The Rua: Essence of a group

Alanna, Roseanna, and Jonathan Brown

Alanna, Roseanna, and Jonathan Brown

Today at the Music Room, we did not talk to one artist. We talked to three.

Alanna, Roseanna, and Jonathan Brown, living in Windsor, London, are here in NY on their third visit to the US, after their performance at the NYC CMJ festival last October. Their group’s name The Rua, comes from the Hebrew word “ruah” meaning “essence of a group,” and the Irish word “rua” or “red.” Given the siblings’ Celtic roots and soaring melodies on the violin, this choice seems very appropriate.

That being said, The Rua is best known for their percussive guitar style, rock genre, and thematic lyrics.

Although the siblings have fairly distinct roles, with Alanna on piano, Roseanna providing vocals, and Jonathan playing the violin and fiddle, all three are familiar with various musical disciplines, and consequently are attentive to each others’ individual parts…a very useful advantage when co-writing songs.

They have also collaborated with Nigel Harrison, a bass player from London, and Portishead drummer Clive Dreamer, and this December at France’s RFM Studios, broadcasted an acoustic version of their song “Without You” from their Essence album of last fall, a version that has apparently never been replayed…until now.

The Browns also discussed learning curves during their career, their tour in Rome, the importance of music education, their role in the Harry Potter movies, and ginger stereotypes.

The Interview

The Rua
(Recorded live 03/03/15; host: Mandorichard), 31:35, 30.3 MB.

The Music

The following music is heard in this episode of The Music Room:

  • Artist / Song / Album (or note) / Date / Notes
  • The Rua / Into the Crowd / Essence / 2014
  • The Rua / Without You / Live on RFM, Paris, France, 12.5.14 / 2014
  • The Rua / Fight for What’s Right / Essence / 2014

Solas: Shamrock City

Séamus Egan plays with Solas in Healy, Alaska, February 16, 2011.

Séamus Egan plays with Solas in Healy, Alaska, February 16, 2011. Photo by James Krall, San Juan Photo Arts

Seamus Egan leads the Celtic music band Solas with impressive skills in a wide range of instruments, including the flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, low whistle, guitars, and bodhran (an Irish frame drum). The band has made a variety of music, from their own original songs, covers of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits, and original arrangements of age-old tunes. With eleven albums already released, Solas has gained quite a bit of critical acclaim, being called “Irish America’s most influential band” by NPR.

Seamus has come to The Music Room to discuss Solas’ newest project, Shamrock City, which tells the story of thousands of immigrants who came to America during the Industrial Revolution through the eyes of  Egan’s great-great uncle Micheal Conway, who  left his home in Co. Mayo, Ireland for the copper mines in Butte, Montana, aka Shamrock City (named so for the influx of Irish immigrants). We also touch upon how much of American folk music comes from the music of Irish and Scottish immigrants while we discuss two tracks from Shamrock City, Tell God and the Devil and Lay Your Money Down.

However, Shamrock City isn’t just an album. The Shamrock City live show is an interactive multi-media stage show that features stories from and projected images of Butte, Montana, and was meant to create a unique experience for audiences as they experienced the life and hardships of Micheal Conway.

Solas is not new to the realm of socially conscious music, and Shamrock City isn’t going to shy away from current issues. From their website:

With the Shamrock City project and current tour, Solas seeks to reach beyond the music by creating opportunities for fans to share their family histories at tour stops and online. In the process, the project aims to create a more meaningful and open dialogue about many of the issues we face in today’s America.

You can find the band’s website, complete with a list of upcoming shows for Shamrock City, here.

solas1

The Interview

Seamus Egan (Solas) (Recorded 2/26/14; original broadcast date: 3/4/14; host: Mandorichard). 28:02, 26.9 MB. Due to copyright restrictions, the podcast version contains only an excerpt of “Hugo’s Big Reel.”

The interview will re-air on WVUD during the Green Willow, on Wed 3/12/14 at about 7:30 pm.

The Music

The following music is heard in this episode of The Music Room:

  • Artist / Song / Album (or note) / Label (or source) / Date / Notes
  • Solas / Hugo’s Big Reel / The Turning Tide / Compass / 2010 / EXCERPT IN PODCAST
  • Solas / Tell God and the Devil / Shamrock City / self / 2013
  • Solas / Lay Your Money Down / Shamrock City / self / 2013