Shantalla

The power of 'original' music...

Can traditional Irish music keep its original values and strength when developed far from its source? Yes it can!

One of the most recent examples to prove this statement is 'Shantalla', a traditional Irish/Scottish five member band, founded in Belgium. Even before they performed in homeland Ireland for the first time, they built up a remarkable reputation in Belgium and The Netherlands already among critics in the Irish/Celtic musicscene.

The other members are: Michael Horgan (uillean pipes, flute, whistles), Joe Hennon (guitar), Kieran Fahy (fiddle) and Gerry Murray (accordion, bouzouki, mandolin and whistles). Altogether a strong vocal-acoustic combination, representing a 'sound with spirit'.

The fact that Shantalla was born in Belgium is related to the migration of the bandmembers, who left Ireland, respectively Scotland, 10 to 15 years ago to settle in Belgium for several reasons. Some came to Belgium because of their daily job, others for a personal reason.

The name of the band is introduced by Kieran Fahy and Michael Horgan, after the split of the former Folkband 'Sean Talamh' in 1995, which they were part of. Two other members of that group returned to Ireland and Michael and Kieran created a new band, together with guitarist Joe Hennon and multi-instrumentalist Gerry Murray, whom they met regularly.

'Sean Talamh' is Gaelic for 'old ground or 'old country'. The decision to make a new start with a new sound, resulted in changing the name into 'Shantalla'. In 1997, the Scottish vocalist Helen Flaherty joined the group and completed the 'formula of success' the band proved to be.

Shantalla plays 'traditional' Irish and Scottish music, in a way that makes reviewers remember famous bands in the seventies, for example The 'Bothy Band'. The bandmembers say they are flattered with the comparison, but yet they don't want to be a copy of any great name in music history. Shantalla presents its own style, its own sound, which is still growing.

"The Bothy Band certainly has inspired us", Gerry Murray says. "It was a marvellous band, that played magnificent songs and tunes with driving rhythms. And there was great harmony between the members. But we don't want to do something similar. We are looking for our own style." But something Shantalla does have in common with the Bothy-Band, is this personal harmony, Michael Horgan calls 'Chemistry':

"We all have different sources and have worked together with other musicians before in Belgium and elsewhere. But the harmony between the bandmembers has never been as strong as it is within Shantalla. In fact the founding of the band has been a process of several steps. During the first two years, we were still looking for new talent to complete our 'formation' and we had several try-outs. We were looking for a 'strong voice', a singer who could play an instrument in addition. Then in 1997 Helen joined us and from the very first moment we all had the feeling that we matched perfectly. And that turned out to be very true!" Helen Flaherty as a 'secret binder in the band'? "No, I think the real secret is that every member brings something specific", Helen says.

"We all have different skills, but the way they fit together makes it a unique combination, that provides also a unique sound. If any of us, no matter who, would leave the band, it wouldn't be Shantalla anymore!"

Shantalla started performing at relatively small folk clubs and festivals in Belgium and The Netherlands, but reactions of the audiences learned that they were evolving quickly and would soon be ready for more. But the band took its time before releasing their first debut-album in 1998. Joe Hennon: "We are glad we had the opportunity to build up our sound in comfortable conditions, step by step. It took two years to reach the level of today. Our first live-performances during festivals, gave us the confidence that we had found our link with the audience. But we're still working to improve our sound, day by day. When we recorded our first album in 1998 we were not as experienced as we are today. We've gone from playing 80-seat clubs to selling-out 800-seat theatres and we are so much sharper as a band now. So we are sure that you'll see the benefit of that on our second album, which we will be recording this year."

Shantalla is part of a wave of interest in traditional (Irish) folk. What explanation does the band have for this worldwide Irish-movement? Kieran Fahy: "It's more than just a revival of Irish-music. In fact there is a global growing interest in Celtic related music. You see it in any country with Celtic history: Successful bands and artists in this genre are not only rising in Ireland and Scotland, but also in Canada, the US, Australia, and parts of western Europe with Celtic history, like Galicia and Brittany. Celtic influences seem to be growing everywhere and there are a lot of very popular and successful bands currently: Altan, Dervish, Solas, Lunasa for example." Shantalla provides a mix of Irish and Scottish music. How do these influences match and is there any difference between traditional Irish music and traditional Scottish anyway? Helen (proud of her Scottish origin): "Not really. There has been a lot of mixing between the Irish and Scottish civilisation throughout the ages. My family name for example is Irish from origin. There's also a lot of correspondence in the traditional songs. most people think that we are an 'Irish' band, but 80 percent of the songs we sing are Scottish."

A special moment for the band was the first performance they gave in Ireland in 1999. And an important moment for the image of the band too. Michael: "Some critics have the opinion that a traditional Irish folkband is only successful when the Irish audience likes their music. And, although four of us are Irish from origin, we didn't play in Ireland before with Shantalla. But we had excellent reviews, so we passed through our crucial test comfortably."

Helen adds with a laugh: "We also didn't perform in Scotland yet! I think we have to confront the audience there too..."

Shantalla's debut-album 'Shantalla', which was released by Wild Boar Music at the end of 1998, is selling very well. Joe: "For a traditional band, we've already sold a lot of albums in Belgium, Holland, Ireland and France, but we know we haven't even scratched the surface yet, because the CD was only released in the USA in February 2000, and it is due for release in the UK shortly. It is also just beginning in countries like Spain, Germany, Portugal and Italy, so the future looks bright."

Shantalla is making plans for the future now, which means preparing for their second album and on their launch for concert tours in Europe and even other continents. Gerry: "We want to do more than we do now. We are only just beginning and we see a long future ahead of us doing what we love most, playing music."

Watching a performance of Shantalla means more than just enjoying original and traditional music. These fine young musicians have a close interaction with the audience and provide 'musical entertainment'. Helen is a start in explaining the backgrounds of their songs, revealing some historic events from ancient Scotland and Ireland on which some songs are based. In a few words: Shantalla: A delight to watch and listen for the real fans of traditional music.