Jamie, Brian and Colette all come from very different backgrounds but share one wonderful thing in common - their passion for and understanding of traditional Celtic music in all its shapes and forms.

Colette moved to London from Ireland in 2001, having toured for several years with the highly successful and vibrant group the Bumblebees. She was closely followed by Jamie, a Scottish fiddler who moved down from Glasgow in 2002 to start a media career that took him from the BBC to Channel 4 News. He's now been a full-time musician for nearly two years. Brian has lived in London all his life but a childhood spent travelling back and forth from Sligo endowed both his playing and his voice with a distinct Irish twang.

All three musicians have come to know each other through the ever-vibrant and constantly shifting traditional music scene in north London. Ceilis, pub gigs, corporate events, sessions - the music keeps flowing. But, from time to time, musicians must step off the gig treadmill and do something that will last the test of time and capture the mood and excitement that exists when they're at their best. We hope we've captured that moment in this album. Enjoy!

I'd been wondering what had become of Colette O'Leary since The Bumblebees dropped from the radar. Now here's the answer. Like her previous band, the new outfit is a trio - this time based in London and featuring Scottish fiddler Jamie Smith and London-born Brian Kelly on banjo and mandolin. The three play together with grace and solidity, and there are some lovely original compositions from Smith. The band has a heavy touring schedule ahead of them (see myspace.com/thelongnotes for details), so with a bit of luck they'll have settled into a more permanent line-up by the time they record a follow-up CD. Judging by the superb standard of the musicianship here, it should be something to look forward to.

These three London-based musicians build a wide range of music on top of essentially Irish foundations. The Long Notes have been playing together for a while, and none of them was new to the game. Piano box ladette Colette O'Leary lent rhythm and power to The Bumblebees. Jamie Smith was the founder fiddler with Beneche. Banjo genius Brian Kelly has played with everyone who could keep him upright, and with many who couldn't. Together they can handle almost anything, and their debut CD presents eleven tracks of tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Quebec, Cape Breton and beyond. Most of it is traditional, much of it is dragged without warning into a new century, and none of it is in the least bit dull.

Take the opening track, Lisa Orenstein's and Lorient Tune, both picked up on tour and remembered because they're just great wee tunes. Track 2 begins with James Kelly's charming Eve's Jig, and the change into Tommy Peoples' Reel starts the old diesel suction. Farmer's Reel completes the set, basically an excuse for old-time fiddle and banjo pyrotechnics. Myra's Tune slows the tempo right down for a bewitching melody by the late great Tom McManamon. The trio tracks continue with a sparkling set of reels and a jig: Brenda Stubbert's, Emmett's Hedgehog, Larry's Favourite and Deil Amang the Tailors, new and old tunes nicely arranged for three. Taxi to Donegal is a straight set of reels, starting slow with a Jamie Smith tune, then moving into the traditional classics Free and Easy and The Flowing Bowl. The final set switches to jigs for a towering crescendo, ending oddly enough with The Stool of Repentance: I don't think The Long Notes have anything to repent here.

In between the ensemble tracks are three solos and two songs. Jamie plays a set of his own compositions, catchy and elusive by turns. Colette does full justice to Steve Cooney's lovely air Ag Fas Fos with the depth and range of the accordion. Brian lashes into a pair of reels, the first another Tom McManamon tune and the second a session standard, played here with inimitabke flair. Bright Blue Rose and When I'm Gone are sung by Julia Reid and Ewan Robertson respectively, and a fine job they make of them: I was particularly impressed by the power and clarity of Julia's singing. Julia and Ewan also contribute accompaniment on a few tracks, as do Paddy Gallagher, Tim Edey, Martin O'Neill and Oscar Cainer. The end result is a very varied and thoroughly enjoyable album: an excellent taster and a spur to see The Long Notes live. Check out www.myspace.com/thelongnotes for gig dates and more info. Nice one, guys!

Long time members of the Irish American band SOLAS (Webpage: www.solasmusic.com) they will be performing a trio concert featuring material from their forthcoming duet album "Serenade" which was released early this year receiving enthusiastic reviews.

"We have been playing together for years as part of Solas and have always wanted to record a duet album" say Horan and McAuley. "Some time off the road from the band this year finally allowed us to do that. While there are original instrumental compositions featured, and songs by artists like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, we also have recorded older traditional tunes and more obscure tunes from Cape Breton, America, French Canada, Scotland and Ireland."

