Beoga are a five-piece traditional band based in County Antrim. The band was drawn together after 'jamming' in a ferocious music session at the All-Ireland Fleadh in August 2002. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordians of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. In 2005, Beoga were nominated by Irish Music Magazine for the best traditional newcomer's award. With the addition of one of Ireland's premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Beoga look set to confirm their reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years.

The band released their debut album 'a lovely madness' in September 2004, to critical and popular acclaim in Ireland, Europe and America. Describing Beoga as a 'phenomenon' and their music as 'madcap genius', Irish music magazine predicted they will make a big mark on the Irish music scene.

The bedrock of Beoga's music lies firmly within the Irish tradition, but they are not afraid to incorporate other genres' nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. With a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, the debut album 'a lovely madness' earned 9/10 in Ireland's Hot Press magazine and was in the list of Top Trad/Folk Albums of the year.

Over the last couple of years Beoga have followed a busy European tour schedule, which included headlining various prestigious festivals, performing on the Guinness Irish Christmas tour of Austria, the German Irish Folk Festival tour along with Solas and Kevin Burke and the Irish Unplugged Tour of Holland, with the Fureys and Davey Arthur. The group have just released their 2nd eagerly awaited album 'Mischief' which contains more of their self-composed material, played in their own highly individualistic style. The album has also received excellent reviews across the board, including a 9.5/10 rating in Hot Press and has been tipped by Irish Music Magazine as a contender for album of the year. Beoga's popularity continues to flourish, as they captivate audiences on a global scale with their blend of passion, energy and vitality.

"Beoga is a stunning band. We have been playing them regularly on the radio show since they sent us this new album. It is one of the best this year. Super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major, major band to be reckoned with. On several occasions during the early listens, we actually found ourselves laughing out loud to some of the musical inventiveness."
Copyright © 2007 Bill Margeson: The Chicago Irish-American News / Live Ireland.com

"A lovely madness, the 2004 debut from County Antrim's Beoga, is still one of my favourite trad recordings of all time. With top class musicianship, great taste in material and a wonderful ebullience that comes through loud and clear even within the confines of a studio, the band really only lacked one thing, and that was a singer. Well, now they've got one. Hailing from County Limerick, Niamh Dunne has a beautifully warm, smoky voice that wraps itself snugly around. Mischief - NINE POINT FIVE/TEN."
Copyright © 2007 Sarah McQuaid, Hot Press

"Beoga follow up their blistering 2004 debut, A Lovely Madness, with an even more high-spirited collection. Dueling accordions still define the band's identity, but they're augmented by newcomer Niamh Dunne's fiddle and vocals, and by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, no less. BEOGA Mischief ****."
Copyright © 2007 Siobhan Long, The Irish Times

"In Beoga the Irish music world gained another prodigy, a term not lightly used nor given without credit... the band whose debut album carried the torch for experimentalists don't look as if they are going to stop there. Mischief is definitely a coming of age... the miracle-dust must have been sprinkled by the bucketful during recording with the finished article already emerging as a contender for album of the year. The twelve tracks are homage to the talented five-piece. Hard work and smart moves are the order of the day for soon to be supergroup Beoga..."
Eddie Creaney, Copyright © 2007 Irish Music Magazine

They could as well have called this CD More Lovely Madness: glorious, multi-hued mayhem mixed with genius.
Copyright © 2007 Alex Monaghan, Living Tradition

"Beoga is a stunning band. We have been playing them regularly on the radio show since they sent us this new album. It is one of the best this year. Super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major, major band to be reckoned with. On several occasions during the early listens, we actually found ourselves laughing out loud to some of the musical inventiveness."
Copyright © 2007 Bill Margeson: The Chicago Irish-American News / Live Ireland.com

