Trad meets metal in Lorrha
Musical duo with a difference at Friars Taven
Traditional music from around the world will fuse with a rock and metal background as two touring musicians bring a gig with a difference to the Friars Taven in Lorrha next week.
Rennie Pearson and Lúan are bringing their show to the village after becoming friends with members of local band Bog Bodies (Dan Maher, Pio Maher and Ciara O'Donnell), with whom they share a passion for blending old and new styles of music. The musicians met at the Hill of Uisneach Bealtaine Fire Festival, and a kindred bond was formed.
“They already knew who I was, even though we hadn’t met before,” Rennie said of Bog Bodies. “We ended up playing around the fire at the top of the hill there and just had a great connection.”
Hailing from New Zealand, he has never been to Lorrha before but is looking forward to visiting the village and its many historical sites. He has spent his life learning how to play various types of traditional Celtic music on wooden flute, whistles, fiddle, guitar and bodhrán. At the age of 19 he went to live in a village on the east coast of Canada and studied maritime music with a wooden flute master.
On coming to Ireland, Rennie met with Galway man Ciarán de Búrca (Lúan), a folk musician who brings together traditional influences playing the bouzouki and singing. “He comes from a metal background,” Rennie said. “He was playing in a lot of ‘as Gaeilge’ metal bands, singing in Irish and playing bouzouki and much heavier stuff.”
‘INTIMATE CONCERT’
Rennie and Lúan will be joined by local man Liam Tierney for a few tunes when they bring their eclectic mix to Lorrha. They’ll be talking about the songs as well as performing them, and Rennie said the show will appeal to anyone who shares their key influences, which include Martin Hayes, Denis Cahill, Ye Vagabonds, Daoirí Farrell, Dónal Lunny and Matt Molloy.
“People can expect an intimate concert that follows the stories behind the tunes as well. It’s going to be intricate arrangements – you’re really going to hear the delicacy of the music.”
He said the show has been warmly received everywhere he has played so far, people often fascinated to witness the New Zealander’s interpretation of traditional Irish music.
“The overwhelming response has been that people are absolutely stoked and so excited to hear somebody from so far away playing their music.”
Videos of Rennie and Lúan performing together can be watched on You Tube. They will bring their tour to the Shed at the Friars Tavern on Thursday, September 17, at 8pm. Tickets are available via Humanitix.