Born and raised in New York of Irish parents, Winifred began playing music at an early age. Her first instrument was piano, which she learned from her father who was himself an accomplished pianist and jazz trumpeter. His love for classical, jazz and traditional Irish Music was a great influence on Winifred and ultimately laid out a colourful and eclectic musical direction. She began fiddle and Irish dance lessons in the then bustling Irish scene in New York in the 1970's. Her fiddle teacher was the late Maureen Glynn and her dancing teacher was the great Donald Golden. Throughout these years she participated and competed in many fleadhs and competitions in the US and Ireland, winning the US National Dance Championships a record nine years in a row.

At this time, she was also pursuing a path in classical music and ultimately won a scholarship to attend Mannes College of Music in Manhattan, as a teenager, for violin. She then went on to earn a degree in Music from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. This combination of both classical and traditional backrounds helps to define the style that is so identifiable and associated with Winifred's playing. In demand as a dancer, fiddle player and studio musician, she has worked with many of the finest musicians on the Irish Music scene. She has played and recorded with Cherish the Ladies, Sharon Shannon, Pierce Turner, Richard Shindell, Eileen Ivers, Liz Carroll and many more. Her meeting and ultimate collaboration with Seamus Egan saw the start of the Irish American band SOLAS which has been received successfully worldwide. Solas has been critically acclaimed for it's live performances, timeless recordings and extraordinary musicianship.

Winifred released two solo albums in 2002 - "Just one Wish" and "The Pleasures of Home" to critical acclaim in the U.S. and Ireland.

Mick McAuley from Kilkenny was born into the well-known musical Kilkenny McAuley family and has also been playing Irish Music from a very early age. In fact, his first public performance was when he was featured on tin whisle by the late great Irish tenor, Frank Patterson at the tender age of five. Mick took up accordion at the age of nine and has since become one of the leading exponents on this instrument in Ireland. During his teenage years he mastered several other instruments and competed successfully in various competitions. By his late teens he had toured extensively throughout Europe at concerts and various cultural festivals as part of the family group, other ensembles, and as a soloist.

Mick moved to London in 1991 and recorded and toured regularly with the London based Ron Kavana Alias band and was part of "The Bucks" with Ron, Terry Woods and piper Paddy Keenan. Returning home for a while in 1994, Mick recorded and toured with Niamh Parsons' Loose Connections and has recorded or toured with Karan Casey, Paul Brennan of Clannad, and eurovision winner Eimear Quinn. While spending time in New York during the mid to late nineties he joined the band SOLAS and has recorded and toured with them during the years since.

2003 saw the release of Mick's debut solo album, "An Ocean's Breadth" which received rave reviews and was heralded by the Washington Post as " Celtic Album of the Year". While the album re-affirmed him as one of the best accordionists in Irish music, it also established him as one of the finest and most unique singers in Ireland. Horan and McAuley are joined on the album and for the live performance by the great guitar player, Donal Clancy. A former member of Solas, Donal has also worked with his father Liam Clancy, Eileen Ivers, and is currently a member of the well known Irish traditional band Danu.

The fiddle/ accordion combination of Horan and McAuley has long been recognised as an integral part of the unique Solas sound. The upcoming release of their duet album " Serenade" is set to clearly establish Horan and McAuley as a powerful musical force in their own right. A concert not to be missed!

Téada, now firmly established as one of Irish music's leading exponents on the international world music stage, continues to be driven by a fascination with the timeless, expressive force of traditional tunes inherited from previous generations of musicians. 2008 is proving to be an extremely eventful year for the group, with a performance at Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada and a first headlining appearance in Malaysia. The group received an invitation also by the Irish Embassy in Rome, to perform at a commemorative event marking the 400th anniversary of the landmark event in Irish history known as “The Flight of the Earls”.

Founded by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, Téada first came together in 2001 to make an appearance on the innovative Irish television series ‘Flosc’. In the intervening years of prominent international touring, the group has evolved to frequent headline performances at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Israel and Australia. A notable highlight was a headlining appearance to a 30,000-audience in Brittany during 2006, a year which also saw the band launch a hugely successful CD/DVD ‘Inné Amárach’, released by Gael Linn and Compass Records.