"A lovely madness, the 2004 debut from County Antrim's Beoga, is still one of my favourite trad recordings of all time. With top class musicianship, great taste in material and a wonderful ebullience that comes through loud and clear even within the confines of a studio, the band really only lacked one thing, and that was a singer. Well, now they've got one. Hailing from County Limerick, Niamh Dunne has a beautifully warm, smoky voice that wraps itself snugly around. Mischief - NINE POINT FIVE/TEN."
Copyright © 2007 Sarah McQuaid, Hot Press

"Beoga follow up their blistering 2004 debut, A Lovely Madness, with an even more high-spirited collection. Dueling accordions still define the band's identity, but they're augmented by newcomer Niamh Dunne's fiddle and vocals, and by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, no less. BEOGA Mischief ****." Copyright © 2007 Siobhan Long, The Irish Times

"In Beoga the Irish music world gained another prodigy, a term not lightly used nor given without credit... the band whose debut album carried the torch for experimentalists don't look as if they are going to stop there. Mischief is definitely a coming of age... the miracle-dust must have been sprinkled by the bucketful during recording with the finished article already emerging as a contender for album of the year. The twelve tracks are homage to the talented five-piece. Hard work and smart moves are the order of the day for soon to be supergroup Beoga..."
Eddie Creaney, Copyright © 2007 Irish Music Magazine

"They could as well have called this CD More Lovely Madness: glorious, multi-hued mayhem mixed with genius."
Copyright © 2007 Alex Monaghan, Living Tradition

Emer Mayock is a musician and composer from Co. Mayo. As a young musician she learned to play traditional Irish music on a range of instruments including the Flute and Uilleann Pipes.

In 1996, Emer recorded her debut CD 'Merry Bits of Timber' and released it on an independent record label. The music that emerged from this recording was a mix of both traditional music and pieces written by Emer. The overwhelming response to the recording led to a series of tours and live performances as well as radio and television appearances.

She has worked with among others, traditional musicians Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Michael O' Domhnaill, Cormac Breathnach, Flook!, Grada, guitarist John Doyle, flautist Jean-Michel Veillon, singer Damien Dempsey, jazz musician Michael Buckley, French music producer Hughes de Courson, Breton harpist Alan Stivell, the Irish Chamber Choir, Italian baroque ensemble il Giardino Armonico and Greek singer Eleftheria Arvanitaki.

Alongside a busy schedule of live work with her own band and the Afro Celts (she has worked with the band since 1999), Emer became increasingly interested in writing new music; for her second release she wrote thirteen pieces of music and gathered together an array of musicians to record the music. 'Playground' was recorded in Co. Mayo, Dublin and New York in the Autumn of 2000 and released on Emer's own record label Is Mise.

Emer has continued to travel world wide with her music. Highlights include concerts in China where she performed a new work written by Chinese composer Jia Daqun. Emer was part of the Masters of Tradition festival in Bantry in August 2004 where she performed with the festival's artistic director Martin Hayes as well as Steve Cooney and Altan members Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh &Dermot Byrne.

She collaborated with British musician Nitin Sawhney on one of his compositions as part of The Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire. More recently Emer presented a nine-week series on RTE Radio One entitled 'The Wider Embrace' which explored music from a range of diverse sources. In 2006 Emer composed music for 'Winter Pictures', a play for children which toured Wales for two months before opening at The Ark, Dublin and Glor Irish Music Centre, Ennis.

Niamh Ní Charra hails from Killarney, County Kerry in the south west of Ireland. Strongly influenced by the wealth of local Sliabh Luachra musicians, she started playing music at the early age of 4, under the tutelage of well known local musician Nicky McAuliffe. Equally talented on fiddle and concertina, she has won numerous awards, including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Oireachtas, and Slógadh Náisiúnta and has represented Ireland at folk festivals in Britain and France. Somewhat of a child prodigy, she had support gigs for The Chieftains, and Noel Hill under her belt before she reached her teens.

