Artist Information
Biography
M�rga, a new Traditional Irish band established this year by four young musicians in Galway, made their festival d�but at the Ballyshannon Folk Festival in August 2008.
Especially influenced by the sound and drive of bands such as De Dannan and Patrick Street, M�rga brings back the sound of the Irish traditional music scene of the seventies. As such, the band is based around the well-known tradition of fiddle and accordion duet, with backing provided by the rarely heard Greek bouzouki, creating rich high-end harmonies, and driven by the bass beat of the bodhran. The four young band members come together, each with their own style, to form a classic accordion, bouzouki, fiddle, and bodhran ensemble that is reminiscent of a fresh traditional sound.
Having headlined along with traditional supergroup Arcady earlier this summer at FarmFest �08 in Athenry, M�rga made their festival d�but in August '08 by opening one of the most long-standing traditional Irish festivals in Ireland, the Ballyshannon Folk Festival, in a triple-bill concert with Dervish and Eleanor Shanley. After recording their debut cd this winter, Morga are set for a 19-date tour of Austria in February 2009, followed by an appearance at the Lille Folk Festival in March '09.
Biographical Notes:
Barry Brady (button accordion)
Born in 1980 in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Barry Brady started playing the accordion at the age of 13. He and his family later moved to Co. Roscommon, where he joined the Irish local music scene. From contacts established through playing at All Ireland Music fleadhanna over the years, Barry has toured France, Austria, Holland, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and America. Brady has experience on the European and and US traditional music circuits having spent 6 months on tour with dance ensemble �Voyages�, a depiction of an Irish American Wake. Barry plays with the Swallow�s Tail C�il� Band and currently, he has joined forces with fellow virtuoso Jonas Fromseier to create M�rga.
Jonas Fromseier (banjo and Greek bouzouki) Originally from Denmark, Jonas took up the banjo at the age of fifteen. He recorded his first CD when he was nineteen with Danish-Irish band Trad Lads. In 2005 Jonas moved to Galway to pursue a musical career and has been playing professionally since. His influences are banjo players such as Kevin Griffin, Brian McGrath, and Mike Flanagan of the Flanagan Brothers. He's also interested in jazz banjo styles such as ragtime. He took up the Greek bouzouki as a backing instrument inspired by Alec Finn and Mick Conneely's playing. Jonas also plays in the third incarnation of Arcady.
Dominic Keogh (bodhran)
A Bodhran player from Kilmovee in County Mayo, a place full of, and surrounded by music. He was originally taught by junior Davey and played for many years around the neighbouring areas with local musicians such as Peter Horan, before moving to Galway city and becoming involved in the music scene there, meeting and becoming influenced by great bodhran players such as Johnny 'Ringo' Mcdonagh, and Paddy Kerr.
Danny Diamond (fiddle)
Danny is a young Dublin-based fiddler player who comes from a rich musical background with a strong Northern influence- his parents, Dermot and Tara are well-known for their music, as is Tara's brother Terry Bingham. Danny is a Dublin-based fiddler player who comes from a rich musical background- his parents, Dermot and Tara are well-known for their music, as is Tara's father, Leslie Bingham. During his teens, Danny was taught the fiddle by Paul O'Saughnessy, formerly of Altan. He has played at numerous folk/traditional Irish music festivals over the years, including: Willie Clancy Summer School, Feakle Traditional Music Festival (Clare), the Glencolmcille Fiddle week and Frankie Kennedy Winter School (Donegal), the Cork Folk Festival, the Temple Bar Trad Festival. He plays regularly in sessions in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland. He is currently employed by the Irish Traditional Music Archive, working mainly on their 78 rpm record collection.
Instrumentation
Barry Brady: button accordion
Jonas Fromseier: Greek bouzouki, banjo
Danny Diamond: fiddle
Dominic Keogh: bodhran
Discography
M�rga - M�rga (2009) Pug Records
Video
Setlist
M�rga
Sample Set List
1) Barndances to reels
Dances at Kinvara
James Byrne's
Mrs. McDonald's
John Doherty's
The Yellow Cow
2) Jigs
Ride A Mile
Elizabeth Kelly's
Cliffs of Moher
3) Polkas
Biddy Martins
Ger The RIgger
4) Reels
Dublin
Sean Sa Cheo
Jack Rowe's
5) Barry solo
6) Jigs
James MacMahon's
Gold RIng
Orphan
7) Hornpipes
Galway Bay
Mulqueeny's
8) Danny solo
9) Jonas solo
10) Slides
11) Hornpipe into reels
Return from Fingal
Drogheda Lasses
Trim the Velvet
12) Reels
McDermott's
Charlie Lennon's
Tommy Peoples'