With engaging textural arrangements, Téada, meaning "strings" in the Irish language revels in the vibrant traditional music of Ireland. Deftly playing up its structural intricacies while preserving the contagious energy inherent in the repertoire, the group strives to capture a sense of the rawness and individuality of the solo artist, within a modern group context.

A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin/RIAM, Oisín Mac Diarmada began playing fiddle at a young age in Co. Clare, subsequently moving to Co. Sligo and developing a deep interest in the playing style of the North Connacht region. Following the release of acclaimed solo album, "Ar an bhFidil" (Green Linnet) in 2003, Oisín was subsequently featured in renowned US magazine “Strings” and described by The Irish Echo's Earle Hitchner as "one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today." Founder of noted group Téada, Oisín is also a regular solo performer, appearing recently as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Awarded a Research Studentship by Dundalk Institute of Technology, Oisín is currently pursuing postgraduate studies under the direction of Dr. Fintan Vallely in the area of “Political Identity & Movement to Music”.

Paul Finn from Co. Laois is one of the rising stars of button accordion playing in Ireland. Known for a pulsating and rhythmic performance style, his playing featured prominently in major international touring dance productions, as well as in the indigenous session scene in Ireland, prior to his joining Téada.

Hailing from the rich musical environment of Co. Sligo, 29-year-old Damien Stenson is noted for his extensive repertoire and flowing style of playing, honed by many years of extensive musical activity. He is featured on a number of albums including the compilation "Wooden Flute Obsession Vol. 2", Oisín Mac Diarmada's solo album "Ar an bhFidil”, along with a recent bodhrán album by Junior Davey.

Seán McElwain from Monaghan brings a strong string dimension to Téada through his dynamic contributions on guitar and bouzouki. In recent times, touring performances have seen Sean gaining growing accolades for his accompainment and melodic skills from many quarters. He is actively involved in the organising and running of an annual weekend of music 'Scoil Cheoil na Botha' in his native county Monaghan.

From Glenageary in Co Dublin, Tristan's bodhrán playing encompasses a distinctive musical sensitivity, evident on a number of recordings and tours with which he has had involvement in recent years. Prominent in Dublin musical circles, Tristan recently completed a Masters in Film & Television Studies from Dublin City University. He presently combines freelance media work alongside performing with Téada.

"Téada have delivered the freshest traditional album of the past year, unrepentantly oldschool and performed with a drive and dynamism which should put their elders and betters to shame."

Greg McAteer, Hot Press - August 2006

“Inné Amárach is a snapshot of a band who revel in the unpredictable forces of the tradition, adding their own tincture of personality for deliciously good measure.” Siobhan Long, The Irish Times – July 2006 (4-Star Review/CD of The Week) "Téada...determinedly keep the traditional flag flying at full mast throughout their debut. They imbue their music with a decidedly Old World feeling...unhurried and satisfied to let the music breathe."

Siobhan Long, The Irish Times – 2004

"One of the most deeply satisfying traditional works to come our way in some time. Téada are among the youngest of the new crop of Irish musicians but they display a fierce familiarity with the old ways. They represent the strings that bind, a group of young players bent on producing a deeply authentic sound while moving towards the cutting edge of the next generation of traditional practitioners."

Irish Music Magazine - 2004

Born in London into a family with their roots deep in the heart of the West Kerry Gaeltacht.Tommy was raised in a melting pot of sounds from the rhythms of The Beatles on the radio and his parents Irish records on the turntable. Tommy was always a keen singer and by the time the family moved back to West Kerry in 1972 he had already begun playing guitar.By his mid teens he started performing locally in Dingle, already a popular tourist destination largely due to the movie epic 'Ryan's Daughter' which was filmed in the locality.Encouraged by local publican and musician Fergus Flaherty, Tommy started to explore the world of traditional music. He dabbled with open guitar tunings and listened to everybody from Paul Brady and Dick Gaughan, to the acclaimed West Kerry musicians The Begley Family. Through trial and error he eventually settled into the DADGAD tuning, a trade mark sound of his later recordings. In 1982,with Ireland in deep recession, Tommy again moved to London. There, amongst the swell of a wave of Irish immigration, he found himself engulfed in a stream of traditional music from all over Ireland. Amid this vibrant scene, Tommy quickly established himself as a useful guitar player and singer. Many of the musicians in and around this circle would later come to national and international attention such as John Carty, Mike McGoldrick, Dezi Donnelly, Sean Keane, Ron Kavana, and actor Patrick Bergin( a regular bass player on the scene).

