Hounds of Finn
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"Beating their Irish drum — or bodhran, to be exact — right on time to kick off the Paddy’s Day rush, the Hounds of Finn continue their ascent as some of the Twin Cities’ finest purveyors of Celtic roots music. The quartet’s second full-length album, “Gravity Pulls,” boasts elegant fiddle and mandolin parts around the heartstring-pulling original tunes of Belfast-reared singer Leslie Rich and his American compatriot, Pete McCauley. Their release party benefits the Emergency Foodshelf Network and features young folk-rock upstarts Reina del Cid & the Cidizens." (9 p.m. Fri., Crooked Pint, $10.) Riemenschneider - Star Tribune, Minneapolis MN
IRONWOOD - Hundreds of people turned out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a traditional celtic folk-rock band at the Historic Ironwood Theatre.
Hounds of Finn kept toes tapping and hands clapping all night on Saturday. This was the second time that the group has performed at the theatre.
"It's really great to be back," Pete McCauley, band member, said. "This is one of the best venues I have ever played in, in my entire life."
The band played originally at the theatre last October, after meeting with Vic Calore, programming committee member.
The group performed classic celtic songs, as well as original tunes. Before they played, the group told stories about how the original songs came to be, or how they found the original celtic folk songs.
"It's very rare that we get to play on such an incredibly cool stage, in front of incredibly cool people," McCauley said.
McCauley even stopped the show briefly to create a video on his iPhone to send to Facebook. He mentioned where the group was playing, panned the video around the crowd, and told the group's Facebook fans that they should be here.
"We are so thrilled to be here, and we hope that you will have us back," McCauley said.
To help the band create their next album, entitled "Us Four and No More," the band asked audience members to head to kickstarter.com to purchase an advanced copy of the album. "When you purchase it in advance, the funds help us create the album," McCauley said. "We're looking to raise $6,000, so not a huge, huge amount of money, but every little bit helps.
As for the show, Calore said he hopes they'll be back for a third time. "We just hope that the people from Ironwood have enjoyed them as much as their fans in Minneapolis,' Calore said. "This was festive with the Celtic spirit and everyone wearing their green, drinking Guinness and having a wonderful time."
By CORTNEY OFSTAD
cofstad@yourdailyglobe.com - Daily Globe, Ironwood MI, 3-19-2012
This has to be the freshest sound I've heard in a while. Imagine Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa collaborating on a hip-hop influenced CD. Yeah, you heard me. And although I have some issues with white guys rapping (reminds me of Vanilla Ice, shudder – to me the Beastie Boys are the only crackers who seem to pull it off), there's wicked fun to be had here. Pete McCauley on guitar knows the fretboard like the back of his hand (which is kinda funny, since that's what he'd see when he plays, but I digress), bassist Mike Mehsikomer cuts a deep enough groove to plant crops in, and drummer Chris Weinberger keeps time like a Swiss watch. Moods swing in and out here, "Build Your Temples" has a reggae slant to it, while a cut like "Dig You Out" is a ripping hip-hop funk fest. "Beanbag Chair" uses Latin rhythm, and hearing the boys sing "In my beanbag chair" is too much fun. Not bad for three lads out of Minnesota. www.eddiemac.com
- NYrock - http://www.nyrock.com/streetbeat/0400.asp#eleven
Discography
“Gravity Pulls” (CD, 2013): The new CD from Hounds of Finn, arrived March 1, 2013 on New Folk Records. The much-anticipated follow-up to 2010's Songs of Men in Boats features 11 newly-recorded tracks, including original songs “Ocean,” “Twenty Demons,” and the title track, “Gravity Pulls. The record was funded by the generous support of fans through Kickstarter.com and was produced by David Kellogg & Hounds of Finn for New Folk Records.
"Colorado!" (EP 2012): This EP was released just before the Hounds’ return to the Colorado Irish Festival in Denver in July of 2012. The band wrote and recorded the title track to commemorate Michelle’s return to her home town of Denver and celebrate the warm welcome & reception the band received from festival goers in 2011 and 2012.
