Altan Comes to ECA
Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) is bracing itself for the arrival of Altan on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 7:30 pm. The members of this Irish traditional band are undoubtedly giant figures on the international folk music scene.
In the last dozen years, no traditional Irish band has had a wider impact on audiences and music lovers throughout the world than Altan. They have moved audiences from Donegal to Tokyo to Seattle with their heartwarming, dynamic live performances and with their exquisitely produced, award-winning recordings that range from the most touching old Irish songs to hard-hitting reels and jigs.
Altan's international status and success found a very practical recognition when they were signed in 1996 to Virgin Records, making them the first Irish band of their kind to be signed by a major label. The band gained gold and platinum albums in Ireland and toured larger venues throughout the world – in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, as well as regular successful U.S. tours.
The title of Altan’s latest release, The Widening Gyre, is borrowed from W.B. Yeats poem “The Second Coming.” With renewed energy and introducing new band member Martin Tourish on accordion, the band recorded in Nashville to collaborate with long-time friends and guests to bring this album to the world.
“The music on this album examines the lifecycle of Altan by exploring the influence of Appalachian music on Irish music,” says lead vocalist, fiddler and founding member Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan’s new studio album The Widening Gyre.
After nearly 35 years together—the longest running lineup of founding members in Irish music—the members of Altan were ready to flex their musical boundaries when they started talking to Compass co-founder Garry West about the direction for their latest project. With Garry in the producer’s chair and many good friends in the studio, Altan fused the traditional Irish music that they are known for, namely Donegal fiddling and Gaelic singing traditions, with American roots music, particularly that of the Appalachian bluegrass fiddle.
Tickets are $24, $29 & $34. Youth/Student $15. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ec4arts.org , through the ECA Box Office located at 410 Fourth Avenue North, or by calling 425.275.9595. ECA is a proud member of TeenTix, and offers $5 tickets to teens at the Box Office on the day of the performance, pending availability. To become a TeenTix member, register at www.teentix.org.
