Ispíní na hÉireann is an Irish trad and punk band based in Dublin.[1] Guitarist Tomás Mulligan and banjo player Adam J. Holohan decided to form the band after touring in Slovakia in 2017,[2] and they were joined by Aongus Mac Amhlaigh (cello), Pádraig Óg Mac Aodhagháin (uilleann pipes) and Kinko Ceallaigh (bodhrán) the following January.[3][4] The band's name in Irish means "Sausages of Ireland" in English, chosen by Mulligan and Holohan "because we are the slippiest, greasiest dogs going".[2]
Ispíní na hÉireannn | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | |
| Discography |
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| Years active | 2018–present |
| Members |
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| Website | sausagesofireland.com |
Emerging from a neo-traditional movement centred on The Cobblestone pub in Dublin,[1] they have played at festivals including All Together Now, Electric Picnic,[5] and Otherside Festival.[4]
Reception
editHot Press magazine characterised the band's relationship with the Irish folk tradition as "satirical", and their performances as "raucous", "memorable", and of "infectious energy".[5]
Comparing them to contemporary acts Lankum and Ye Vagabonds, the Headstuff podcast site described the band as "a less subtle approach that blends heritage and tradition with light-hearted, irreverent comedy", and said their comedic approach set them apart from similar acts, though their "musical skill forms a solid skeleton to support the comedy flesh".[1]
Writing in The Irish Times newspaper, Una Mullally described their debut album The Hard Working Men (2022) as "a rambunctious approach that can lean towards laughs before pulling back to demonstrate their musical talents".[4]
Their follow-up EP Worse than Dying was a change of emphasis, described by Riley Glaister-Ryder of Hot Press as "taking Irish tradition to soaring heights".[3]
Discography
edit- The Hard Working Men (2022)
- Worse Things Than Dying (2023)
See also
edit- The Mary Wallopers, a contemporary Irish trad/punk act
References
edit- ^ a b c Mac Aoidh, Will (7 November 2022). "Album Review - Ispíní Na HÉireann Blend Skillful Instrumentation And Irreverent Comedy On A Rambunctious Debut". headstuff.org.
- ^ a b "Behind the music - Ispíní na Éireann". rte.ie. 31 October 2022.
- ^ a b Glaister-Ryder, Riley (4 December 2023). "Ispíní na hÉireann share new EP, Worse Things Than Dying". hotpress.com.
- ^ a b c Mullally, Una (24 June 2024). "Ispíní na hÉireann: 'We're f**king things up with trad and making our own sounds'". irishtimes.com.
- ^ a b Sewell, Piper (14 August 2023). "Ispíní Na hEireann and Scustin to play free gig in Bray". hotpress.com.