The harp has featured more prominently on my musical horizon of late with the likes of Catriona McKay‘s Love in Secret and then more recently via London-based experimental harpist Maria-Christina Harper and Hairetis Harper, her duo project with Cretian Lute player and vocalist Yiagos Hairetis.
Whether the stars have serendipitously aligned or the harp is enjoying something of a contemporary revival I have no idea but each new revelation has increased my respect for both the seemingly unlimitless bounds of the instrument and those exponents responsible for taking it into more contemporary and experimental realms.
The latest to do so is BRÍDÍN, a West Co. Sligo native who carries on the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family. Her talents don’t stop there…for she also plays flute, piano, and dances sean nós – another field we have recently enjoyed more of via the likes of Preab Meadar and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin & Ultan O’Brien.
Her love of music lead her to pursue a musical career, having studied music at University College Cork achieving a Degree and Masters in Music and Performance.
BRÍDÍN has developed her own style influenced by her natural surroundings and rooted in her background in traditional Irish music. Her forthcoming contemporary folk EP titled ‘Ocean of Stars’ is due February 24th 2021. It will consist of five tracks, ‘Wysteria’, ‘Floating’, ‘North West’, ‘Ocean of Stars’ and ‘The Salmon’s Tale ft. Colm Mac Con Iomaire’.
Speaking about the title track, Brídín says: “I wrote Ocean of Stars when I decided to move back home to county Sligo. I remember sitting on the beach one night in Enniscrone, mesmerised by how many stars I could see and the effect that moment had on me. The ocean, the stars, the mountains and the peace.
I feel a strong pull to nature and my beautiful surroundings in Sligo when I’m composing my pieces. I’m fascinated by the beginning and ending of life and the constant movement of nature. That’s where I draw most of my inspiration from.”
On the title track, BRÍDÍN has shared a beautiful accompanying video featuring Ellie Burke who both choreographed and performs a mesmerising interpretative dance on Dunmoran Strand in Sligo at night.
BRÍDÍN uses her loop and effect pedals to create her musical pieces. Her layered melodies on harp and voice blend beautifully with contrapuntal fiddle (Clare Sands), electric guitar (Jake Curran) and bass (Jack Selby-Smith), woven together with pulsating drums and percussion (Paul Leonard).
Buy or Stream the track via Bandcamp: https://bridin.bandcamp.com/track/ocean-of-stars
or Spotify.