cua have announced a return to the UK in April for a string of dates to promote a new album due for release in February.
Like many others, the three-piece, who had been attracting a lot of attention before the pandemic struck, had to pull the plug on touring, just as they began to pick up glowing live reviews from their last run of dates in Scotland, England and Wales.
They have been back in the studios working on new material and say the next album is likely to feature nine new tracks.
Each of the band contributes to the writing – a process which they say, been “great fun” despite Covid restrictions which brought challenges that were overcome by many hours of file sharing and experimentation.
Two of the new tracks, ‘The Guiser’s Fancy’ and ‘Sunrise,’ have already been issued as teasers ahead of the album’s eventual release and the latest, entitled ‘No Sequel,’ has just been released.
When asked to choose a piece to be shot in the stunning grounds of The Rock of Dunamase Castle and Heywood Gardens, the band decided there was only one song from their catalogue that would be fitting – ‘Kings and Queens’, which featured on their 2017 album, ‘Songs of The Hollow’, reviewed here.
Set in the beautiful County Laois, slap bang in the middle of Ireland, where they are based, not only does the music conjure up images of a medieval court, but the lyrics, they say, remind us of the ongoing repetition of history and the greed of the rich and powerful.
“A modern-day folk revival that echoes the anti-war sentiments of many songs and stories that have gone before and will come again, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Fortunate Son,’ they say.
“It’s a song of rebellion and unfortunate outcomes that was written during the Arab uprisings, where families, entire communities and whole cities were destroyed whilst the ruling elite carried on as if nothing was happening!”
If cua are not on your radar, then they should be.
Cua Live Dates for 2022
APRIL
Fri 8: Birnam Arts Centre, Perthshire
Sat 9: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
Sun 10: Private Function
Mon 11: Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan
Tues 12: Old Ship Inn, Lowdham, Notts
Wed 13: Café No 8, Sheffield
Thurs 14: Pump House, Louth, Lincs
Fri 15: The Ropewalk, Barton-upon-Humber
Sat 16: Square & Compass, Worth Matravers
Sun 17: Square & Compass, Worth Matravers
Tues 19: Green Note @ Aces & Eights, Tufnell Park, London
Wed 20: AVAILABLE
Thurs 21: Fishery Wharf, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead
Fri 22: Grayshott Village Hall, Grayshott, Surrey
Sat 23: King’s Somborne Village Hall
Sun 24: Whitstable Sessions, Kent
More here: https://www.cuamusic.com