Northern Ireland based five-piece traditional Irish band Connla recently released their debut album River Waiting. The band began making sizeable waves on the folk music scene last year with the release of their EP but their new album takes it all to a new level with eight of the twelve tracks being self-penned; the perfect showcase of their ability to create sensitive arrangements which, whilst steeped in the tradition, have a strong creative core that makes their music sound, fresh, exciting and engaging.
Ciara McCafferty has already become a noted vocalist appearing on Dallahan’s latest album Matter of Time. As they said in our Artist of the Month interview in April “when we heard Ciara’s singing on Connla’s CD, we instantly knew the job was hers!”
Alongside Ciara is the magnificent Emer Mallon on harp, Connor Mallon on uilleann pipes, Paul Starrett on acoustic / classical and bass guitar and Ciaran Carlin on flute and whistles – a ground-breaking band in the making.
Watch their latest video for Daily Growing below:
Connla are touring the UK in September / October, see tour dates below.
Connla UK Tour Dates
23rd Sept – Grayshott – Grayshott Folk Club
24th Sept – Worth Matravers – Square & Compass
25th Sept – Worth Matravers – Square & Compass
27th Sept – London – The Green Note
28th Sept – Essex – TBA
29th Sept – N.Yorkshire – Reeth Memorial Hall
30th Sept – Carlisle – Folk & Blues Club
1st Oct – St Andrews – The Byre Theatre
3rd Oct – Edinburgh – Traverse Theatre Bar
4th Oct – Kilbrachan – TBA
5th Oct – Southport – Grateful Fred’s @ Atkinson Theatre
6th Oct – Kirkclady – Acoustic Music Club
7th Oct – Peebles – Eastgate Theatre
8th Oct – Seahouses – St Cuthbert’s Hall
9th Oct – Irvine – Harbour Arts Centre
Order River Waiting via Bandcamp here: connla.bandcamp.com