WHAT HAPPENS when you fuse a traditional Irish musician from Belfast with American funk and jazz musicians? You get The Olllam and a sound the band themselves describe as “neo-acoustic Celtic post-rock”.
Galway will be able to hear what that sounds like when The Ollam play the Róisín Dubh on Tuesday July 17 at 8pm as part Galway International Arts Festival.
John McSherry is one of Irish trades most respected uilleann pipers. He was a founder member of Lúnasa, has worked with Donal Lunny’s Coolfin, and has been called a “true master” by Irish Music Magazine. Tyler Duncan and Michael Shimmin lead Irish trad-jazz crossover group Millish. Duncan is also a member of dance-rock group My Dear Disco/Ella Riot. On this tour they will be joined by Joe Dar of Detroit funk band Vulpeck, as well as by keyboardist Joe Hettinga and guitarist Seán O’Meara.
The band’s music features trance-like melodies, instrumental virtuosity, and the fusion of tradition with technology. “Everything has a purpose with no excess,” says Duncan. “Together we create a feeling of narrative, each song is highly personal and tells a story. There are no verses, pre-choruses, and bridges, instead of the traditional Irish tune forms.”
For tickets see www.gif.ie; call 091 - 566577; or the festival box office, Galway Tourist Office, Forster Street.
