Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
A country band from Cordova Mines has won the right to perform at this year's Havelock Jamboree. The Irelands emerged as the winners of the second annual Regional Country Music Showdown, held Aug 14 and 15.
The showdown featured 21 contestants competing for first, second and third place prizes, the top prize being the coveted appearance at the Havelock jamboree, one of North Americas premier country music festivals.
Guitarist singer and songwriter, Emerson Ireland said the band is hopeful the showdown win and jabmoree appearance will provide a springboard to a successful musical career. We've only been together six months, so maybe this win will get us out of the local area and into other parts of Ontario.
Emerson grew up in a rich musical environment; his grandfather Dan, his father Charles and his uncle Danny and other family members all play, sing and perform. Emerson still plays with Charles in "the Swamp Band", and he names his family as his primary musical influences, along with old country favourites Jimmy Rogers and Hank Williams Sr. and rock legend Neil Young.
"My father, my grandfather and my cousins- all of them have different styles, and they have very ecclectic musical tastes, " Emerson said, noting that the material performed by The Irelands reflects that broad range of musical influences. Daniel, who started singing at age 5 and was influenced by Neil Young, Bob Dylan and The Band, said he is hopeful the jamboree appearance will lead to more exposure for their original material.
Grandfather Dan Ireland, an accomplished musician in his own right, has no doubt about how much talent his grandsons possess. "I don't think they have any idea how far they can go;they are very talented kids, " he said.
"It's just all I can do to keep the buttons on my shirt, I'm so proud of those kids. I've watched them grow, and they've worked hard to get where they are." "They write good stuff, they are serious about their music."
- The Community Press, Western Edition Aug 20 '04
Discography
In the works... The Irelands are planning on heading back into the studio to lay down more tracks, and are applying for a showcase to perform at the CCMA conference in Calgary in Sept. They have a few dates lined up, including an opening spot for Charlie Major in July 05.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Irelands
First impressions? What we see.
They look like well-dressed hillbillies from the 30s. You know
a band youd expect in some backwoods honky-tonk that Bonnie and Clyde might be holed up in. You get the picture.
Next impression? What we hear.
Pure acoustic-driven Roots Country Blues and "new grass". They are gritty and edgy, organic and unprocessed, passionate and dedicated. What more do you want?
Springing Up from their Roots
The Irelands are comprised of close family: brothers Dylan and Daniel, a dedicated friend, who is like a brother, Liam Wilson on Bass and Chris Horsefield on Drums and percussion. The Irelands were weaned on music. Dylan, Daniel grew up watching their fathers on stage with The Swamp Band, a band which began in the sixties and has continued to its present day incarnation .
Natural on stage, as though they were born to it, they offer a genuine respect and gratefulness for their audiences and a great love of music.
Daniel and Dylan trade up the lead vocal spot and share the instrumentation. Daniel and Dylan both play acoustic guitar and Liam, well, he is quite content to play acoustic or electric bass. Their sound is an eclectic mix of feels and stories but they all share a common thread Roots. Music is in their roots and roots is in their music.
Both Irelands write for the project, offering a unique blend and variety not often seen on stage. They hail from Ontarios Northumberland County and have been wowing audiences in that region all this past year, as well as winning a regional talent contest and receiving a coveted spot on stage at Havelock Jamboree in August . From that exposure they were offered a showcase spot at OCPFA in Cambridge for their semi annual awards this past November. Conference organizers, impressed with their unique sound, have already offered future dates to The Irelands. Touring and recording plans are well underway so expect to hear their name a great deal in the coming year. These guys are young and determined and are well on their way up...up from their roots.
Links