She swiftly followed this with recordings for Irish radio and television, and performances with Riverdance 's European troupe in Europe, Asia and on board the QE2, before joining the U.S. troupe in 1998. Niamh performed with Riverdance from that date until December 2005, touring with them in North America. From Mexico to Vancouver, and Los Angeles to Broadway, New York, Niamh has delighted audiences with her fiery fiddling, fancy footwork and dazzling smiles. More recently she shared her talents in Riverdance's Irish and Far East productions performing in her native capital as well as the more exotic locations of Tokyo and Taipei among others. This summer she is joining the band of Carlos Núnez - the new king of the Celts - to tour with him extensively European festivals.

Niamh has just released her debut album "Ón Dá Thaobh / From Both Sides" to much critical acclaim and is touring this album in company of the Mike Galvin. Mike Galvin, producer, arranger, composer, has played with several bands and dance shows in various roles. He has recently had the opportunity to launch THE MIKE GALVIN QUINTET. Mike who plays piano, percussion and his own prototype guitar is currently working on an album of original music with the quintet line up in mind to perform it live.

"Forget talk of tradition versus innovation: Ní Charra's facility with everything from 19th-century Italian composer Giulio Regondi's Allegretto No 4 to a glorious set of Sliabh Luachra slides reflect a musician at home with music of any hue. "
Siobhán Long, Irish Times (4 stars)

"This is quite simply, ground breaking. This is master-class musicianship and legend in the making... "
Folk Radio UK

"Whichever side you look at it from, Niamh Ní Charra's solo debut is a total success."
Alex Monaghan

"From Both Sides is a wonderful musical experiment, and the results are more explosive than you could imagine."
The Irish World

Padraic O'Reilly is one of the leading traditional Irish piano players of now days. He recorded two highly acclaimed solo CDs. The latest by the name "High strung" was released this spring and features not only virtuoso piano playing but also lovely settings with strings played by the young Corofin String Quartet. Padraic and the Corofin String Quartet will play at the Magnetic Music "Best for the West concerts" tracks from this album and more. A great night bringing together both worlds of Irish traditional and classical music.

Padraic O'Reilly hails from Corofin in Co. Clare, the middle of three sons. Although at the end of his mid twenties, he has quickly developed a reputation as one of Ireland's leading traditional piano players, both as a soloist and accompanist. He was a founding member of the group Turas in 1996, and following their self titled album they were invited to the Washington Irish Folk Festival in 1997. He has also recorded with the American-based accordion player James Keane, as well as Garry Shannon and Feenish (PJ and Marcus Hernon).

His 2001 debut solo album "Down the Ivory Stairs" has been critically acclaimed, and was listed as one of the Top Ten Albums of 2001 by Aine Hensey on RTE's website. He has made numerous TV and radio appearances, the highlight being his ground-breaking piano quartet with Mícheál Ó'Súilleabháin, Geraldine Cotter and Caoimhín Vallely on the 2002 Rose of Tralee broadcast, which was beamed live via satellite to millions of viewers all over the world. He is leader of the Ennis Céilí Band, current All-Ireland 2-in-a-row champions, with whom he has recently cut a CD. He has also toured extensively with the Four Courts Céilí Band, and has also played with the Kilfenora and Tulla Céilí Bands. He has both classical and traditional training on the piano.

John is a native of Cork, the county he lovingly describes as 'the centre of the universe' and it has been a huge influence on this singer / songwriter. Vocally, Spillane is quite unique with an almost sean nos like element and has been described as having a voice 'full of honesty, commitment and sensitivity'.

His debut solo album 'The Wells of The World' (1997) was described by Hot Press's Oliver Sweeney as, 'not only a striking and individual musical statement, but one of the albums of this or any other year.' His compositions have been described as, "highly original in concept, full of imagery and wonder".

Before embarking on his solo career, John honed his 'live' skills playing for over seven years with Cork based "The Stargazers" and more recently toured the globe for five years as singer with trad giants, Nomos.