Tommy also took a keen interest in the English folk club scene and became friendly with amongst others Barry Dransfield and Martin Simpson. These influences can be heard in his rendition of 'The Grey Funnel Line' which he recorded on the Sliabh Notes album 'Along Blackwater's Banks'in 2003.All in all, Tommy kept his base in London for 10 years. There were however a few notable side trips: In the spring of '86 he travelled to the U.S. with fiddle player Tommy McCarthy. They performed as 'in flight entertainers' for Virgin Atlantic airlines a feat that prompted a headline in the evening press proclaiming "The first ceili at 5000ft"!(Tommy McCarthy went on to open 'The Burren' in Boston which has become one of the most famous Irish American music venues in the States).

Returning again to London,Tommy embarked on the first of many trips to Denmark. Eventually he joined 'Ashplant' a Copenhagen based band with Danish and Irish members. Ashplant regularly toured and played at festivals all over Scandinavia. Tommy continued to tour with Ashplant until he eventually returned to Ireland in 1992.Within a year he released his acclaimed debut album 'Legacy'. Among the musicians featured were Matt Cranitch and Steve Cooney.

Shortly after the release of 'Legacy', Matt, Tommy and '4 Men and a Dog' box player Donal Murphy formed 'Sliabh Notes'. To date they have recorded three albums: Sliabh Notes, Gleanntan and Along Blackwater's Banks. They have built an enviable reputation and have performed at many international festivals. One of the bands many highlights was on the streets of Cork city in Sep.2005 when along with Michael Flatley, The Kilfenora Ceili band and nearly 7000 dancers they entered 'The Guinness Book Of Records' for the largest gathering of people to play and dance the siege of Ennis!

In 1997 Tommy also began touring regularly with ex-Bothy Band virtuoso piper Paddy Keenan. Having featured on Paddy's solo album 'Na Keen Affair', Tommy booked a sell-out tour of Ireland for the duo. They later went on to record the much acclaimed album 'The Long Grazing Acre' which was released on the compass label in 2003.The pair continue to tour and appear at festivals worldwide.

Tommy's long overdue second solo album was recorded in 2006 and released this year. Entitled 'Song Ablaze'it is an ambitious project with songs that range from traditional Irish and traditional American to the works of contemporary writers again from both sides of the Atlantic. The album includes an international cast of such stellar musicians as 2006 Grammy award winner Tim O'Brien(USA),Shetland fiddle master Chris Stout, champion harp player Catriona McKay(Sco), David Robertson(Sco,Capercaillie), James Blennerhassett, Eilis Kennedy(Irl)and Pete Grant(USA)

"His tunes embrace every nuance of musical expression, including agonisingly beautiful album closer 'DynrÖst', a tune that would wrest an emotional response from the hardest heart."
***** Songlines

Chris Stout's family come from Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Isles, and he lived there till 1984 when he was eight years of age, and it was during those years that he started to acquire his love and deep knowledge of the Shetland fiddle tradition first becoming aware of the fiddle at the age of three. His family then moved to the South Mainland of Shetland and he lived and was educated there, till his last three years at school which he spent at the music school of Douglas Academy in Glasgow. Throughout these formative years he combined playing classical music at a high standard with traditional music, playing initially at home with his father who plays accordion, and later with other young musicians who were mainly fiddle players and were given the name Fiddlers' Bid. His ability to play both traditional and classical music led to a memorable achievement in 1990 when Chris won both Shetland's 'Young Fiddler of the Year' and Shetland's 'Young Musician of the Year' competitions.

After that he spent five years at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama graduating after three years not in traditional music, but with a degree in classical violin. His remarkable technical ability on the instrument, which enables him at all times to express with passion and precision exactly what he wants to convey, dates from those years.

A BBC commission for fiddle and orchestra, 'Dynröst' was performed by Chris, members of the Chris Stout Quintet and the BBC Scotttish Symphony Orchestra in the City Halls as part of a concert at the Celtic Connections Festival in 2007. The new album has two tunes on it which formed part of that commission and have been re-arranged for the quintet: the title track 'Devils Advocate' and a slow air called 'Dynröst'.

