991 - 1995)
  • Ed Kelly: Bass (1994 - 1995)
  • Karl Odlum: Bass (1987 - 1994)
  • David Reidy: Electric guitar (1991 - 1992)
  • Dave Odlum: Acoustic Guitar (1987 - 1991)
  • Colm Mac Con Iomaire: Fiddle (1987 - 1991)
  • Dee Amstro
    Dee Amstro
  • Colm Ó Snodaigh
    Colm Ó Snodaigh
  • Rossa Ó Snodaigh
    Rossa Ó Snodaigh
  • Dee Amstrong
    Dee Amstrong

Discography

Studio albums

  • Suas Síos (2014)
  • Soisín (2010) Handel's Fantasy (1993)
  • Gamblers' Ballet (2007) Mind the Gap (1995)
  • Kíla & Oki - with Oki (2006)
  • Luna Park (2003) - [No.15 Ire]
  • Lemonade & Buns (2000)
  • Tóg É Go Bog É (1997) – [No. 27 Ire, No. 55 Auz[2] ]
  • Mind the Gap (1995)
  • Handel's Fantasy (1993)
  • Groovin' - 6-track EP (1991)

Live albums

  • Kíla - Alive Beo (2017)
  • Live in Dublin (2004)
  • Live in Vicar St. (2000)

Soundtrack albums

Compilation albums

  • Rogha - The Best Of (2009) - (double album)
  • Best of & Live in Dublin (double album) - Japan only (2005)

Remix albums

  • Another Beat - remixed Kíla tracks by Japanese artists - Japan only (2006)

Singles

  • "Cara Liom" - featuring the Paul Frost Brass (2023)
  • "Raise the Road" - featuring the Paul Frost Brass (2023)
  • "Cúrsaí Grá" - radio single (2019)
  • "Cardinal Knowledge" - radio edit (2009)
  • "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" - with U2, The Dubliners & A Band of Bowsies (2008), [No. 1 Ire]
  • "Cabhraigí Léi/Nothing Changes Around Here" - remixes with The Thrills giveaway with Hot Press (2007)
  • "Leath ina dhiaidh a hOcht" - radio edit (2007)
  • "hAon Dó & Ní Liom Féin" - with Oki - radio edits (2006)
  • "Tóg é go Bog é" - with Oki, featuring remixes by Sakana & Oki (2005)
  • "An Tiománaí" - with Heatwave, featuring remix by Sakana (2005)
  • "Glanfaidh Mé" - radio edit (2003)
  • "Tóg é go Bog é" - live Christmas single (2002)
  • "Ón Taobh Tuathail Amach" (1997), (No. 26 Ireland)

DVDs

  • Pot of Gold/Alive - 2 discs, DVD (Pota Óir) & CD (Alive Beo), USA only (2021)
  • Cúl an Tí - 12 songs, 12 singers, 12 animators - in collaboration with Cartoon Saloon, Fócas Films and TG4 (2018)
  • Kíla 'Once Upon a Time' - concert film filmed in Vicar St Dublin (2008) - No. 2 Ireland
  • Pota Óir - directed by Anthony White (2018)
  • Live in Vicar St - bonus DVD with Luna Park (2003)

Books

  • Leabhar Foinn - Kíla - Book of Tunes (melody notation book) - Kíla (2011)

Solo albums

Rónán

  • The Beautiful Road - Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Myles O'Reilly (2023) - (Céirníní Claddagh) vinyl, cd & digital
  • Tá Go Maith - Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Indistinct Chatter (aka Myles O'Reilly) (2021) - vinyl & digital
  • Wild Journeys - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2020) - soundtrack album - digital only
  • Ór & Airgead - Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Mark Gavin (2017)
  • Sos - Rónán Ó Snodaigh & The Occasionals (2013)
  • Water Off a Duck's Back - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2011)
  • The Last Mile Home - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2007)
  • The Playdays - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2004)
  • Tonnta Ró - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2003)
  • Tip Toe - Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Simon O'Reilly (2001)

Colm

  • Giving - Colm Ó Snodaigh (2007)
  • Éist - Colm Ó Snodaigh (1990)

Brian

  • 10 Stories Tall - Preachers Son (Brian Hogan) (2014)
  • Love, Life & Limb - Preachers Son (Brian Hogan) (2010)

Dave

  • We Burn Bright - Side 4 Collective - Dave Hingerty (2020) - vinyl

Rossa

  • Aistir ar an Aibítir - Rossa Ó Snodaigh (2020) - digital only

Eoin

  • The Golden Mean - Eoin Dillon, Steve Larkin, Des Cahalan & Frank Tate (2010)
  • The Third Twin - Eoin Dillon (2005)

Books by Members of Kíla

Colm

  • Cnaipí agus scéalta eile (short stories) - Colm Ó Snodaigh (2022)
  • An File - Vivienne Baillie - translated to Irish Colm Ó Snodaigh (2019)
  • Dún Chaoin - Oscail an Scoil! - Colm Ó Snodaigh (2017)
  • Istigh sa Cheol - Colm Ó Snodaigh (2013)
  • Céal & an Buachaill Gorm (children's story) - Sandy Fitzgerald - translated to Irish Colm Ó Snodaigh (2008)
  • Pat The Pipe - Píobaire (novella) - Colm Ó Snodaigh (2007)
  • Turasóireacht (short stories) - Colm Ó Snodaigh (1995)

Rónán

  • When Peace Broke Out in the Garden (poem) - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2022)
  • The Garden Wars (poetry) - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2007)
  • Luascadán (collection of Rónán's song lyrics in Irish) - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2004)
  • Songs (collection of Rónán's song lyrics in English) - Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2004)

Rossa

  • Cad a Chuirfeadh Sceon ar Leon? (children's book including music download) - Rossa Ó Snodaigh, illustrated by Wayne O Connor (2022)
  • Grá i nGléas G (children's book including music download) - Rossa Ó Snodaigh illustrated by Wayne O Connor (2021)
  • Aistir ar an Aibítir (children's book including music download) - Rossa Ó Snodaigh, illustrated by Wayne O Connor(2020)
  • Dearbhuithe Dearfacha - Tiarnán Ó Ruairc - translated to Irish Rossa Ó Snodaigh (2020)
  • An Fochlac Foclach - Rossa Ó Snodaigh, illustrated by Séamus Dunbar (2015)
  • Our Fada - Rossa Ó Snodaigh and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, illustrated by Frantisek Valouche (2012)
  • Cliúsaíocht as Gaeilge / Making Out in Irish (phrase book) - Rossa Ó Snodaigh, illustrated by Frantisek Valouche (2010)
  • The Joy of Pissing (humorous insights into all things urine & urination) - Professor Jimmy Riddle {Rossa Ó Snodaigh} illustrated by Brian Hogan (2006)

References

  1. ^ O'Neill, Malachy. "BBC - Music - Review of Kila - Luna Park". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  2. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 154.
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