LINKS
www.seasicksteve.com
King of the Hobo Blues and currently enjoying a meteoric rise to the stars, this is the man who inspired last year's Low Down Hoedown series, got himself on Jools Holland's New Year's Eve hootenanny and is the owner of a fine old '47 Indian Chief. Got rid of his 1962 Panhead Duo Glide on ebay last year though. Can you believe it folks ? And got a damn good price for it too he did. Email me and I will tell ya exactly how much
www.myspace.com/earlbrothers
Hillbilly Goth right outta NoCal - that's Northern California if you don't know.... This is one gig I am certainly looking forward to. I like their vibe a lot. Yeah, kinda dark and nasty but still wholesome.... Very, very honoured to have these boys at our humbe lil oul festival. They are special, in a special sorta way.
www.christymoore.com
The man lent his voice and offered his support to the www.myspace.com/savetherotterdam campaign and I think that is mighty fine. Don't think it was prompted either. He still has balls then...
www.crowmedicine.com
Old Crow Medicine Show - Their vibe and their music is what Open House is all about this year. You know what we mean ? Sure you don't. They are also just about the coolest band on the planet right now. Yeah, critters, I just about rekkon that fact.
www.tandemdesign.co.uk
Print design specialists and designers of the Open House Festival programme, posters, invites etc.
www.timobrien.net
We are not worthy. No, really we aren't. The world is a cruel, unfair place as we all well know and in a perfect, just world Tim O'Brien would be enjoying the sort of status, fame & wealth that U2, George Micheal or that other twat, Elton John, currently lavish in. The man is a genius and yes, we agree, he is one of triplets separated at birth - Paul Brady, Frankie Gavin & Tim O' Brien.
www.solasmusic.com
The Irish-American band that has taken us nine years to get to come to Open House. Not their fault of course, their busy people, dates don't always work out, that sorta thang. But here they are. Should be good. Real good.
www.pineleafboys.com
We think these boys are gonna have a ball at Open House and rip right through ChilliFest. They is right for it right now I think and they will love the spirit that lies in Irish music. Don't expect these nice fellas is gonna sleep much. Buy these boys a drink if you meet 'em. They won't bite....
www.mamouplayboys.com
They is the Kings of Cajun and they is gonna rock the joint on our Saturday night. If you like to have a wee drink and a wee bop on a Saturday night then.... danger, stay away..... we can't afford to bury you because you will die of happiness. Can I not stop running this festival and just go and enjoy myself at it like everyone else. It's not fair...
www.theagnostics.com
Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir: They ain't from the mountains, they ain't a choir but they WILL make a believer out of you. It's so good it"s sinful
www.myspace.com/thedestroyersplaymusic
The Destroyers: If you have the potential to completely lose it at festivals - and hey, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, it's happened to the best of us - and I mean to really lose your mind, in a Glastonbury, very top of the Green Fields, summer solstice is tonight ! kinda way, then I don't think you should go and see this band. Unless you don't care what your mates think. They are very mad. Very brilliant too and we love 'em cause they is real music mavericks. Bit like a frenzied Baltic version of Kangaroo Moon on three trips rather than one. Can't wait myself ! Bring it on
www.themountainfireworkcompany.com
I think this is one of the best band websites I have seen in several years. I also think they are an excellent band. No bullshit with them and I love their warm, yet clever lyrics and gorgeous tunes. Nice one fellas, hope you enjoy your (re)visit to Belfast. I think they will be nursing their very own hangovers when they do their gig at the Hewitt on the Sunday afternoon 'cause I hope they enjoy themselves all w/end. Just like the Bothy band used to do.
www.atfirstlight.net
I know the guys in this band reasonably well and I have to admit that when I saw them do an acoustic gig in Co. Down earlier this year I was completely blown away. I have been to manys a gig but this was simply brilliant and the level of musicianship was really quite staggering. You can't hide in those sorts of gigs, there's no PA to help cover things up a tad and the five lads really shone as a band. The freshest of fresh air in Irish music in a very long time.
www.duhks.com
I have to admit that I don't know as much about this Canadian roots music band as I do about other bands at this year's festival. I know enough to predict that they will deliver at our festival finale along with Crooked Still so I guess that's kinda alright. Of course it is. See you at the finale folks and don't buy me a beer even if it is my 40th birthday. I may go missing for a week - or two and I am a responsible adult these days. Festival to run, children to feed, mortage to pay, doors to lock, windows to shut, people to pay.... mines a Becks.
www.crookedstill.com
Young, funky and contempory take on Bluegrass and Old-Time stuff. Very musical, a lotta fun and from the Eastern Seaboard of the US of A.
www.flook.co.uk
Award winning UK/Ireland Roots band who have special affinity with Open House festival. Not here this year though. Gotta give them a rest
www.blackboxmusic.ie
Alan Kelly site. A very fine musician from the county of Roscommon and a very fair minded musician he is too.