The hugely successful album 'Éist' featured two of Spillane's works, one of which was 'Eist do Bheal' performed beautifully by Sinead Lohan and written by Spillane and the Gaelic poet Louis de Paor. It's follow up, 'Éist Arís' (or 'Son of Éist' as John calls it!) again features one of John's songs.

Spillane and De Paor, have often paired up on projects, John refers to their collaborations as 'The Gaelic Hit Factory'! At the end of 2000, following an invitation, the 'GHF' performed in several universities on the east coast of America and they got the year 2001 off to a good start by winning the prestigious Realta 2001 Irish song contest. With the prize involving one piece of Galway Crystal, the GHF decided to re-enter in 2002 and again won the competition. So now both mantelpieces are adorned with the Galway Crystal!!

John's latest album title 'Will We Be Brilliant Or What?' , which entered the Irish album charts at number 14(!) is a collection of thirteen songs that tell the story of his life up to now. "Will We Be Brilliant Or What?" was produced by Peter O'Toole (Hot House Flowers) and Declan Sinnott. Released in May 2002 on the EMI Ireland label. In March 2003 John won the prestigious Meteor Ireland Music Award in the Best Folk/Traditional Act category.

2003 also saw Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane, Karen Casey and others record and release some of John's songs John has his own Radio Show on RnaG. The show is called "Rogha John Spillane" and is broadcasted from 9.pm pm to 11pm pm every Sunday night. It'll be all in Irish of course. That's what they do on Raidíó na Gaeltachta, it's Ireland's Irish Language Station!

In 2004 as well as writing the music and song, John produced and performed on a Brown Bag Films ("Give up your Auld Sins" animation, nominated for an Academy Award in 2003) animation called "The Boy Who Had no Story" based on one of John's songs "What's the Story Rory" It won an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards) under 2 categories, best animation and best children's program. On Sun 31st Oct '04.

Towards the end of 2004 John met up with producer John Reynolds (Sinead O'Connor, Damian Dempsey, Indigo Girls) and started to work on his next album at John Reynolds's studio in London. April 1st 2005 saw the release of "Hey Dreamer" on EMI Ireland. John's third solo album went to number 4 in the Irish album charts on week of release and three weeks later it was still in the top ten. A sell out Irish tour followed, ending with a sell out show in Cork's Opera House (home town).

JOHN THE RECORDING ARTIST. In Oct/Nov '04 John spent a few weeks in London working on his new album for EMI with producer John Reynolds,,,,

"Hey Dreamer" the new album was released on Friday 1st April '05 and went straight to number 4 in the Irish album charts,,,,Happy Days in the Gaelic Hit Factory!!

CORK, European Capital of Culture 2005 John's home town, Cork, has been designated European Capital of Culture for the year 2005, and John was honored to be invited to sing a new composition "Farranree", written specially for the occasion, at the official launch party on January 8th 2005, on Cork's main street, Patrick's Street, to an live audience of up to 100,000 and was also broadcast live on RTE television

JOHN THE SONGWRITER It's been a great year for other people recording John's songs. Christy Moore, Karen Casey, Sharon Shannon and Sean Keane. Sean Keane has recorded three songs on his new album "The Valley of the Heart" Sharon Shannon recorded "All the Way's You Wander" on her latest album. George Murphy's first single in June '04 was a John Spillane song "The Moon Going Home" Happy Day's in the Hit Factory!! "The Moon Going Home" reached number 2 for two weeks in the Irish charts. George's album "Dreamed a Dream" which reached number 1 in the charts in its second week of release has two of John's songs.

