News Articles

Pioneers & New Frontiers

Every Decade Produces A Ground-Breaking Act That Just Can’t Be Ignored. Eddie Creaney Talks To Belfast-Based Ensemble At First Light About Exciting Times And The Recipe For Success.

Ok. So the Irish bug has bitten. The Japanese love Riverdance. In Mexico they organise fleadhs. Even the Czechs are dedicating drinking festivals to the tune of Molly This and Finbar That. And Heaven forbid I would ever suggest that any old mucker from Mullingar or Magherafelt can purchase a bodhrán or low whistle and take the essence of the auld country abroad, and make mucho Euro on the way. Cynical? Well maybe just a tad. But with so many new bands emerging in the Irish Trad world it seems to be getting harder and harder to keep tabs on who’s who and what’s what. And this is where the gripe lies. Now I’m all in favour of everyone having their slice of the pie, and I’m very keen on supporting those who toil and weave their craft year after year, credit where it’s due. But there are rising stars out there that are really making things happen, and most of us don’t know it. Genre-changing, fresh, exciting new acts. Bands that are pioneering the new scene, just as Planxty did in the 70’s, Stockton’s Wing in the 80’s and Four Men And A Dog in the 90’s. And one of the bands most likely to take top spot for the new decade? Well, my pick, for what it’s worth, is Belfast-based five-piece At First Light.

The line-up suggests nothing less than artistic genius. And most of you will be familiar with the names. Dónal O'Connor (Fiddle, Keyboards), John McSherry (Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistles), Francis McIlduff (Bodhrán, Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistles), Alan Burke (Guitar, Vocals) and Rubén Bada (Bouzouki, Guitar, Fiddle). The history of the band stems from the association with flute-master Mike McGoldrick when in 2001 he partnered with John McSherry to produce the award-winning album in which the band took its name. At First Light, the album, proved to be a success. Tours followed and reviews were raved. McGoldrick, realising his overwhelming commitments, then stepped back from the project allowing McSherry to eventually create the current line-up. 2006, and the much awaited release of Tripswitch followed. Again an album of immense energy that turned many heads. Tunes such as Rose In The Gap and Spanish 5’s proved that the boys had created something special, with a new take on old tunes and Asturian and Breton flavours courtesy of Bada and guitarist Gilles Le Bigot. Both albums, and the proceeding tours, included key contributions from other outstanding players such as Dezi Donnelly, Manus Lunny, Ed Boyd, Paul McSherry, Andrew White, Aidan O’Rourke, Ewen Vernal, Donald Shaw and Tony Byrne.

And so to the present. The band has had a busy schedule with promoting the Tripswitch album, which has been picked up by Compass in the States, and touring has allowed the lads to spread their wings in Ireland, the UK, Spain, Denmark and the Czech Republic. And, as fiddle master Dónal O'Connor explains, the former Eastern Block country was a real surprise. “We played the Hudba and Zahrada festivals in the Czech Republic. They were fantastic experiences in front of over 10,000 people at a time. We had no idea that Irish Trad would go down so well, but it did. The response from the crowd was electric.” And the son of renowned musician Gerry “Fiddle” O’Connor and singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin is the first to admit that the challenge is there to be conquered. “When you get involved with the likes of John McSherry and Francis McIlduff you need to be sure you’re always on form. But everything seems to have taken a natural course with the band, an almost organic direction. Working with the boys on stage and in the studio is something special, very challenging, but very rewarding.” Absolutely. And O’Connor is no slouch himself. Described as one of the most outstanding fiddle players of his generation Dónal had already toured extensively across Europe and North America prior to his days with At First Light, most notably with Lá Lugh. And these days he’s just as likely to be multi-tasking, producing albums for other artists, or working for the BBC in Belfast. “I recently presented a 10-part music series, An Stuif Ceart, which included an eclectic mix of talent with such leading lights as John Prine and Henry McCullough next to the cream of Irish talent” says O’Connor. “As an Irish language programme it was strange to cover music not of the Trad genre, but it was interesting, fun, almost surreal at times. Great craic.”

O’Connor’s colleagues seem to be equally as busy with their own projects. But it’s with At First Light that most of their creative energy is being directed. Working on a live album at present, the lads are aiming for a new CD release in the next couple of months. A collection of recordings from a handful of recent shows are due to be rushed to the mastering suite. “Fingers crossed we’ll get something special” says O’Connor. “And the plan is to get about seven or eight tunes and around five songs.” Singer and Guitarist Alan Burke, who previously fronted the band After Hours, has been a recent acquisition to the line-up. “We missed the vocal dynamic on stage” continues Dónal, “And Alan was an old friend whose singing talent is well known around Belfast. So it seemed natural to bring him on board.” Indeed. And it should be interesting to see how he produces when there’s such prestigious backing, so no pressure Alan.

And it’s that prestigious backing that has the potential to create an epic piece of recorded material. John McSherry, hailed as a true master of the Uilleann Pipes by all and sundry, shouldn’t disappoint. The former Tamalin, Lunasa and Coolfin member, who has made a colossal impact in the Trad world for many years, could now be at his musical apex, and what a prospect that is. On the album Tripswitch his work with the pipes were nothing short of spectacular. And expect more of the same from the man who at the age of eighteen was the youngest ever winner of the senior 'Oireachtas' piping competition. On stage, John’s partner in crime is Francis McIlduff, he of the talented and well-respected McPeake family. The two piper geniuses are lightening fast and absolutely on the button when they play together. Truth be told, when the pipes are exchanged for the low whistles, the two musicians are equally at home.

Completing an already outstanding line-up, and with an impressive CV of his own, is Asturian multi-instrumentalist Rubén Bada. Bringing his Bouzouki, Guitar and Fiddle expertise to the band has been a shrewd move. Not simply for his obvious talent, but also for the rich and potent resonance of the Asturian style. And the music of his homeland brings an astonishing dynamic to the band. Lovers of Trad music should check this out. It’s vibrant, warm and to a welcome extent, a curio. Vive la difference.

And once the album hits the shelves there’s no resting on their laurels, with a lengthy tour being planned initially for the Northern and Border counties in January and February, certain to be followed by dates abroad. The shows are sure to be special, given the unique approach and exceptional flair brought to the stage by the five performers. It really is high octane, belly-busting stuff and is not to be missed.

At First Light are surely one of those special pioneering acts who push the boundaries and redraw the map. And that can’t be a bad thing. For five very experienced and knowledgeable artists at the peak of their creativity, the future looks bright. And given that we are witnessing the birth of something special, something exciting and exceptionally vigorous, we would be wise to take heed.

For tour dates, album sales and latest news check out At First Light online at www.atfirstlight.net.

Eddie Creaney
eddiecreaney@hotmail.com