"Drink Like You Care" (Single 2012): In early 2012 the band wrote and recorded a jingle for Finnegan’s Irish Amber Ale, a non-profit beer company based in Minneapolis. Using the beer company's slogan, the song serves to enhance the brand and will be featured on TV and radio spots for the beer in 2013. The track was featured on the Twin Cities Celtic Music Showcase compilation CD, released for the annual benefit concert of the same name that takes place around St. Patrick’s Day and sponsored by Finnegan’s.
“Live at the Celtic Junction” (DVD 2011): A live performance was recorded in November of 2010 and released early the next year. The DVD features live performances of many of the songs on the “Men in Boats” CD, as well as new material.
"Songs of Men in Boats" (CD 2010): The Hounds released their first full-length CD on New Folk Records in July 2010. With 12 tracks, the CD consists of several traditional songs and reels, as well as some original material – in addition to a Steve Earle cover.
"Breakfast in Belfast" (EP 2009): The very first disc was a five-track EP that featured "Arms as Warm as These" in its first incarnation, anong with some other tracks, most of which were re-recorded and added to Songs of Men in Boats in 2010.
The Hounds’ music has been getting radio play on Internet radio stations around the world, as well as several broadcast outlets around the US. For radio and distribution information, please contact Ken Onstad at New Folk Records:
New Folk Records
13715 Rhode Island Ave South
Savage, MN 55378
952-855-4256
www.newfolkrecords.com
Photos
Bio
The Hounds of Finn is a high-energy folk-rock group forged from the roots of Celtic and American traditions. Based in St. Paul, MN, the Hounds perform both original and standard material inspired by Celtic, Americana, Bluegrass, and folk/roots music from around the world; topped off with a sprinkling of traditional Irish and Scottish tunes.
The Hounds have been performing together since 2007 and have produced three CDs and a live performance DVD.
"Gravity Pulls" - the new full-length CD funded through Kickstarter.com - is finished and being shipped to retailers right now!
The band signed with Twin-Cities based record label New Folk in 2010, and is distributed in North America through Allegro.
The Hounds of Finn consists of four primary members, with guest musicians often featured on recordings and on stage.
Leslie Rich (vocals, guitar, bouzouki): Leslie is a singer/songwriter originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he released two albums on Immortal Recordings (Ire): Geeklove and The Written Lie. In 2004 he became a permanent resident of Minneapolis, where he met Pete McCauley and began a creative partnership. The primary songwriter for the Hounds, Leslie also composes material for side projects when he finds the time.
Michelle MacGregor (fiddle): Michelle plays fiddle with attitude, steeped in Scottish and Irish traditions. A transplant to the northern tundra from the mountains of Colorado, she has toured and performed under various guises, from Contra and Ceilidh dance bands to Celtic pirate punk rock. Having recorded with WOAD (2000) and the Potcheen Folk Band (2004), she regularly contributes original compositions to the Hounds repertoire.
Pete McCauley (vocals, mandolin, guitar): Pete has played in numerous bands over the years. A founding member and the original guitarist for the rock trio Eddie Mac, he spent a few years traveling the country, earned a record contract with SPV Records in Germany, and released two albums with the independent label Mud Hut Records. Pete also writes material for the Hounds. After a few cameos with Leslies band, in 2007 Pete suggested they learn some Irish songs and play at the local pub.
David Draeger (bodhran, percussion): Touted as the master of the singing bodhran, Dave comes to the Hounds by way of the renowned Irish Brigade. His claim to fame is his talent for extracting a wonderful range of timbres from such a simple instrument. Dave also graces us with his proficiency at the spoons, a traditional percussion instrument played and heard around the world.
The Hounds of Finn share a passion for performing, creating, and exploring music. As an ensemble, we are driven to advance to the next professional level. For us, that means performing more concerts and festivals. Ideologically, we seek to bridge the gap between Celtic folk music and modern pop rock. Together we are a mix of musicians steeped in tradition but possessing highly developed rock and pop sensibilities. We see ourselves reaching out to audiences across genres, expanding minds, and generating excitement about the roots of the music that inspires us.
BOOKING HIGHLIGHTS:
Minnesota Irish Fair, LaCrosse Irish Fest, Colorado Irish Festival, Historic Ironwood Theatre, Rhythm of the River Festival, Summer Tuesdays concert series, Cedar Cultural Center, Fine Line Music Cafe (and many more).
Band Members
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