Chris is an energetic musician who thrives on varying challenges. As well as his quintet he is the driving force behind the Shetland band Fiddlers Bid and has performed with groups such as the Finlay MacDonald Band, Salsa Celtica, John Rae's Celtic Feet, Colin Steele's Stramash, and the Graham Stephens Sextet, the last three of these bands somewhat closer to jazz than traditional acoustic music.

This brings his biography full circle because of the close connections between Scandinavian music and the music of his own native Shetland.

Catriona is one of Scotland's most versatile and creative harpists. She writes and arranges music for solo performance and for the ensembles she works with. She is a recital and recording artist, concerto soloist, chamber musician and is a performer of x-genre, contemporary and improvised music as well as following her roots performing traditional Scottish music worldwide.

She plays harp and piano in the Shetland-based band Fiddlers' Bid and the Chris Stout Quintet, has a harp and fiddle duo with Chris Stout and plays World/Jazz music with Phil Alexander(piano/box). Catriona continues to be at the cutting edge of harp music as she develops her interest in experimental music and improvisation, working and performing with a combination of clarsach and live electronics with leading electroacoustic composer Alistair MacDonald.

Catriona has recently designed a harp with a new tuning pattern, designed for use in contemporary folk music. Made by Scottish company "Starfish Designs", the "Starfish McKay" harp is unique and is an experimental and exciting step in a new direction for the Celtic harp. "Totally in charge of her instrument and mistress of her craft" Irish Music Magazine

As A duo, Chris and Catriona have toured across Europe. Trips to Brasil and more recently Japan to name a few of the exciting opportunities they have had. Catriona and Chris face no musical barriers. Having performed together now for ten years, their performances promise to be an exciting, captivating and moving. Their first recording exclusively as a duo, 'Laebrack' was released to acclaim in 2005 on Greentrax Records.

Hailing from Limerick, Ireland and has been entertaining audiences with her individual unique voice, and her personal style of songwriting. No newcomer to the entertainment field, Siobhan made her first audio recording at the tender age of six, with an old sea shanty. Siobhan has roots from four generations in the music industry. Most notably, she is the niece of Ireland's Sixties music legend, Brendan Bowyer. Her vocal style has beendescribed as "caressing a lyric with sophisticated simplicity.

In addition to Bob Dylan inviting her to join him on stage, Siobhan has performed in concert as a guest vocalist with the famed Irish group The Chieftains. She has also appeared in shows supporting such acts as: Christy Moore, Donavan, Pete Cummins (FleadhCowboys/NanciGriffith/Chieftains) Sharon Shannon, Henry Mc Cullough, Maria Mc Kee and many more.

Siobhan's new CD 'Songs I grew Up To' includes special guest appearances by several of Siobhan's musical friends including Paddy Moloney (The Chieftans) Pete Cummins(Fleadh Cowboys/Nanci Griffith) & (Irish music legend) Brendan Bowyer.
One of the tracks from the CD 'All My Trials' has been picked up for inclusion on a compilation CD, by British Company 'Matchbox Recordings' . What's next for Siobhan O'Brien? She is constantly performing in Ireland and America. There is always a new song to be written. Siobhan is enjoying the current wave of excitement her new release 'Songs I grew Up To' is bringing to her always expanding career.

QUOTES:

Boston Globe Interview with Paddy Moloney. Moloney says he was astonished when he heard O'Brien's voice on tape. "I was blown away. I thought she's brilliant, you know? I can't understand why she's not at the top," Moloney says. "Maybe she didn't want it? I don't know the full story, but she has a beautiful voice. When you have a voice like that, you should get on with it."

Bono (U2)- "WOW"

Lilli Kuzma ~ Host of" Folk Festival: radio show WDCB-FM Chicago "Siobhan has a marvelous voice and style, and seamlessly incorporates her musical influences into excellent arrangements that transcend genres".

Christy is a fine art photographer and a dedicated musician playing both the button accordion and concertina . Born and reared in County Clare (the home of traditional Irish music), he released his first solo recording "The House I Was Reared In" in July 2007 to critical acclaim. He is the first ever Irish winner of a Communication Art Award for his photograph of the fiddle player Paddy Killoughery. His work has been shown from London to Los Angeles and throughout Europe and Scandanavia and is held in many private and public collections worldwide. During 2006 and 2007 Christy's work was exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, La Jolla San Diegio, London and Ireland. His influences are often drawn from his locale and its people. Other influences derive from his musicianship and love of traditional music, especially evident from his work on the book, "The Living Note", with the writer and radio producer Peter Woods. Apart from this Christy has built up a large body of music photography taking in the likes of U2 and The Pogues. He divides his time between Spancilhill, and New York.

