– Nuala Kennedy, Tara Breen and Tony Byrne with special guest Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh
Shorelines is a new thematic recording by singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy, which has received acclaim, both for its concept and its musicianship, in national press at home & abroad. It tells the story of a resilient seaborne heroine, who faces hardship & adversity. However, she surmounts her trials, embarking on a redemptive voyage towards success & prosperity — a rare narrative in the realm of traditional song!
Nuala Kennedy who grew up playing traditional music in Dundalk, Co. Louth often steps outside of that genre – she works with the well known American Indi-poet Bonnie Prince Billy (with whom she will tour Ireland/UK later this year) Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) and Mike Scott (The Waterboys) amongst others. She has also recorded improvised soundtracks to the hit TV series ‘American Gods’ while living in Los Angeles. For this tour she will travel with ‘Shorelines Trio’ – featuring Clare fiddle virtuoso Tara Breen (The Chieftains) and the stunning Dublin guitarist Tony Byrne (Danu).
Shorelines also features a different special guest in each county it performs in. The Special guest for the Donegal date of the tour is Altan’s incomparable Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh whose prescence adds a sense of adventure and spontaneity to the performance, bringing an element of the unexpected and unknown where musical magic is created.
Says Nuala: ‘I can’t wait to bring the music of Shorelines to audiences around the country. It has been a long time brewing in my mind, and now the music is out there and alive, and developing further as we perform it. Sometimes the role of women historically was notable but perhaps not highlighted; with this tour we can shine a light on the work of some of our foremothers while also playing some great live music. Tara and Tony are internationally regarded players and have performed in huge venues around the world. Now we have the opportunity to perform together in trio for local venues across Ireland.
Tales of fortitude and resilience, endurance and grit fuel this exceptional concept album from the singer, flute and whistle player and composer Nuala Kennedy. Shorelines is a collection of tales of women who run the gamut from plain survival to utter triumph in the face of life’s adversities, with tales that cross the centuries and the oceans with the ease of a bird on the wing * * * * THE IRISH TIMES
Shorelines the fifth solo album from the Irish multi-instrumentalist is an exciting, inspiring and thoroughly enchanting listen * * * * * Songlines
Singing flautist and Will Oldham foil Nuala Kennedy charms on this glossy assortment of songs * * * * MOJO MAGAZINE
One of our top picks of 2023 WNCW USA