MacDara Début album "The Love Token" MacDara loves every aspect of music making and this comes across in his singing. He is a native of the Aran Island of Inishere and is in tune with nature. He spots what is beautiful in his surroundings and recognizes the perfect song for him. Equally he has the ability to surround himself with the best exponents of Irish music creating a dream team of musicians. The album is co-produced by Máire Breatnach (Riverdance, The Chieftains, Rónán Keating, Christy Moore, Brian Kennedy), who also provides some beautiful musical accompaniment along with Johnny McDonagh (Dé Danann, Arcady), Bill Shanley (Paul Brady, Mary Black, Tommy Fleming), Ennis' own Danny Byrt, Paul Gunning, Mick O'Brien and MacDara's sister, singer Lasairfhíona. MacDara featured on the Lasairfhíona album, An Raicín Álainn, issued in 2002 and continues to impress listeners all over the world with the song "Bímse Féin Ag Iascaireacht". He has performed all over Ireland and at international music festivals, such as the TradIt Festival in Holland, Quessant Salon du Livre International Festival, in Brittany and the Cambridge Festival.

"There is nothing I enjoy more on a cold Alberta night than a good fire, a comfy chair, a wee cup of tea and a stack of new CDs to listen to. This is what I was doing the other night when I discovered this wee gem of a recording by a young man from The Aran Island of Inishere, Ireland. His name is MacDara O'Conaola and the disc is The Love Token.
This is truly one of the loveliest albums that I have heard in years and brings a breath of fresh air to Celtic music. Beautiful songs, simply sung make this a stand out CD, and from toe tappers to lullabies that pull at the old heartstrings, MacDara has it all.
Máire Breatnach and Johnny McDonagh (Dé Dannan and Arcady) along with Bill Shanley (Paul Brady) Danny Byrt, Paul Gunning, Mick O'Brien and MacDara's sister, singer Lasairfhiona help make this debut CD, The Love Token, a treasure to have in any Celtic music collection."
Andy Donnelly in the Calgary Herald

Niamh Parsons has come to be known as one of the most distinctive voices in Irish music. Her voice has drawn comparisons to such venerated singers as Dolores Keane, June Tabor and Sandy Denny. The great Scottish balladeer Archie Fisher said of Niamh, "a songstress like her comes along once or twice in a generation."

It has been said that Niamh Parsons may not be the most famous Irish Balladeer, but many feel she's the best. Described in the Boston Herald as both emotionally haunting and tonally as clear as crystal, Niamh's albums have been 'must-have' collector's items for any lover of songs and singing. Niamh has recorded six studio albums and one live album to date. For the last 7 years, Niamh has been playing in a duet with Ennis-based Graham Dunne-there is a spiritual bond between Niamh and Graham when they perform, which draws out the essence of the songs.

Growing up in Dublin, Niamh's music loving parents brought herself and her sister to the local folk club in The Old Shieling Hotel in Raheny, where the young girls were exposed to songs and singing from the likes of The Johnstons, Emmet Spiceland, Sweeney's Men, Dolly McMahon, Danny Doyle and many of the other musicians and singers that were playing in Folk clubs at that time. "My father was a great singer, and on long journeys the family used to sing in the car-I don't remember a time in my life when I was not singing-I love songs."

Niamh developed this love into a penchant for collecting songs. She is always on the lookout for songs that speak to her-listening to new albums, scouring the Traditional Music Archives in Dublin, sharing notes with a network of friends and other singers. Once she discovers a song she likes, Niamh views herself as the vehicle for the music. "For me the song is more important than listening to my voice," she says. "I consider myself more a songstress than a singer-a carrier of tradition."

Throughout her career, Niamh has performed with a wide variety of artists, and has appeared at nearly every prestigious folk festival on either side of the Atlantic. As a member of the traditional Irish band Arcady (led by De Dannan's Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh), she sang on their Shanachie recording Many Happy Returns. She appeared before President Clinton and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern in Capitol Hill, Washington, joined Grammy Award winner Paul Winter for an album and a summer concert in New York, and performed on "A Prairie Home Companion" when the show broadcast live from Dublin.

