Le Cheile 2004

Kíla

Originating over thirteen years ago on the streets of Dublin, Kíla have developed from a buskers collective to become one of Ireland's most innovative and creative bands. The street origins of the band and their unique ability to absorb other musical influences are reflected in the music they play. It has given rise to an essentially traditional line up (the seven piece play a variety of instruments including whistles, fiddles, pipes as well as brass and woodwind and the more electric end of the spectrum) infused with a modern urban consciousness.

The rhythms in the music and resulting dance elements ensure intense and ferociously energetic concerts. Their music was described in Folk Roots as "swirling neo-celtic dance music based on traditional modes and idioms but with a hypnotic percussive undercurrent". Such an attitude has lead to huge acclaim, not only at home but also around the world - especially in Spain, the US and Australia. It has also produced a string of superb albums (Handel's Fantasy, Mind The Gap, Tóg é Go Bog é, Lemonade & Buns all of which went gold in Ireland. May 2003 saw the release of their latest offering, Luna Park. Entering the Irish charts at 15th position this album is likely to be their most sucessful to date and offers Kíla a stepping stone to a wider world market as it has been release in eight territories to date. (Ireland, America, Spain, Japan, Australia, UK, France and the Benelux).

Kíla have played in over 20 countries throughout the world, at festivals and venues, most noteable in recent years include Womadelaide, Womad Reading, Glastonbury Festival, Witness Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Stockholm Water Festival, and the Opening Ceremony Special Olympics Ireland 2003.

The band's material (all original but with more than a passing nod to the tradition) is a mix of freewheeling instrumentals, lilting airs, furious jigs & reels and memorable songs - the majority of which are sung in Irish. They are fast becoming Ireland's leading 'World Music' band. Their unique style has attracted attention within the Film and Television arena also.

Kíla have been involved in composing, arranging and producing music for Films including; 'Gold in the Streets', 'Silent Grace' and the documentries: 'Seven Days' and 'Hidden Treasures'. In 2001 They composed the sound track for the London West End musical Monkey! and subsequently released an album of the same name.

They have provided music for many short films in the past year, 'Fallen into Half Angel', 'A Ferret Called Mickey', and 'Olive' to name but a few. Kíla have just provided music for the upcoming Granada TV series 'Big Wow Wow', from BAFTA award winning director Derbhla Walsh, which will be aired in 2004 on RTE 1.

Kíla beat of competition from De Dannan, Altan, Chieftains and Sharon Shannon to pick up the IRMA Meteor Award (Irish Music Industry Awards) for best Trad Act. The award acknowledged their superb live performances as much as their recordings. Kíla shows are known for their vibrancy, colour, lighting and stage design with the occasional trapeze artist and fire juggler adding to the carnival atmosphere. Kíla won the acclaim of the public to pick up the Hot Press Readers Poll Best Trad/Folk act in 2002, along with being nomiated for a meteor award again.

Made up of two sets of brothers Kíla consists of; Ronan Ó Snodaigh on bodhran, djembe, congas, bongos, guitar and vocals; Rossa Ó Snodaigh on tin whistle, low whistle, clarinet, bodhran, congas, djembe, percussion and vocals; Colm Ó Snodaigh on flute, tin whistle, guitar, djembe, percussion and vocals; Lance Hogan on guitar, drums, djembe, percussion, bass and vocals; Brian Hogan on bass, double bass, guitar, mandolin, drums and vocals; Dee Armstrong on fiddle, viola, hammered dulcimer, accordion, bodhrán. Eoin Dillon on uileann pipes, tin whistle, low whistle, shakers and vocals.

Further details available from the official Kila Website

 

Kila will be playing on Saturday 31st July at 11:45 pm in Crean's