THE ENERGETIC sound of Túcan could easily be confused with that of a modern Spanish flameco group. With wild contemporary Spanish guitar playing mxed with an obvious passion for heavy metal, this Sligo band have found their niche, and are expanding and tweaking it at a rapid rate. Formed by Donal Gunne and Pearse Feeney from Sligo, the duo have been playing up and down the country for the last couple of years. As a duo playing Spanish guitar it is easy to compare them to the country’s most loved Spanish guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabrielle, and this only compliments their level of ability. With similar style influences from classic and progressive rock to trad, and the somewhat bizarre mixture of gypsy guitar legends like Django Reinhardt, with progressive rock band Tool, the group have compiled a heavy thumping rock and roll, trad, and folk stomping sound. Energetic, euphoric, and loaded with passion.
“We had been playing Spanish guitar together for about 10 years, and I’ve listened to instrumental guitarists all my life”, says Gunne. “We started playing classic rock and singing, until our guitar playing abilities surpassed our singing talents. We listened to gypsy jazz legends like Django Reinhardt, and Al Di Meola, while we were influenced by a variety of genres from world, trad, and rock; it makes the music more appealing with different elements. To create our own style we took bits from different styles, although I have been heavily influenced by heavy metal.”
Following two years performing as a duo, the boys decided to put their talents to the test and record a debut album. To produce the album they were luckily enough to secure Lance Hogan, percussionist and producer from Kíla. Along with his brother Brian, the luminaries were set to change the sound of Túcan and add an exciting edge to the trademark sound. As well seasoned musicians, and hailing from the super talented Kíla, the Hogan brothers suggested adding bass and drums to the mix. Gunne and Feeney were elated with the idea, which brought the band’s sound closer to their vision of a big rock sound, something Gunne said they always wanted to achieve.“When we went into the studio Lance had the vision of a full on rock band. When he showed us we decided it was where we wanted to go, we were rockers at heart so it gave us an edge”, he says.
The release of Aliquot Strings on May 29 saw the album go straight into the Irish Charts and up to number 30 in the album charts. Túcan are a band designed to cross borders as their music has a universal language and mixes so many genres. Gunne says, “Our songs don’t have a beginning, middle, and end, they are a journey from start to finish”. Following the success of the album, Túcan expanded to a four piece. Their intricate music is now fully complemented by the stylish drumming of Paul Wehrly, who blends jazz and metal drumming techniques seamlessly, while bass player Keith Kelly infuses the union with intelligent and grooving bass lines.
Aliquot, meaning several in Latin, is an apt choice of word to indicate the variety of sounds which fluidly grace and infuse this album. From classical and 60s rock to heavy metal, trad, flamenco and jazz, Túcan seamlessly weave an enchanting sound from their repertoire. From the opening chords of ‘Garavogue’, dedicated to the river that runs through their hometown, Túcan fearlessly set out their musical stall.
In a short space of time, the band have supported such luminaries as José Feliciano, contemporaries like Rodrigo y Gabriela and have even been requested by Regina Spektor to support her, having been noticed busking. They have played with Daara J, Dervish, Alabama 3 and Kila. The duo earned themselves the ‘Best Musical Group Award’ from AOIFE (Association of Irish Festival Events ). They had two hugely successful performances at Electric Picnic 2007 including closing out the festival at The Body and Soul Stage.
Túcan will be playing in the Roisin Dubh on Tuesday August 18 with speical guests The Rye, doors at 8.30pm, tickets 10 euro.