Niamh's recording career began with The Loose Connections, a band of top-notch Belfast musicians she formed with songwriter and bass-player Dee Moore. The band recorded two albums of contemporary and traditional material together. Their debut recording, Loosely Connected (Greentrax, 1992) met with the highest of praise. A beautiful mix of traditional Irish and contemporary songs, it featured the memorable "Tinkerman's Daughter" and featured Brian Kennedy, piper John McSherry, guitarist Paul McSherry and a variety of wonderful Belfast musicians.

The Loose Connections' second album, Loosen Up (Green Linnet, 1997) was another buoyant mix of originals and well-chosen contemporary ballads, like Brid Murphy's gorgeous "Clohinne Winds" and Tom Waits' "The Briar and the Rose," a powerful a cappella duet with Fran McPhail of the Voice Squad. Once again the album featured first-class musicians, including guitarist Gavin Ralston, world renowned Saxophone player Ritchie Buckley and Kilkenny accordion player Mick McAuley (now with Solas).

In 1999, Niamh took a bold step and returned to her roots with her first solo album, Blackbirds and Thrushes (Green Linnet) a collection of traditional Irish ballads gathered from over 15 years of Niamh's singing repertoire. In her words, "these songs are living in me." The album won instant acclaim as a welcome return to traditionalism. The Boston Globe declared that it "expressed the sorrow and longing of the Celtic soul more deeply than any within recent memory", and Irish Music Magazine called it "simply magnificent traditional singing."

At this stage, Niamh found her self alone, without a band, and called on the talents of her friend Graham. They formed a strong bond from the outset, and without doubt, he was the perfect foil for her voice.

Keeping in form, Niamh's next CD In My Prime (Green Linnet 2000) was another collection of mostly traditional material, and again received widespread praise. Folk Roots named it one of the top albums of the year and The Irish Voice called the album "a must-have disc for lovers of Irish song." The album was nominated for Album of the Year by BBC Radio 2 (UK) and the Association for Independent Music (US).

Over the next two years Niamh and Graham toured constantly, and Heart's Desire was released in 2002. This album furthers the tradition of Irish song with unadorned settings and heartfelt delivery. She gathered together a collection of songs drawn from both traditional sources and modern writers including Mark Knopfler and Andy Irvine. The talented musicians who play on the album include in addition to her main accompanist, guitarist Graham Dunne, accordionist Josephine Marsh and Dennis Cahill, who produced the CD, and calls it "her best work yet." Heart's Desire is dedicated to the memory of her father, Jack Parsons. "Daddy had a beautiful voice," says Niamh, "and a great ear for a good song."

In September 2005, Niamh and Graham recorded a concert at the Fylde Folk Festival, in the UK, and released this as a live album Live at Fylde which features many favourite of Niamh's traditional songs, all on one album. The Old Simplicity is the latest CD to be released with Graham. Produced by Dennis Cahill again this album contains many relatively recent compositions; songs of hunger, of danger, of death and defeat, and ultimately, of love.

This is a body of work that has proven Niamh Parsons one of the premier vocalists of her time and a keeper of the flame in Irish traditional song.

A fresh enthusiastic group of musicians hungry for performance unleash their amazing talent as the Spanish-Lady Ensemble. The ensemble consists of he harpist and singer Patricia Daly, Paul Phillips bodhran & percussion, Stefano Uberti double bass. Their repertoire, which is highly influenced by the music of the itinerant musicians and the songs of the travelling community, creates a very significant impact on audiences everywhere.

The Spanish-Lady Ensemble highlights the harp as a leading instrument and the members, who are regional, all Ireland, world champions and university graduates are highly diverse and quite versatile in their individual area. Their passion for the craft inspires many of today's aspiring young musicians.

"Allowing her musical vision to find voice - she is digging the ground for the rich vein of sound which her harp releases"…
Micheál Ó Súilleabhain IWMC

Her repertoire links to the music of the aged itinerant travelling harpers of the 16th and 17th centuries and she also touches on the livelier dance music of Ireland/Scotland/England/Wales/Breton and further a field. Her most recent project this year project is a funding raising event in Newry Town Hall for the Southern Area Hospice where Patricia and her harpers open the show with her newly composed piece of work "The Dance of Life".
She is also a regular name tiptoeing through different programmes on both radio and television where she portrays a vibrant enthusiasm for the Irish-harp music and its history. Some of her recent appearances included 'Geantrai' - TG4, 'Musical Traditions' - BBC 2 and Aine Hensey's live radio broadcast RTE.