www.lunasa.ie
Another great Irish band. Keep on rockin' in the free world.
www.jimimon.com
Jim is the man behind this great website.
www.toobadjim.co.uk
An additional site from Jim and specifically for his gig/rock posters.
www.prisonlove.info
Inmates of the Bluegrass Correctional Facility. We love Prison Love. See 'em live folks and find out why.
www.foghornmusic.com
Probably the best string band in the world. A fine bunch of fellas. We love 'em too.
www.dirkpowell.com
The 2006 Artist-in-Residence and boy, what an intelligent musicial dude he is. Old-Time, Cajun, Jazz, you name it, the critter can sure do it.
www.swampmusic.co.uk
A comprehensive guide for all things Cajun and Zydeco taking place in the UK and premier booking agency for both UK and US Cajun bands. Chris is the Cajun man.
www.unionavenue.co.uk
A genuine tribute to Johnny Cash - like you've never heard before. Excellent band and looking forward to our Johnny Cash night. Be there - or be elsewhere, I suppose
www.johnnycash.com
An exceptional website. Really is worth visiting. Loads of songs on it. Fair play to those who have set this up and thank ye kindly.
www.beogamusic.com
Trad innovators from the northern shore of the lough - on a jazz and classical tip. Nice.
www.hayseed-dixie.com
The boys are back in town. Be careful, they may sell you a poop in a jar.
www.hillstomp.com
Another very nice young bunch of fellas from a very nice place called Portland in the state of Oregon. Though they do play the North Mississippi Hill Country Blues. Yes sir.
www.dickgaughan.co.uk
Official site for the big man but has anyone seen a recent photo of him lately cause I sure ain't ? Take a picture someone.
www.dangblues.com
A one-man punk blues explosion from Motor City, Michigan. Original, in-yer-face and outta sight. There ain't many like Bob.
www.jeffandvida.com
The three-piece from New Orleans who pump out like a powerhouse. Original American Bluegrassy vibe meshed with strong but alternative country undertones. Great harmonies, slap-you-in-the-face-upright-bass, guitar, banjo and bit of fiddle all make for tight playing. Grizzled tales of murder, revengeful spite and downtrodden luck.
www.fiddlefair.com
Mid-May, Baltimore, West Cork is the time and place to be. You'll go back every year. Tell Mr Nice we sent ya.
www.belfasttrad.com
Belfast Set Dancing & Traditional Music Society. Good folks who run regular and high quality classes, concert & ceilidhs.
www.ryan-adams.com
Our favourite singer/songwriter - ever. Bet he'll never play Open House though. Too big for us and a nightmare to work with, allegedly. But he IS the best.
www.gignthebann.com
Great annual music festival that takes place in Portglenone. High quality music concerts, lots of sessions and all with a genuine cross- community spirit. Eoghan O'Brien - he's the daddy.
www.katerusby.com
The wonderfully charming queen of English folk. Not sure about the thing with Ronan though....
www.conamara.org
Very helpful site on brillant maverick film-maker, photographer and writer, Bob Quinn. Should be next President of Ireland.
www.damhsoir.ie
Site for Comortas Choilin Sheain Dharach - a sean-nos dancing competition in Ros Muc, Connemara.
www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com
Very good site from Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen, Co Monaghan.
www.karancasey.com
Site for excellent Irish singer and all round good egg, Karan Casey. Congrats to Karan & Niall on No. 2
www.kittylieover.com
Album site for Mick O'Brien and Caoimhin O Raghallaigh.
www.gradamusic.com
Site for Dublin based band, Grada. Good, good guys who have turned us on to a few great bands, notably Crooked Still.
www.madfortrad.com
Useful and friendly site with strong tutorial aspect. Great site run by musicians.
www.johnbvallely.com
One of Ireland's greatest living painters whose passion for traditional music spans four decades.
www.armaghpipers.com
Armagh Pipers Club, founded in the mid 1960s and organisers of the William Kennedy Piping Festival which takes place in Armagh each November.
www.cqaf.com
Website for the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival which is a great, left-of-centre, fringe type arts festival that takes place in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter each May.
www.johnhewitt.org
Site for the John Hewitt International Summer School
www.johnmcsherry.com
Virtuoso Belfast piper.
www.donaloconnor.com
Excellent Louth fiddle player now firmly based in Belfast. Formed At First Light with John McSherry.
http://bluegrassireland.blogspot.com
Great new blog for all up-to-date info about anything to do with Bluegrass and Old Time music in Ireland.
www.thebluegrassblog.com
The definitive source of news and views on all things Bluegrass in America.
BBC festival launch video with Elvis - The Bluegrass Years
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