beoga Updated June 2009

Since the birth of Beoga in 2002, it has expanded the vocabulary of Irish Music with a unique accent of its own. Wall Street Journal dubs them “the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.” Irish Music Magazine writes “In Beoga, the Irish music world found another prodigy… madcap genius, master craftsmen.” Their distinctive sound is described by New York’s Irish Echo as “a heady, virtually head-spinning sonic blend, stamping Beoga as perhaps the most audacious Irish band rooted in trad today.” The Irish American News lauds the “energy, drive, intelligent creativity, wit and real musicianship” declaring, “this is the freshest take on the tradition,” and the Boston Globe ranks Beoga “as innovative as Celtic music mavericks Solas and Lunasa,” In short, Beoga have become one of the most popular and influential ensembles in modern Irish music.

Beoga (Irish word for ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim, in the north of Ireland. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works - wonderfully well. The Irish Times states, “Individually talented and collectively inspired, (Beoga) speak a language called music with a fluency beloved of the best multi-linguists.”

Beoga is world music, made in Ireland and the release of Beoga’s 2009 album ‘The Incident’ has seen the supergroup continue to blaze a pioneering trail, rewarding fans with their fresh creative energy and seducing a diverse array of music lovers. The string of accolades from the music industry say it best, “Beoga are at the forefront of the Irish new wave,” Irish Music Magazine concludes. “Simply thrilling, an auditory high-wire act without a net,” writes Irish Philadelphia. “Riveting,” says the Wall Street Journal.

The band was drawn together in 2002 after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious session at the All-Ireland Fleadh. From the beginning Beoga was endowed with massive musical talent, featuring the twin dueling accordians of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley and four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray. In 2005, the lineup was complete, with the addition of Niamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, on vocals and fiddle.

In 2004, the band released their ground-breaking debut album 'a lovely madness', to critical and popular acclaim in Ireland, Europe and America. The repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements earned the album 9/10 in Ireland’s Hot Press music magazine and was one of the Top Trad/Folk Albums of the year. Irish Music Magazine declared Beoga to be a “phenomenon” and the group were nominated for the 2005 best traditional newcomer’s award. “This rhythm-oriented contemporary reworking of heritage is unbeatable,” wrote Philadelphia City Paper.

The group’s second release, entitled ‘Mischief’, firmly catapulted Beoga into the upper stratum of trad bands from Ireland today. Receiving excellent reviews across the board, including a phenomenal 9.5/10 rating from Hot Press, ‘Mischief’ was deemed one of the top folk albums of 2007 at the Live Ireland Music Awards, the German Music Awards, and received honours in many notable publications including the Boston Globe, The Irish Echo, Dirty Linen Magazine, Folk Alley and Hot Press magazine. The Chicago American Times enthused, “This is a major major band to be reckoned with… super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm, with a real sense of style and wit.” 

A series of TV and radio appearances followed fast and furious for the band, gaining notoriety for its charismatic rapport with audiences and the highly inventive, energetic performances. In September 2007, Beoga performed live with the BBC Orchestra to a television audience of millions as part of the prestigious ‘Last night of the Proms’. Major Celtic and Folk festival highlights have included Boston ICONS festival, North Texas Irish Festival, Kansas City, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Tonder, Dranouter, Open House festival in Belfast, Temple Bar Trad Fest in Dublin, the World Fleadh, Germany’s Irish Folk Festival tour, the Irish Unplugged tour of Holland, the Guinness Christmas Austria tour, Cambridge Folk Festival and Glasgow’s Celtic Connections. In March 2009, during their final performance at Houston International Festival, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee honoured Beoga with the Dr. Paul Zanowiak Award for Best New Artist, presenting a certificate of Congressional Recognition from the US House of Representatives.

With their unique blend of inventive arrangements, virtuosi instrumental talents and beautiful vocals, Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish as they captivate audiences on a global scale.

 

the band

Seán Óg Graham: button accordian, guitar

From Portglenone, Co. Antrim, Seán Óg Graham is one of Ireland’s most dynamic young button accordion players. He has achieved numerous All-Ireland titles and is also a gifted, self-taught guitarist.

He has several television appearances to his credit, and has appeared as guest soloist with the Irish Harp Orchestra, the Canadian Youth Orchestra and Alan Kelly’s ‘Celtic Legends’ show. He has recorded with various Irish musicians and recently he has been accompanying ‘Solas’ members Winifred Horan and Mick McAuley at their ‘Serenade’ concerts in Ireland and Europe. 

Seán Óg is a talented composer and a wide range of influences is evident in his music writing. He is a graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at Limerick University, where he has been guided by some of the finest musicians in the world.

 

Eamon Murray: bodhrán, percussion

Eamon Murray from Randalstown, Co. Antrim is one of the most respected young bodhrán players in Irish music. Described by Johnny McDonagh (De Dannan/Arcady) as “the future of bodhrán playing”, and by the Irish Echo’s Earle Hitchner as “one of the most captivating bodhrán players I've heard in years”, Eamon has held the All-Ireland Bodhrán title on four occasions. Irish Music Magazine writes, “Murray has got to be the most talented up and coming bodhrán player in Ireland today.”

Eamon has performed alongside many distinguished artists including Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Liam O’Maonlai and was highly commended in the 2004 Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year competition.

 

Liam Bradley: piano

On piano/keyboard, Liam Bradley from Tobermore, Co. Derry is known throughout the world for his music for Irish dancing. He has produced recordings and provided accompaniment for major Irish Dancing events, including the All Ireland, American and Australian National Championships and the World Championships.

His music has been used for many shows and performances, from the Royal Albert Hall, Áras an Uachtaráin and the White House, to a ‘Barney the Dinasaur’ DVD. He also arranged the music for the RTE television series “Rising Steps”

Over the last few years, Liam has made the transition from keyboards to piano, bringing a fresh approach to traditional piano playing.

 

Damian McKee: button accordion

Damian McKee, from Dunloy, Co. Antrim, is a top exponent on button accordian. In the 90’s he toured Ireland, Britain and America with Comhaltas Ceolteori Eireann and over the last few years he has continued to travel worldwide as his music became popular within Irish dance circles. He is a prolific composer and many of his works feature in the Beoga repertoire.

Through his teaching, Damian’s influence on traditional accordian playing in the North of Ireland is far-reaching. He is in frequent demand for workshops throughout Ireland, as well as the USA and Canada.

 

Niamh Dunne: Vocals, Fiddle

Niamh Dunne is a highly accomplished singer, songwriter, fiddler and composer from Co. Limerick. Daughter of well-known piper Mickey Dunne, Niamh has made guest appearances on several CD’s over the years. Her 2004 album, ‘Legacy’, was recorded with her father and sister Bríd, and featured among the Irish Echo top traditional albums of 2004

Niamh is a well-respected classical violinist, twice receiving the high achievers award from the London Associated Board of Western Art Music, with whom she is a qualified teacher. She is also a graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick University.

Prior to joining Beoga in 2005, Niamh had toured extensively with the Dunne family, and also played on the world stage with the acclaimed music and dance show "Ragús".