Sarah McQuaid

Born in Madrid, Spain, raised in Chicago and holding dual Irish and American citizenship, singer/guitarist and songwriter Sarah McQuaid lived in Ireland from 1994 to 2007. She has now moved with her husband and two children to the home formerly occupied by her parents near Penzance, Cornwall. She has also recently been co-writing songs with fellow Penzance resident Zoë (author and performer of 1991 hit single 'Sunshine On A Rainy Day'). The pair have commenced recording together and hope soon to release an album under the band name Mama.

Having discovered Irish music and the DADGAD open tuning during her stint in France, Sarah went on to found the traditional band Carnloch after graduating from Haverford College (a Quaker institution better known as the co-educational counterpart of its sister college Bryn Mawr) with a Magna Cum Laude (High Honours) BA in philosophy. The band toured folk clubs, colleges and universities for several years, and released a self-produced CD, The Crooked Road, in 1993.

In 1994, Sarah moved to Ireland, where she became a weekly folk music columnist for the Evening Herald and a contributor to Hot Press magazine. She is also the author of a guitar tutor, The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book, described by The Irish Times as "a godsend to aspiring traditional guitarists."

In the autumn of 1997, she recorded her debut solo album, When Two Lovers Meet, featuring traditional tunes and songs along with one original number. "Sarah's voice is both as warm as a turf fire and as rich as matured cognac.... An astonishing debut by a unique talent," wrote the Rough Guide To Irish Music. Despite the critical acclaim, a long break from the music scene followed, during which Sarah worked as a magazine editor, married Feargal Shiels and had two children.

When Two Lovers Meet was re-released in Ireland on 23 February 2007. Sarah's ensuing nationwide tour was highly successful, thanks in large part to a very well-received appearance on The View, the acclaimed arts television show hosted by John Kelly on RTÉ1. On 30 July 2007, the album had its first UK release, with distribution through Proper Records. The December 2007 edition of fRoots described it as "a masterclass in restraint and subtlety. Authoritative singing and quietly insistent arrangements make for a sumptuous whole - recommended." Tracks from the album were included in FolkCast's December 2007 "artists of the year" podcast and in Mike Ganley's Top Ten picks for 2007.

Together Liz and Yvonne Kane create a highly exciting and vibrant sound. These sisters come from Dawros on the outskirts of Letterfrack, a village in Connemara along the West coast of Ireland. With a musical tradition on both sides of the family, it was only natural for the girls to play music. Their grandfather, fiddle player Jimmy Mullen, has been a leading figure on the traditional music scene in Connemara for over 50 years and it was his enthusiasm that encouraged the sisters to learn to play the fiddle.

They began learning music from both their grandfather Jimmy Mullen and South Sligo musician and teacher, Mary Finn McCrudden. Along with the recordings of the Rainey brothers, their grandfather and Mary were an early influence on their music. The Raineys were travelling fiddle players who visited Letterfrack and the surrounding areas in the 1950s.

Music very soon became an integral part of their everyday lives and holidays were spent attending summer schools in Tubbercurry and Drumshanbo. Liz was interested in competition unlike Yvonne who disliked the tense atmosphere. In 1992, Liz won the Fiddler of Dooney in Sligo and went on to win the All-Ireland senior fiddle and duet title as well as the Fiddler of Oriel in 1995. She returned to Monaghan the following year and regained the Fiddler of Oriel title.

Yvonne and Liz consider their style to be heavily influenced by South Sligo fiddle playing, the music of East Galway and in particular the fiddle playing and compositions of Paddy Fahey. In recent years, the sisters have been privileged to meet and play with Paddy whose music plays a central role in their repertoire. The recordings of Michael Coleman, Hughie Gillespie, Andy McGann and Kathleen Collins have also made an impact on their music.

Liz studied music at University College Cork and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree and a Higher Diploma in Education. Yvonne moved to Galway and began playing music fulltime. After finishing in Cork, Liz returned to Galway and they both shared a house with musician, Sharon Shannon. The following year, they joined her band as part of 'Sharon Shannon and The Woodchoppers'. For the next three years, the band took them all over the world to promote the release of the album 'The Diamond Mountain Sessions'.