The Outside Track formed when they were all students at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick, and are quickly earning themselves a reputation as one of the most exciting new bands on the traditional music scene. With a truly diverse line-up, from Scotland, England, Ireland and Canada, they combine music from all their different cultures to form a distinct and dynamic musical sound. Flute, harp, fiddle, guitar, accordion and vocals combine in expressive, energetic arrangements that deliver traditional music with a modern twist. Song repertoire encompasses both classic ballads and contemporary song writing, combining the tradition with fresh new material. Five-part harmony singing sits alongside sparkling new instrumental sets. With an average age below 25 the members of the band may be young, but between them they have performing credentials that many veteran bands could wish for.

Norah Rendell, from Vancouver, began her professional music career as a recorder player with the McGill Baroque Orchestra & the Pacific Baroque Orchestra. A passion for traditional Irish music, via the whistle and the flute, drew her to Ireland. Well known for her rich and soulful singing, Norah is a founding member of a cappella world music group, The No Shit Shirleys, Canadian band, Cleia, and Celtic trio, The Maenads, all of which have toured in Canada.

From Derbyshire, England, Tricia Clark studied classical piano, but at the age of twelve branched out into jazz and took up several other instruments including guitar and bass. Within three years of picking up the fiddle at the age of 14 she was a runner-up in the 'In The Tradition Awards' and semi-finalist in the 2005 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award as one half of duo 'Fotla'. She writes excellent fiddle tunes in the traditional style, and has earned high praise from musicians such as Dezi Donnelly, Joe Rynne and Brid O'Donoghue. She's also got a lovely voice, particularly effective in the band's a cappella harmonies and when working in tandem with Norah.

Ailie Robertson comes from Edinburgh. Brought up with Scottish music, she has a passion for the tradition. Although just 22 years old, she already has some of the most impressive credentials in the Scottish harp world. A 4-time National Mod Gold Medalist, she was also 1st prizewinner at the inaugural London Harp Competition, and best overall musician at the Edinburgh Competition Festival. She played in the Scottish Harp Orchestra, Na Clarsairean for many years, performing with them at two World Harp Congresses - in Seattle and Prague. Now she alternates between her acoustic harp and an eye-catching blue electro-harp which she uses either for delicate melodies or meaty bass lines

Alan Jordan is the only Irish born member of this group, from Co. Mayo. Alan plays guitar, whistles and flute and draws on a wide variety of musical influences including a strong background in Jazz. He's a gentle voiced Gaelic singer and an impressive harmonist.

Fiona Black is the accordion player of the band and comes from Evanton, in the Highlands of Scotland. She studied at The National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music before heading for Limerick for her music degree. She belongs to the SWWBA club (Small Women With Big Accordions). At 19 she's the youngest member of the group, but she's already got a wealth of performing experience.

Formed in Limerick but now operating from Edinburgh as their band 'home' the Outside Track has toured in Scotland and Ireland and in the summer of 2007 makes its first sortie south of the border into England where they'll be playing concerts and festivals including the massive Sidmouth Folk Week, where they play a main stage concert on the Ham with Altan. The Outside Track's debut CD, Tracking, was recorded in late 2006 and is due for release in June 2007 on the UK-based Bedspring label. This lively mixture of fourteen tunes and songs draws from both traditional and contemporary sources with some self written. there are songs from Canada, the USA, Scotland and Ireland and tunes from Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland, England and Galicia The breadth of their work and their obvious talents for arrangement and writing is impressive for a band so young in years but perhaps everything we should expect for a band so talented.